PrancingMum

8 minutes ago, JanetW said:

Unfortunately, I couldn't get there...(the only possible train was at 7am due to the Aslef strike on the LNER line...I missed it. )..so one ticket free if anyone can use it. 

SCS. 

Janet W

Yes please - will PM you .

2 hours ago, Mum of unicorn dancer said:

I think this might be due to that this is now  2 years programme - last year was residential (choreography was tested and learnt) and this year is the performance year, so I do suspect that dancers who did last year might more likely be offered a place. 

From what my DC has heard this does not seem to be the case.  One dancer being made a senior company offer from her first NYB audition and another who was there last year having a waitlist for the intensive.  The days of favourites and not getting featured roles until you were known to them have long gone under the new management and ethos and this is now a very much more inclusive organisation.  Hope waitlist places come up for those still in limbo. 

On 20/06/2023 at 10:48, capybara said:

P.S. (Information passed on by a student). All the pre-professional students at the RBS have secured jobs, with 4 young women and 2 young men becoming AJYDs. But the full information on this will be set out in upcoming RBS performance programmes.

From DCs friend at ENBS the same cannot be said of their graduates.

1 hour ago, Kerfuffle said:

Absolutely - if you don’t know the outcome that is totally understandable. I was only meaning those who already knew they had places, as someone mentioned earlier.  

DCs friend didn’t go to other finals after accepting WL but have seen this year at least one DC announce accepting WL and then attend further finals and subsequently announce three offers.

1 hour ago, Mum of unicorn dancer said:

YDA graduation year 2022;

Boys - RBS, Elmhurst 

Girls - ENBS - 4 girls, RCS, Rambert, Central, Elmhurst, Laines

 

YDA do not have an Upper school so they put a lot of work into supporting pupils get into their next step schools.

The four MDS schools have pupils who continue in the school or apply elsewhere either because they don’t want to stay at the particular school or wish to change to a school with a different focus.  There will be some who choose not to continue pursuing vocational dance and focus on academic education and some who may not be offered ongoing funding.  Changes in family circumstances may also have an impact on decisions.

Those from RBS WL who are not offered Upper and wish to continue will usually be successful in getting a place at another vocational school.

There are changes from year to year at all of the schools.  What your child wants age 10/11 may not be what they aspire to at 14 or 16.  As parents and guardians we sometimes have to make practical decisions about their future.  Some pupils don’t fill their potential for all sorts of reasons.

Everyones path is different and while looking at where pupils from each school go to for Upper can give you some indication of where your DC might go in five years can’t be the focus for now.  No one year group is the same and each DC has their own experience and life trajectory.

There was an audition clash between NYB and something a few years back (can’t recall what just that DC’s friend said a number of other DCs had to decide which to attend) and they were unable to change the audition.  Hope you get this resolved.  DC loved NYB although I see the format has changed and no gala at Sadler’s Wells.

We have never used professional photos and had a number of Royal intensives offers and wait list places over the years.  Some photos were assisted by teachers, some by me and some by dancing friends.  Please don’t be put off by not spending the money on glossy photos and put the money into funding training.

We know a DD who auditioned every year she could and didn’t get in until her last opportunity and was cast in a lead role.

Is this comment also levelled at EYB and NYB?

We were still considering applying and are always last minute.  Just looked at all access points to the form but it keeps coming up that applications are closed. 

1 hour ago, sunrise81 said:

Also the class sizes seem quite large....my DD says 28 I'm her group? This is her first time doing it, but not had classes this size before at other well known courses.

That’s the usual size of the groups. 

On 07/08/2022 at 17:40, KeenButClueless said:

Is anyone else a bit disappointed with the course length this year? They had a whole extra day last year for the same price - and we weren’t given the pick up date until after full payment was made. I’m feeling a little robbed for 4.5 days of training to be honest.

This has been an issue before and apparently while the number of days vary the actual hours of dance for each course should be the same.  I never went to check between the two years this happened to us do can’t confirm but this was on the web site at one point a few years ago.

14 hours ago, NYC said:

Last week there was a boy who spoke no English. He understood, but didn't speak. It seemed like a range of English skills. I'd ask the school how this works if you get accepted. 

Definitely some there with little or no English when DC has been there.  There are usually a few who speak the same language and between them they get through.

11 hours ago, Evangeline said:

Hi, does any of you know if the participants of the summer intensive that would like to be considered for full time programme get a feedback or not at all? My daughter said she saw a lady taking notes one day but not sure if we will receive any feedback. Thank you 

Sorry no - if they are interested in making an offer you will be contacted. DC has been at WL when this has happened but nothing ever came of it and no actual offers from those she knew.  Even they didn’t get feedback.

33 minutes ago, Elbows said:

I’m sure the Junior company is a wonderful experience (apologies if it sounded like I was dissing it! 😊) but because of the cost NYB isn’t something we could do every year.  If we can only do it once I think we are better off waiting until she can do it as a senior. 
 

As with most of these things I just wish they would be a bit more transparent about the selection process, as I know of several year 7s (and even a year 6s) offered seniors.  It just leaves me wondering!

If anyone has any insight it would be great to know.

