OnlyDance

They are an add on - no audition is necessary, and not obligatory (but dd feels left out). Friends in rl feel it's way of bumping up fees but they are non-ballet people hence me asking on here if it's usual. It really does seem that the big companies do help out with travel expense costs etc so maybe if dd is lucky enough in the future to get into RBS associate scheme or similar it would solve this problem.

This I could live with!

Perhaps it will come to that in the new year . I did ask to pay the fees in installments (I felt brave enough to ask that after reading a thread on here!). However, I don't like to be "that parent" who's always asking for special treatment

Thank you for all your replies. Just to answer a couple of questions and to also clarify my original post. Hi sarahw, I don't wish to disclose which scheme but will say it isn't a big one. It wasn't my intention to make it sound like I'd be paying for dd to perform as that isn't the case - it's more subtle! It isn't compulsory to take part and certainly I'm not feeling any pressure from the company director. Just that dd would love to take part and is feeling left out and upset that she can't as it would mean additional travel and ticket costs. And no is wasn't mentioned up front. I'd just thought any performing would be the parents watching a class at the end of term or similar! sarahw, on 24 Nov 2016 - 07:28 AM, said:

Hello, is anyone able to advise on what additional costs are reasonable for associate schemes? Bit of background, my dd has recently started attending a scheme and whilst I knew it would be a stretch financially I had factored in cost of sessions, travel and uniform. Unfortunately, what I hadn't factored in was performance costs (mainly because perhaps naively I hadn't realised there would be any performances!) i.e. additional travel and purchasing tickets for the performances. Is it "usual" for associate schemes to have performance opportunities? I've searched the forum and seen that RBS JA do performances however do you "pay to perform" or is it the case that if I wanted to watch I would simply need to buy a ticket. However if I couldn't afford to buy a ticket that wouldn't prevent my dd from taking part?

Wow what an amazing life story! Truly inspirational family. Good luck to your son on his new chapter going forward (and to the rest of the family in keeping up with him!!)

So pleased to hear someone say this - I just couldn't afford to .

Is the reduced rehearsal schedule hugely different to previous years Nancy19? I hadn't realised they started as early as November. DD still wants to audition, and I don't mind committing to that.

I'm wondering this too. This is the first year my dd is old enough to audition and she has been waiting 3 years to be able to! She is disappointed that with the reduced cast size there is even less chance of a successful audition. But am I the only one thinking all that rehearsing for a 30 minute performance at the end of it all? We're not London-based so don't think I'd consider travelling to watch a 30 minute show.

My dd attended a few dance/musical theatre summer schools for the first time this year. Three were purely for childcare purposes - she enjoyed them better than a childminder / holiday club but they weren't very demanding. However, she also attended the Norfolk Dance Association summer school which she absolutely loved! Five days (non residential) of ballet, contemporary, jazz and musical theatre each day. She went away not liking contemporary (too much rolling around on the floor she said) to coming back with it as her second favourite class! She already has plans to attend again next year.

My gut reaction is petty. Of course she could just send it (without asking for the 96p). Undoubtedly, her behaviour is because your dd has left the school. Sour grapes me thinks.

Thanks for starting this joyofdance. It's a very interesting read and has given me much food for thought. Here, it's not even so much being 'priced out', as being timed out too. My dd started dancing at a time when she really probably shouldn't have started - I was on long-term sick leave and money was tight. But, she begged and begged and after a year I enquired with a local ballet teacher. Concerned about future finances I asked whether this was going to get expensive and was re-assured that it wouldn't - that she wouldn't need a uniform to start with and only shoes and a leotard. All fine! Roll forward 4 years (two exams, extra classes in tap and modern, dance school performances, summer school, and an EYB audition later) and expenditure is through the roof! Fortunately, I'm back working which allows more money for all things dance related but unfortunately less time to do them in etc. We can only do what we can do.

Thank you Anna. I've wondered what "tags" are! I'm still learning!

Congrats katymac on your mission complete! I'm also loving the dd's that like the washed out look!!

Ouch sounds so painful. Fingers and toes crossed here.

Has anyone come across this company? I chanced upon it during a search for summer schools. They are introducing associate classes and are currently accepting application forms for upcoming auditions. You can find the details here if anyone is interested http://www.thelondonballetcompany.com/associateprogramme/

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Pleased to hear it Jazzpaws (dominating school). As for the "not being allowed to audition for associate schemes" DD found out about RBS associate scheme through their website and asked me if she could audition. When I saw that I'd need her school's permission I told DD I'd see what her teacher thought of the idea and take the lead from her. Her teacher said she thought she was too young and to wait until next year - so we didn't apply. DD thinks her teacher thinks she isn't good enough - I've told her maybe the teacher thinks she's too shy and she should grow in confidence first (and what better place to start than summer school lol!!)

My dd is very shy, though has improved hugely in the last year. I'm not aware of any other kids going from her schools - certainly not from her age group - and both schools are organising their own summer schools too but I wasn't aware of this when I booked her place. I just wanted her to do something to make up for not being allowed to apply to audition for associate lessons.

Ah thanks for the interesting replies. A munchkin and a giant poppy??!! Excellent inside knowledge there Harwel! It's a pity that what sounds an excellent scheme has come to an end. DD will just have to make the most of the summer school

I'd not heard of it but looked at their website after reading your post - what an amazing opportunity! No wonder she's excited.

Thanks Katymac, Jane and Jazzpaws for the replies. Nice to hear of good experience with the ballet teacher as this is by far dd's favourite dance style. It will also be her first experience of non syllabus classes which I think she'll enjoy. Katymac, might I ask why it wasn't a good fit for her? Jane & Jazzpaws - is the Norfolk Scholars like an associate scheme? And do you know if it's still running?

I'll be watching to see the replies Faith76. I did exactly that for exactly the same reason. The modern school knows about the ballet school but not vice versa.

Thanks Anna C for the welcome

Have finally taken the plunge and come out of lurking! My dd is enrolled on the above summer school this year - it's her first one and I'm just posting here to hear any experiences of it. I don't really have much of a clue about dancing but dd is hooked (especially on ballet but I persuaded her to try tap & modern as thought she was getting a little obsessed!). Thanks for reading.