Ruby Foo

The turn out disks are very effective in working the gluteus muscles which, when strengthened in the appropriate way, effectively ‘ hold’ the turnout of the legs in the outward position. Many dance based Pilates and gyrotonic teachers use them for this purpose. I don’t know where you’re based but if you can find a Pilates or gyrotonic teacher who has a dance background then they can supervise you in using them as it’s very important to maintain the correct posture while using them. It will also save you buying them, as they are fairly pricey! I can recommend a place in London and Glasgow if this is of any help.

I can recommend RoyalConservatoire in Glasgow. It’s non residential but as there are no audition requirements, the standard is very mixed, so no need for your Dd to stress about being at any level, other than the guidelines are inter foundation. My Dd has done high profile summer schools but she will still say this is her favourite! The scenery around Glasgow is nothing short of spectacular too! I can also recommend the RAD summer school which again has very mixed standards but fantastic teaching. I think it’s usually in August though, so probably too late. Does your Dd do any exams in a particular syllabus such as RAD? Working at intermediate level would probably be an approximate guideline for 14 yrs. Hope you find something!

The results usually come out a few days/ a week after the last audition session... usually London. They usually come out in session order, so Newcastle first, if that was the 1st location.

It’s definitely not too late but taking a carefully thought out approach with excellent teachers who have a track record of student success, would be the way to go. That way, your Dd can determine if she is continuing to enjoy the training as she goes along, rather than making a quick decision now when she is really inexperienced and knows nothing of what lies ahead in a dance career. Most auditions at 11 yrs are around Gr 3 standard and ballet focused, so I would advise cutting back on some of her other classes such as acrobatics and focus on the ballet technique for the time being. Feeling confident in an audition is so important to showing herself off to her best. Starting with a couple of good associate classes per week will lead the way to vocational training ( in any discipline) should she wish. Most vocational schools take a few pupils in each year although 11 and 16 are the main routes. Yr 10 is also popular before GCSE’s start. Obviously, there are the physical aspects to consider too. Associates are looking for wide ranging physiques depending on where you apply but all with the promise of coping with the physical demands of Dance training.

Boots. 2 fine hair nets (as opposed to the bun nets, which are not big enough). Wrap round twice. 2 shades of brown, black and blonde.

Exams are there for everyone, if they wish to ensure a certain standard is being reached. Whether you pass an exam with a pass or distinction, regardless of the mark, a certain standard has been met and that’s the point. Most students whether at vocational or not, will be wanting those markers as they train because it is helpful to know they are on course. The mark obtained is a personal achievement and nothing that can be compared to others working with different bodies and entirely different issues. At the end of the day, no Director of a classical company or West End choreographer is going to give two hoots what mark you got for any of your exams whether it be primary or advanced, as most of the world do not take exams and manage perfectly well without them, if not better!

I’ve never seen toe protectors on soft blocks as it’s just the underside of the shoe that tends to wear away. I guess that you might have them if you’ve broken them down from pointe shoes. Some students do darn them but even that is unusual nowadays.

Would it be possible to stay at the old school for ballet and do Jazz/ modern at the new school? Some schools are very accommodating about pupils attending another school if it’s different styles of dance. I’m sure you’ve checked the new school credentials fully, but sometimes a school that offers ‘everything’ is not necessarily better in terms of ‘quality’ teaching. Maybe it is just time to bite the bullet and move on.

I couldn’t agree more Peanut 68. Although she felt blessed that particular year, it came after 2 years of wait list and a heap of intense hard work so I hope that gives those of you on waitlist some hope. RBS, rightly or wrongly use the intensives as a sort of pre- audition. Same with most of the big schools such as Elmhurst, SAB, Princess Grace, Paris Opera.

My Dd was offered a place at summer intensive after attending the Easter course. We hadn’t applied to do both.

Do you mean for RBS upper school? Boys or girls? Don’t have a clue re the boys but for girls, as far as I know, only one SA2 student was accepted ( she was a student at another vocational) compared with 5 from WL.

Totally empathise!!! We have found that some of the smaller, low profile summer schools can be equally worthwhile ( if not more) and slightly cheaper. Smaller classes, more corrections and easier to make friends. If you have any friends or distant relatives living in UK then being a day student can work out a cheaper option.

