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balletbean

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  1. Congratulations to all the NBS pupils who performed at this years MoveIt. Just watched the wonderful performances online, hoping that you are all proud of your achievements🤩 👏🏻👏🏻
  2. The uS staff openly admitted to me that they would prefer to have all their flats filled with NBS pupils. Quieter more disciplined, considerate, polite. To name just a few. They were also in awe of the level of dedication. Out with the lark in the morning. Well turned out and not returning until early evening. Not quite the same for their other tenants😉. Hence why they are so accommodating (excuse the pun) to help out NBS. We acknowledge that like all teenagers and young adults no one is perfect and they can all have their moments but it’s reassuring to hear feedback from others outages the dancing bubble 😊
  3. Congratulations to your DC on an amazing audition season. I can only comment on NBS accommodation. New Medlock is operated by uS (United Students). Used to be open to all higher education students but in recent years (since refurb) all tenants had to be a student of one particular university. Can’t recall which one. If they have done away with that criteria and open to all students. 1) As NBS students are younger than Uni students as soon as one NBS student reserves a room the flat is blocked off. Maybe not all 1st yrs but more often than not that is the case. No choice on a particular flat just the type of room ie en-suite v’s shared bathroom etc will determine which flat you are allocated. They might already have a flat blocked off with an empty room. 2) They have a duty of care (age), errors do occur but if you maintain a dialogue with the staff any errors can be remedied promptly. ie Uni students placed in the same flat. 3) Early bird rates used to run until April 4) Contact them directly not through the main contact centre, as they will know the demographics of their upcoming tenants and understand NBS pupils needs better. . 5) As you didn’t mention Parkway Gate which is another uS property next to Medlock, not sure if that’s because it’s full or you weren’t aware of the property. 6) Book now, they understand the funding issue for NBS just as much as some new Uni students might not make the grade on results day and could lose their conditional place in Aug. The advantage is that NBS funding is confirmed before results day. 7) Artisan House, mentioned is even closer to NBS not that any of the others are far away. Newer build so the costs are reflected. As there are 100,000+ students within Manchester all seeking to find accommodation it’s best to reserve asap. With uS properties it is possible to pull out of a tenancy agreement (especially as this will be before the Aug exam date) especially if the decision is based on lack of funding not being available than to wait then try to source accommodation later on. You then might find the only accommodation available is further out and requires daily public transport. Due to the demands in the area. Hope that has helped a little. 😊 Happy to answer any more questions where I can. Ps. All new tenants are to sign a tenancy agreement. However, as your DC is under 18 you should be the one to sign the agreement. Sometimes, the agents require a gentle reminder. 😌
  4. I’m not sure, my DD required a visa for China. The full work up. Which was repeated again upon arrival in the country. Incl the dreaded blood tests (she doesn’t do needles).😬 😅
  5. I thought the audition medicals was just the standard additional cost to factor in. But wait until the graduate requires medicals for visas. They are on another level (cost) entirely. Blood tests/x-rays/ECG to name just a few. On the plus side, it’s like having an MOT so you can wave them off with some peace of mind 😊
  6. I can’t see any reason besides the pupils own abilities that could prevent them from taking the exam. Each pupil is judged on their own merit for exams at NBS. Might just take a little bit longer for those that have trained in other boards ie ISTD/IDTA to be become more acquainted with the terminology and slight tweak in technique as the examination boards may vary slightly but by the advanced level I’m sure pupils would take that in their stride. I’ve had a quick look at RAD but can’t see any restrictions from their perspective either. 🩰😊. Hope that has helped.