I fully understand concern over the cost issues and it’s a big time commitment for parents/guardians.  The process this year seems to have been different so I can’t provide any insight this time round.  All I do know is the overall learning experience in terms of developing as a dancer technically and with performance skills. 

27 minutes ago, LGBalletTaxi said:

Anyone else with a 12 year old (year 7) offered junior company? My daughter did first audition junior, final audition senior but then been offered junior company. She wants to do it regardless but I just wanted to make sure she would have others her age. She doesn’t know anyone going.  Thanks

9 minutes ago, Elbows said:

My daughter was offered juniors. She turns 13 in November.  
 

We are going to turn it down, as she doesn’t want to be in with the little ones.  I can’t imagine it will be the same sort of experience as seniors and given how expensive it is we are going to wait until next year and hope she gets seniors.

I would contact them and ask about year groups - from what we saw in previous years it was never a fixed cut off between the groups - however this is anecdotal based on a few years of knowing DC take part. Final decisions will be based on casting and who the choreographers want for each piece.

Any longer length wide dance skirt will be fine - the heaver material is best but DD just wore an RAD regulation chiffon one when her RAD character one was too small.  International students will come with a variety of skirts.  I wouldn’t be buying new.

The shoes should be low heel character of any brand but Bloch are the most popular.  One year DD didn’t have character shoes and wore her black jazz shoes which had a harder sole and small heel but they really do make a difference so worth the investment.  A few from overseas will have come without if they don’t use them.

19 minutes ago, bangorballetboy said:

 

They may already be doing that...

They did last year where there was a modest ticket price and larger donation but they are not doing the same this year, as far as I am aware

.

4 minutes ago, OnlyDance said:

Congrats to the yeses and other waitlists!

Does anyone know if anyone ever receives a no? Or whether places from a waitlist ever come up?

Yes - we had a no the first time we applied - a place the second year and then two scholarships - glad we didn't give up after the first no.

2 minutes ago, Mum of unicorn dancer said:

I am confused too as my DD was in group 1 for audition (year 7, but will be 12 in summer) and now was invited to senior one. Well done everyone. Congratulations to your DCs. 

Congratulations!  They may have looked across the dancers to get a balance in each company: Junior and Main, and decided to move those with later summer birthdays up a group.  DD's friend was moved when she did it.

1 hour ago, Waverley said:

No sorry when I said she was doing it for ‘the experience’ I just meant that she is very aware (as are we) that getting a scholarship is unlikely, not least because she is a very young year 6 and the audition class is for Y7/8. But she wanted to give it a go and I think it’s all good practice and a chance to be taught by different people etc. 

 

We have applied separately for the summer school itself as she would like to try and get a place even without a scholarship. 

They offer to all age groups and how you perform in the audition is taken into account.  You never know how the panel will make their decisions.

3 hours ago, Neverdancedjustamum said:

Hi! We have never put in a normal application but yes, definitely, I know of lots who got a place via the normal route despite not attending the scholarship audition or attended it but didn’t get a scholarship. I would assume that this would be the case for most people as the number of scholarships is quite limited in relation to those who actually attend the summer course. So absolutely go for it either way. I’m afraid our experience of YBS is extremely limited (to basically two scholarship auditions). My DD has never attended the actual summer course or any of the pop ups, but I’m sure lots on this forum would have and would be happy to give feedback

You have to apply for the course as well as the scholarship in a separate application.  I’m not sure if that is very clear but we did read this the year we applied.  There are also a number of means tested bursaries which you can note you wish to apply for at the same time as the course application.

On 18/01/2022 at 08:31, Dance.Mum said:

Too late to edit my previous post but what about Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker.  I was thinking the run had finished but it’s still on until the 30th.  Would highly recommend it - great for families.

Thank you again for the suggestion.  Despite my reservations I ended up going with them and thoroughly enjoyed it.  

On 27/01/2022 at 00:35, Silversparkle said:

Sorry, me again

My DD did the ENB afternoon audition last Sunday but there’s been no indication of when we might hear.
Does anyone know if all prelims (end of feb) need to be complete first? 

 

We thought results would be out after the second auditions but they came out today.  Places have been offered already.  Hope you had good news?

If you budget stretches to it or you can get a pair in the sales I would recommend Lululemon as they have a wide range of styles to suit a variety of activities including dance.  I have looked back at their website to see which ones I bought but can't recall the name.  I have been wearing them for ballet class for at least five years and they are still lovely to wear so were worth the investment.  Staff are great and provide advice if you can get top a store.

3 hours ago, Dance.Mum said:

Too late to edit my previous post but what about Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker.  I was thinking the run had finished but it’s still on until the 30th.  Would highly recommend it - great for families.

Thank you - I hadn't thought to suggest this as personally I wasn't interested in this production so it didn't come to mind.  Loved their other productions so may I should maybe give it a go. 

4 hours ago, Dance.Mum said:

I can’t answer the YDA question or suggest another Nutcracker but take a look at London Children’s Ballet.  They are doing a new production this year with Anne of Green Gables.  Rehearsals have just started so it’s not on until the end of May.  

I will also suggest LCB.  DC loved being part of LCB.  NYB will be Sadler's again this summer something else for later in the year.

If anyone can suggest anything else for a younger dancer (with a family on a limited budget) please let me know.