balletbean

I've emailed Masters asking to clarify those that slip in between both groups. Should I receive a reply I shall post it here for others. I'm sure I can't be the only one with a DC in that situation.

Hi, They actually mention Pre seniors at Easter "up to IF or Grade 6" (up to 15). There just seems to be a massive Grande Jete (excuse the pun) from those requirements to the seniors, with nothing in between. I will try and email them to clarify as Masters are not the only one to use this age group as a bench mark.

There's also a lovely one with "be nice to your dance teacher" logo on the sweater.on the main website .

Perfect, I've just emailed you at DWYH........... with several typos and poor Grammar, oops.

Interesting that for the Easter course, the Masters Pre-Seniors state that pointe work is not essential but then the Seniors need at least 3 years pointe work. Challenging if your DC is 14 and has taken IF, with limited pointe experience but certainly not classed as a Novice. Fantastic opportunity though.

Good Luck, are these auditions for yr 7 or for 6th form entry? Love to know how it all went after the event. Fingers crossed for you all

It's very interesting reading all these posts, and hopefully all our children are being trained correctly by their teachers. Teachers that are making the right decisions for the best of their individual students and not the prestige of putting their very young girls onto pointe. To me at the end of the day I feel it's the exam results that count. It's not a race after all to reach IF (pointework) or even Adv 2 (as witnessed by some at a SS) but the quality of the teaching and training that the children receive on the way. Good Luck to everyone on their journey to reach their goal. No matter how long and at what age that happens.

Thank you, I had no idea so many applications were submitted every year. And yes it would be interesting to know how they can tell from a few pics of who should or more likely, should not be offered a place. Good Luck to everyone that has applied this year.

Thank you BlueLou, very interesting. Any idea how many actually apply per age group or however they group the students? I'm quite new to all this, a complete amateur compared to many that deserve a medal for their dedication! I had absolutely no idea even about Associate training etc Love to know more about all these schools and how they operate.

I'm only laughing to myself as I can picture the scene. Reminds me of dance competitions where you are physically sewing a child into a costume as they walk into the wings!! Oh, bless them both, and you of course.

I'm sure they will be great. well done and fingers crossed for you. Hopefully you will keep us posted. Any idea when the announcements are made? I would love to work in the office at RBS, having never done these applications I'm just plain noisy to see all the photos coming in. I honestly don't know what they can tell from a few quick pics!

I agree, however some exam boards request cotton and then auditions for some Vocational schools are the same. Colours can be lovely, especially plum/grape as the tone is warm in appearance, however the sweat patches aren't quite so attractive on the older students.

Aah, for those with a tumble drier But then the microfibre leotards line dry quicker. As the old expression goes '6 of one half a dozen of another'.

Is there a routine that you or a fellow student at your studios that has performed previously in a festival or comp that you liked that could be used or tweaked obviously with permission. Sometimes that helps when researching, quite often the teachers will have the choreography written down or even videoed that you could borrow and adapt. This process takes some pressure off incl time than starting from scratch. Incredibly stressful I can totally appreciate. My DD asked one of the younger teachers at her studio and they readily offered to help for her audition piece. Of which she was successful. Yeah. The teacher welcomed the project as it was away from regular syllabus work. Does the music have to be be on CD or ipod/ipad for the audition? An existing piece will also cut down on time to edit any music as the teacher will already hold a copy. As it will be a closed audition there shouldn't be any copyright/performance issues but also well worth checking Does it specify length of piece? Obviously if you do have lyrics it needs to be 'cut' at an appropriate place. Classical ballet or lyrical modern? Ballet, try to steer clear of well known ballets, a simple piano/orchestral piece should suffice, or even music from films like Chocolat can work well Modern Lyrical, "Some Where Over the Rainbow" not the film version but one sung by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole, Fields of Gold by Sting, some recent hits by Jess Glynn and Adele, The other popular one is Take me to Church by Hozier, to name just a few. If push comes to shove and nothing is working just youtube any dance competitions/festivals that spring to mind, you may have a eureka moment when watching them. As already mentioned by other posts, please please please double check all lyrics (if any) in the piece used, even if you google them. Just to ensure no inappropriate language or insinuations are included, there can be a sneaky one word or line. Also any theme that maybe controversial. I do hope this may have helped. Good Luck and please let us know on your final choice. It would be lovely to know.

Thank you Janet

Good Afternoon, Does any one have any knowledge or first hand experience of the training for a BA(Hons) Theatre Dance, (Classical Ballet) at the LSC? Thank you.

Just be mindful when buying ballet leotards. Many ballet programmes/classes/exams request cotton leotards only, even though the new microfibre leotards are favoured and loved by so many. Sadly these are the leotards that don't fade in the wash and attract fluff. Thus look better for longer. Unlike cotton

Hi, Can I just jump onto this feed. With regard funding, I'm not UK based so not really up to speed on all things relating to Student Loans, however wI do have local knowledge which may travel quite well. Research through your local Arts Trusts/ Theatres or even local authority. There are many Trusts and local benefactors out there that offer scholarships, bursaries or similar who support the Arts. Every little but helps, even towards shoes/uniform or travel. Well worth looking into and sending off a few letters.

I agree, however my DD's teacher won't let the girls start IF until 11 or is Grade 4. She is 'old school' and is of the opinion that girls any younger don't have a solid technique and physically developed to be ready for pointe work. They then appear to work quite quickly through Inter and onto Adv1. As they are then 'focused and prepared for the syllabus' those just attending ballet as a hobby have gradually dropped out and the class are all serious about their training and heading towards Vocational school for 16+ or MT college. Sometimes there just is not enough room for any additional students to join another class, no matter how focused a pupil may be. Which sadly can occur at some studios.

If I can jump in, I was led to believe that students were at Grade 4 level before starting IF. They are old enough and physically developed enough to be at that pre pointe stage required at the beginning. IF should take about 2 years of training to take the exam. RAD do also set their own Age guidelines on their exams on their website.

I am not aware of a couple of grades being taught within the same lesson. However, my DD does take ISTD and RAD lessons Grade 6 and Intermediate lessons weekly. Not aware that she has any issues of confusing the grades just me as a mother remembering what time I'm picking her up!! Last night, still in last years timetable mode turned up an hour early to pick DD up.Grrrrr One ruined supper, silly me.

Oh Gosh, hats off to you. I couldn't do that. I shall stick to my 8/10 minutes round trip. Perfect timing to put the veggie on to boil! lol

What age group (and grade) are you thinking of in particular?

Boring never, Mad and demented very probably.

My DD was recently in a ballet group that performed in a major international dance comp to the Orchestral version of 'Frozen' . It was a lovely piece and took a few seconds to recognise it without the lyrics but it worked beautifully and certainly age appropriate. In fact one of the judges commented on one young lady recently where she had performed to a very traditional classical piece for her ballet solo but felt it was not suitable for such a young dancer (directed at her teacher rather than the poor girl) . That is certainly something to consider as most classical pieces are adult focused.