Loulou

22 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

Thanks 

Indeed the likely fees for any of these ‘graduate’ type programmes or pay to do ‘apprenticeship’  type programmes…do they tend to run along a school year basis (eg. Sept-July I’m 3 terms in UK? Not a clue about overseas timings though looking at the Milwaukee link their Summer intensive starts in June so way earlier than UK schools break….

Am finding this all very depressing….graduates by the very name suggests to me training is complete & our dancers should be job ready & able to earn money….Are we all just prolonging the agony of realisation that there are too many adequate dancers for too few jobs? 

My dd is currently doing a pre professional programme in Europe, albeit in contemporary, she graduated last year and missed 2 of the 9 degree terms of studio training due to covid, plus there were virtually no jobs being advertised, so we agreed to one more year of funding her but that was it, she either needs a paid job or a “ normal” job which she readily agrees with. It was about a third cheaper for the fees than anything in the uk and her rent and what we give her to live on is what we were paying for her rent alone for her degree, so we just saw it as a 4th year of training , keeping her training up whilst applying for jobs . There are a lot more jobs being advertised this year, compared to last year, if it doesn’t work out, she will at least have got go live and dance in a beautiful city, but we all fully accept this will be the end of the road if she doesn’t get a job. She is also a qualified RAD teacher so that is an option.  Oh and her course is 10 months, Oct to June, only break is 2 weeks at Xmas, not sure about Easter at the moment. 

My 19 year old dd has one Claudia Dean as they are very expensive to import and we got stung with import duty as well, so would not buy another for the cost but she likes and it is flattering. A special leotard for her would be a yumiko that she can design herself, she has a few of those as they are unique, well unless someone does the exact same design 

HTH 

Hi, I would feel exactly the same smoking is a big no no for me and fortunately my dd feels more strongly than I do about it. However one of her former ballet teachers went to one of the big Ballet schools, this was probably 30 or so years ago and they were actively encouraged to smoke as an appetite suppressant, this was also in the days that they would weigh the pupils. I’m just wondering if that has anything to do with it, not necessarily encouraged by the school hopefully anymore but maybe just known that’s what it does. Just a thought, hopefully not . 

Hi Shauna, definitely try The Brighton Academy, my dd is currently in 3rd year of a BA ballet, the teachers and principals are all great, friendly and approachable and there are definitely students on the course who are 19/20. As others have said it’s degree funded by student finance. I’m sure if you call them or email they will give you more information. 

My dd graduates this year and unlike some has an idea of what she wants to do if she cannot get a dance job, she has a passion for history and it came down to the wire whether it was dance or history and chose dance as it’s more age/ time constrictive. I’m sure she would happily now do a history degree but has no a levels and has already used her degree funding. She will be qualified as a RAD teacher this summer so that is something .  She wants to do contemporary rather than ballet but don’t think that path is any easier 

1 hour ago, sillysally said:

Hi all,

 

glissade - thanks for the thoughts and idea....I might go down the second opinion route....i think we need some honest feedback so we can establish a plan!

our dance teachers are not the best at giving objective feedback.

 

Balletpower - I think our teacher maybe a little naive in how competitive the dance world is these days!

 

glowlight - yes thanks, I did read the thread and i took some courage from it 😄 i think its best we focus on some mid term future such as summer courses etc 

 

To everyone - i badly need to improve my skills for quoting and answering messages on this forum!  Please excuse my rubbish style....🤪 

 

 

Has you DD tried The Brighton Acadamy, not many of heard of them as more musical Theatre/ performing Arts, but they have started a BA in ballet, my dd is in 3rd year and is very impressed with the quality of the teachers and teaching and she has been on most summer courses/ intensives and been taught previously by ex Birmingham Royal Ballet and Royal Ballet teachers. If not might be worth a look. They also do contemporary and jazz.

My dd also graduates this year,  her school however are looking at the possibility of a 4th year due to lack of practical training as an option.  She is also fortunate to have an Irish passport as her Dad is Irish and we applied last year,  it came fairly quickly.  I'm also encouraging her to look at MA's, encouraging her interest in photography and she will qualify as a RAD teacher this summer,  think its a case of exploring all income streams possible and all options out there,  but its so hard.  We have had lots of "what's the point " conversations. Can see us funding her in some way for at least another 12 months

https://www.thebrightonacademy.com/

17 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Do you have a link for the Brighton Academy please. When I googled it various ballet schools came up on the search.