At 14, they are expected to do 2 weeks ‘intensive’ training. It’s the same for ENB and many of the international summer schools. There are 4 classes a day including ballet, repertoire, contemporary/ jazz, pointe work and character. Not sure re boys classes though. The standard is high as you would expect. The accommodation is modern and dormitories of 2 sharing. The students are mainly international. They tend to pair English speaking students together. There are activities arranged for the middle weekend. Parents can watch classes on the last day. It is a ‘full on’ and worthwhile couple of weeks.

The audition is straightforward, around Gr4 standard, with some Center practice and basic pirouettes added. The Director talks about seeing that special sparkle, especially in the eyes. Good Luck!

Technically,It would still be possible to get a ‘yes’ for Summer programme but with a large proportion of students coming from abroad it would be unusual. There are usually only approx 4 British students in each class of 28 at summer school. Easter course does not appeal so much to international student due to dates of school terms and the Easter festival itself. There are 3 possible results I think - no, not this time, waitlist, and yes.

Not all the students at WL have flat turn out - fact! Some do, but some have to really make the most of what they have by using the correct muscles. It’s about a balance of all the components and who scores highly overall. Don’t let it put your Dd off.

Dealing appropriately with injuries, both physically and mentally, is as much part of the training, as class itself. Restraint and patience when necessary and determination and mental strength. It sounds as though you are well on the way 😊 so going slowly and steady and taking a day at a time is the way to go. I would focus on being completely physically well first, before focusing on your auditions ( easy to say!) because healing properly will mean less chance of your injuries reoccurring. You could look to Andy Murray for inspiration. He’s finally winning again after months of rehab, patience and hard graft and believing it’s possible!

We do not have any personal experience of sixth form which is what you are looking for - only lower school - happy experience! Even someone who is training at Tring may not be able to give you the whole picture as it is comparisons of training between the establishments and most importantly the hours of classical training, including pointe work, partnering work, repertoire, Character, Pilates, conditioning etc. Also, need to take into consideration the gym and physio facilities - how do they compare? Obviously Tring rates highly in the contemporary sphere which is so important nowadays even for classical dancers, but the number of hours given to other fields of dance will possibly take away from the hours of intensive classical training she would need. Our own experience was that lessons were great until showtimes/ Christmas celebrations etc, when classes became haphazard and pointework completely disappeared from the timetable for weeks on end. Character never featured in the first place. However, as the previous poster mentioned, there are dancers from Tring who have made it straight to classical companies (we personally know one who went to BRB) and if your daughter has the talent and determination then I would imagine she will be given every opportunity. Why not ask the school for a timetable? This will give you an idea?

Your Dd is still extremely young and there’s loads of time yet for her to progress and enjoy. Just because she isn’t doing a load of associate classes doesn’t mean she won’t develop and fulfill her potential. My Dd had only danced for a yr at the same age and has gradually caught up and been given chances. If she is still very impatient, then I think it’s about asking some questions re the training she is getting, her physical potential - some of which will change over time and some that won’t, her musicality, and lastly confidence in audition situations. If she loves her school then it might be tricky and detrimental to go elsewhere, even if you do decide the training would be better. That’s a lot of questions which might be difficult for a non dancer parent to answer and maybe some of the teachers suggested above might give you more of an idea, but personally, at such a young age, let her enjoy what she is doing and see where it goes. She might just need time to mature and blossom. Anna C is so right when she says that the enjoyment of the everyday journey, classes and shows etc is what it’s all about and not this perpetual striving for something which is fairly unachievable even for those at the top schools worldwide

Agree with the above. Programme of rehab by a dance physio followed by floorbarre.

From what I remember of my Dds MA class, ( a small centre with one class of English academic yrs 7,8 and 9) only 1 girl, out of the 4 yr 9s, got a place in SA’s.

Yes, Katia05. That’s right.

All the MA’s have to re- audition along with everyone else. There is a significant drop in places for SA’s in comparison to MA’s and as there is for MA’s in comparison to JA’s.

Not sure how much you get to watch your Dd in class or performing? Building on what Kate_N has mentioned, re ‘the spectators feeling something’, then feedback from yourself, as her most avid audience will be super important as a starting point. I’m sure you already do it and I don’t want to sound patronising, but feeding back something like - ‘ I felt very ? when I watched you today, will give her a starting point to how she is affecting people in a range of emotions when she dances. Of course, it needs to be honest and genuine because everyone knows when someone is commenting and it’s fake!

Showing her passion for dance, most important, but they will always be interested that she can perform other styles other than ballet ( which is the predominant part of the audition). Something leaning towards contemporary/ lyrical/ jazz goes down well, but only if she loves doing it!