  7. Sounds like my DD’s experience. Walked into NBS for her audition. Greeted by big smiles from other pupils and staff alike. She came away from the audition saying she didn’t want to come home!! Loved her time there despite its challenges 😷. But definitely agree. Not all schools suit everyone. Just like how students select one University over another. Research and then stick to instinct. If it feels right it is right ☺️
  8. With exam classes being even smaller. If I recall my DD joined 3 others for the final pre exam lessons. Pupils are only entered for exams based on individual merit rather than as a cohort. So each pupil has some control over their pathway. 🙆‍♀️
  9. A few years ago, we were told by my DD’s ballet teacher not to apply as demand is so great. This mum never listened (oops). DD applied and was offered a place the summer she turned 15. So in answer to your question. If you don’t apply you will never know. 🤞🏼🤞🏼
  10. This is a tough one. My DD didn’t choose GCSE as she personally felt it just duplicated on her RAD/ISTD training. She chose Drama instead as its a supporting skill to Dance. The students that did select the Dance GCSE & A level loved it mainly because they ended up teaching the teacher. The ‘dance’ teacher just happened to adopt the course by default as she was head of Drama. Her new cohort were already RAD Grade 6/7 and ISTD intermediate. I’d suggest to look beyond the written curriculum but also look closely at what training the teacher has for Dance before making any decisions.
  11. Some might say that it sounds harsh but for many schools and colleges turning up is a sign of resilience. An inner skill & strength that dancers have to possess . Unless obviously it’s contagious or a messy illness 🤢. Not to say it’s ideal at all but their actions do indicate their attitude and aptitude that can’t be recorded on a cv, going forward into training and the profession itself.
  12. Northern Ballet School Jazz Focus springs to mind. Ballet remaining at the core of their training but pupils train in other genres are in a wide and varied curriculum. The school are not fixated on age but rather the potential of applicants/their pupils. If interested @MrsMoo2 please look at the schools website for information on auditions.
  13. Re NBS. They don’t specify a deadline for applications. Used to be first come first served for choice of auditions. Dates have been posted on their Instagram page. First one after the holidays is on the 20th January. One round. Results normally posted an about a week afterwards. Dada’s aren’t awarded until sometime after all auditions are held. Which for 2024 is the 2nd March. 🙂
  14. So pleased your DD had a positive audition. Letters/emails tend to be sent out promptly, about a Week. DaDa offers are later. 🤞🏻
  15. Aww bless you. I hung my dance shoes up more years ago than I can recall. I thought those days had left me but when the company invited me to have photos with them they all asked afterwards if I had danced in the past due to my posture and foot position. So sweet. 😊😅 xx Thank you for your kind words. I shall leave my account open. Happy to respond to private messages if I can be of any help with my experience as a parent of post grad audition process outside of ballet companies but won’t actively be following the forum if that makes sense. @Fiz, @Ballet4Boyz @Streetdancer, @Pixiewoo@meadowblythe, @Pas de Quatre @Mjdb I wish your daughter all the best. 3rd yr is amazing. Just remember those Kleenex. Xx
  16. Hi all, I just wanted to come on here to say goodbye to everyone before closing my account down. I joined this forum back in 2017 (if my memory serves me correctly) when my DD auditioned for post 16 training. Through this forum I connected with a mum whose DD was also successfully offered a place. The girls shared accommodation throughout their 3yrs developing a strong bond that has seen them through many ups and downs along the way. As mums we’ve laughed and we’ve cried and celebrated together becoming good friends throughout this whole process, despite the distances between us. The girls graduated in the summer of 2021 and have been successfully employed as professional dancers since then. Due to the nature of her contracts it wasn’t possible until recently that I was able to book a trip to finally watch my daughter perform (which worked brilliantly as a surprise for her 21st). So the time came this last week, the distance was long the journey was tiring but it was all so well worth it. And yes, like all dance mums I didn’t forget to pack plenty of Kleenex😉 So as my journey on this forum seems to be complete I couldn’t go without saying a goodbye to one and all. To thank you for your support and wealth of knowledge has been immeasurable. I wish you all the very best in your journey through all of this and with whichever path may lead. ☺️
  17. Ps. Have a drink at one of the many bars in Leadenhall Market where they filmed some scenes in Harry Potter, from there you can Walk across Tower bridge (glass floor messes with your senses if you choose to walk up inside the bridge 🫨) and eat your way around Borough Market including their famous Strawberries with chocolate. or Catch the Uber boat from Westminister which can take you to Greenwich to explore but would require more time. However just taking the Uber boat along the Thames would be pleasant way to escape the congestion. Last suggestion is to visit Camden Market Might have gathered what I got up to on my recent visit to London😉😄.