I don't seem to be able to post a link, but its theBrightonAcademy.com, site is black background with purple/ blue logo,  also known as TBA, let me know if you still can't find it. 

My dd  is in 3rd year at The Brighton Academy having transferred from another school as mentioned below, she is doing the BA Ballet degree which has full student funding. The teachers are amazing ex royal ballet, Matthew Bourne etc, and its a small and very friendly and welcoming school. Whilst ballet is the main focus they do contemporary and jazz and the school also has great contacts and patrons. They are taking into 1st year in Sept 21.

38 minutes ago, Justkeepsmiling said:

Brighton Academy have started up a BA degree with ballet as the main focus. They took some second and third years from another ballet school that closed and can’t be mentioned on this forum. I think they are offering a first year from Sept 2021 but you would need to check that out. 
 

Have you thought about any that offer Dance and Drama Award funding? They are means tested and dependent on your parents’ income, you may get some help with living costs. KS Dance in Warrington or Northern Ballet School in Manchester have options to study ballet as a main subject with other dance styles included. 
 

I hope this helps 😃

2 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

I had wondered about the whole mix of day pupils & boarders....almost thinking that it’d be ‘easier’ to open just to boarders who could almost be ‘self isolated’ in small groups - a small group sleeping in same dorm, using same dining table & taught together initially for 2 weeks to monitor for any symptoms etc.... then groups could be reintroduced to be together....but then I think better to do away with exeat/half term....& not sure families would cope with all that? Maybe Upper School age? 

These are just musings....from a mum with kids desperate to be back at school (& let’s just say I’m enthusiastic fir that too!! 🍷🍷🍷) 

That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking, even go back 2 weeks early to go the 14 day isolation, easier for upper school I agree, especially those living independently, just isolate with house mates 

Yep, mantelpiece is the barre, rug rolled up and as we have a lounge/ diner, OH working at the dining table in the background whilst I work upstairs !

12 hours ago, TinyNEDancer said:

Oh that’s also interesting - thank you! Are you in the South, Wales or NI? The results I know of so far have all been in those areas. I hope that it was good news for your DD😊

She took the exam in Glasgow, yes she got a distinction which she is extremely happy about, thanks

My dd did her adv 2 on 13/ 3 and her school called her with the result on Friday last week.

HTH

18 hours ago, Tutumuchmum said:

Congratulations to your daughter , hope she had a wonderful time . 

She did thank you, it was a couple of years ago now. 

On 23/02/2020 at 17:55, TinyNEDancer said:

At one of the most recent auditions (end of last year) there were 3 half scholarships awarded, rather than one full and one half. Well definitely for the Juniors anyway. 
 

On this, does anyone know if this makes any difference/has any impact at all once they start rehearsing? My DD was awarded one and is due to begin rehearsals soon. I think she’s slightly apprehensive that there will be some extra expectations. I’m not sure there will be but it’s best to be prepared! 

My dd received the full senior scholarship and apart from having her photo taken on audition day and having to complete an email questionnaire about her ballet experience there was no extra expectation, in fact, I’m fairly sure it wasn’t mentioned during rehearsals at all. 

3 hours ago, balletbean said:

Oh. That’s interesting, when I did research this pathway I was told no because the applicant was too young. 
Another frustrating factor is that many schools/colleges offer a Diploma Level 6. As we know it’s the vocational equivalent of a BA but doesn’t carry the same merit when seeking Student Loans. 
 

Yes it’s very frustrating my dd did not audition for any dada/ level 6 as we could not afford the rent/ living costs on top of the dada cost , apart from Elmhurst as she could have lived at home. 

re how you find out, everywhere dd looked at it was made clear on the website if it was degree funded via student finance. Or part funded as pictures says if a private institution and if you needed a levels/ BTEC or GCSE 

6 minutes ago, balletbean said:

From my research, no they can’t apply fur a uni route funding as the pupils are too young. Have to be over 18 which we all know at the time of starting US pupils are 16/17yrs. Parents can’t apply on their behalf either. Parents would have to seek independent loans from a reputable loan company but obviously that then holds the usual repayment arrangements as any loan would be unlike student loans. 
It is incredibly hard. Try your local authority for any Bursaries available in your area for some additional support. 

That’s incorrect my dd is at vocational school, started at 16 doing a BA ballet degree and has full degree funding via student finance, you do not need to be 18 they just need to be studying a degree that is recognised for student funding. Obviously not all upper schools offer a degree. 

HTH

My dd hasn’t done summer school but did audition for full time, and we looked around liberty living, every few rooms share a kitchen and also it is right in the centre of Glasgow so plenty of places to eat. 

Annette Nicholson of Nicholson School of dance in Birmingham is an amazing teacher, ex brb dancer and is royal mid associates teacher, she does fortnightly associate classes on a Sunday from age 10, might be worth a look. I’m fairly sure she will also do a one off assessment of potential. 

We are doing the same, my husband is Irish, so my dd although born here is automatically an Irish citizen, we currently have the passports form completed just waiting to be witnessed and sent, we think this is all that is needed along with my husbands birth certificate and our marriage certificate, in this scenario for dd’s Irish passport. My dd has just finished 1st year of us, so not looking for jobs yet, but I have looked at some adverts and they say, entitled to work in the EU, I’m presuming after Brexit this won’t apply to British Citizens , but I’m not sure, presumably it will require some sort of visa, suspect this will form part of any withdrawal agreement. 

My dd also went to open days at Elmhurst and RCS, both in the autumn term and advertised on the school website, both of them you had to book a place. The  Elmhurst one was called an experience day, we booked through Eventbrite it was £50 and was in the October. They got to take part in a class set up as a mock audition, parents got a school tour and a talk. RCS was also through event brite, was early November and you got a tour, to watch 3 classes and a tour of the accomadation. 

HTH

1 hour ago, FlexyNexy said:

First of all congratulations to your DC on offers!

We went through the gruelling audition process last year, so I know exactly how you feel. I think these feelings are completely normal and I would say they are “last minute stress/ doubts”. I went through it myself as I knew that our life is about to change 360 degrees. It all came around so fast.

We too had various options to choose from ballet schools including two A level normal colleges (just in case). We have spent various nights burning the midnight oil weighting financials, looking at graduate lists that the school have published, pros and cons of each school, she even talked to her friends that are now in their final year gathering feedbacks.

Many sleepless nights looking into the ceiling (mainly for me) BUT I always told her to live and pursue her dream. So why to stop now when opportunity came? I want for my DD to travel, to see opportunities that dance will bring and then when body no longer can support it, she will have time to retrain and pursue other passions or 9-5 job. She was always very vocal that she wants to pursue forensics after her ballet life. She will have roof over her head, food to eat so why not.

You can retrain at any stage of your life. I am 38 and retrained now twice. One of my latest degrees was financed by my employer. There are opportunities and possibilities. And imagine I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up 😁
What I don’t want is to have daughter living in regrets and telling me why she didn’t follow her passion when she could and had the opportunity. But then it will be too late to dance.

Regarding London and housing there are many other options. For example hosting family. I know many would choose to stay with their peers and friends but for some finances would not allow it. I used that option when my DD travelled for her summer programs and I offer the same for international and national students while she is at her school away from home.  

I would not worry at all about your DC to "join an established year group". She might surprise you how easy she will fit in and find new friends.
My DD is 4,000 miles away on her own doing everything on her own (away from boarding) and coping very well. Making friends was my least worry. 

Good luck, be proud of her achievements xxx

I agree with every single word of this, my dd is 16 , studying a dance degree, living independently 400 miles away and loves every minute and couldn’t be happier, I ask her often if she wishes she was doing a levels and I get a resounding no in reply, even though this was very much on her radar. That does not mean I don’t question often if we have done the right thing in letting her go, I could never stop her trying to live her dream. 

I know of 2 non vocational offered 6.1 and both took up offers elsewhere 

On 05/05/2019 at 17:41, BalletBear said:

Hi! I’ve got my audition time for this coming Saturday (the 11th) and I’m in Group 5 for the Extended Associates. Does anyone know what I could expect in the audition? Will there be pointe work? Thank you xxx

My Dd's audition consisted of her taking part in one of the classes, before they started the formal auditions. However I think the audition runs like a normal class. I can tell you a class consists of barre work, then centre work, groups of 3 or 4 from the corner doing combinations of exercises and then in lines where the front line is rotated, this was the same for auditions for upper school.  The class is very focused on technique . i doubt there is pointe work as the preliminary audition for upper school doesnt include pointe work.