  18. Activities I undertook whilst in London during SS’s. Buckingham Palace Tour, cup of tea out on the lawn. English guided tour of the Houses of Parliament 90mins. There are other options but this one is Well worth it. ‘Back stage’ tours of the Royal Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, also other theatres within Covent Garden. All well worth it. Groups are small and so informative. Diva exhibition and the V&A museum. Fab-u-lous darling 🤩😄 can take walk ins but booking in advance is advisable. 😊
  19. A smile would certainly go a long way, however, not receiving an encouraging smile is one thing but when the examiner spends more time looking out of the window than actually looking at the candidate you do begin to wonder whether you should be there at all!
  20. Hi, there is never a silly question, happy to offer a response from my experience. I don’t think there is hard and fast rule on summer intensives or even any research competed on the outcome of children that attend back to back courses every summer and their success professionally further down the line. My DD attended her first 5 day course the summer she turned 14 (July birthday). Second two courses were the following summer, when she had just turned 15, we applied to two well known schools never thinking she would be offered both. When the offers were received fortunately the dates didn’t clash. Two weeks first then one week off then another week, that summer led nicely into the autumn that she was auditioning for a full time place. In answer to your question about costs, goodness knows, we were fortunate that the local arts trust provided sponsorship for my DD to attend the summer courses. Something I would recommend anyone to research in their respective areas especially when they are on the cusp of seeking full time vocational training. Whilst the summer intensives are obviously a great way to boost and enhance the child’s training I do believe that they are still no substitute for regular sustained training the rest of the academic yr. Good Luck and as I always say, by all means ask those not so silly questions, listen to others but at the end of the day be true to yourself, make those decisions (sometimes easy sometimes hard one) that are best for you, your DD and your family as a whole.
  21. Oh bless. My DD loved dancing but only began to take it seriously when she was 14 after her first summer school. Lost track of the hours after that as fortunately her ballet school was a short walk from her academic school. I just had to remember what time I had to pick her up every evening. Easier said than done I might add 😂 Home was also about an 8 minute drive away. Less if the traffic lights were in my favour 🤣🤣 Oh. the story’s we could all tell. 😊🙆‍♀️🙆🏻‍♂️
  22. Absolutely, consistency is also key as no too teachers are the same. Quality over quantity every time. Having different teachers can be of benefit with an older pupil so they become adjusted to various styles of teaching before heading off to vocational school/college but for yr6 (unsure of grade). Summer Schools is a great way to spread their wings and discover life outside their bubble (regular school/teachers).
  23. We didn’t, I’m not sure it’s also that necessary as they can expensive. Try asking around friends & family. A friend of ours teaches A level photography so offered her services. A few odd looks from the cleaners at school though as my DD held the poses against the only blank wall in the art Dept, which happened to be the corridor but can’t complain as the photos were great and got where she wanted to be. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to be but realistically the success at the audition is not based on the merit or how much someone paid for their photographs. It’s simply a supporting aid to the whole audition process. ☺️
  24. NBS - one audition, generally on a Monday starting mid/late Nov, with multiple dates on offer which continue into the new year after a short break over the Christmas holidays. Results announced swiftly. Unsure if the process has changed now but previously decisions on a DaDa were done in April without the requirement for actual attendance. From personal experience it’s best to choose an earlier audition date as they are before UCAS deadlines. Which can help, if successful when sourcing accommodation as NBS is surrounded by several large universities.
  25. So eloquently put. I know of so many cases where graduates are not employed within the field of their degree. In many cases it is a stepping stone of personal development. A friend is a Fine Art graduate but now holds the highest (non political) role within local government. Ask her how that happened she laughs and responds with ‘no idea’. I do wish ‘career’ advisors were not so blinkered with their advice. ps. I should have added that many of these ‘advisors’ seem to forget their own advice when enjoying watching live theatre/ballet/TV/galleries/. The list is endless.
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