junedancer

We missed the scholars audition dates this year so are looking into for next and thinking about the Easter dance days to give an insight. Can anyone comment on how these days compare with the scholars programme?

Just booked for Giselle Newdancermum - DD is excited to be going again so soon!

DD attended the 11-13 years old session for Nutcracker this morning and loved it. She wasn't challenged, other than one particular barre exercise but thoroughly enjoyed the repertoire that they were taught and the experience of the lovely stage. Having seen Nutcracker there in the past made it even more exciting. Definitely some there that were much younger than 11 and one or two hadn't done ballet before, although they had clearly done other dance styles. DD would go again for the experience so I wouldn't discount these workshops for those doing associates/vocational training especially over the holiday period when there are no other classes to keep the dance mad from driving you crazy!

While flexibility is important no school expects all three splits at audition for those at year 7 as they are looking for potential - RBS made this clear at their In-sight day. DD has been auditioning for a number of associates, SS, vocational and performance places in the last nine months with success and without a full set of splits. DD has been been intimidated by those doing serious stretching pre-audition but thankfully now appreciates that she can get offers without this. Good luck to those auditioning at the moment!

This page has a letter giving most of the information that people seem to be looking for regarding dates and scholarships etc. It was put up later last night so looks like they were still updating pages throughout yesterday evening. http://nationalyouthballet.org/information/audition-information/

I was interested to see that NYB will not be holding their SS in Tring this year but Elmhurst as Tring, where it has been for the last four years, still has these dates out on their summer calendar. I may be wrong but I am sure the NYB web site had Tring as the venue last time I looked. I was also surprised to see the audition venues as I thought I saw three London audition dates and one in the north or am I mistaken? Have there been some last minute changes or I have been reading this wrong? Anyone on the Forum in the know on this?

Try emmanorthmore@yahoo.com or 07958 725862 - these are the contact details she left of the Forum a few weeks back. You could also message her via the Forum just search Emma Northmore.

We were under the impression that the teaching at vocational schools is more technical than the RAD vocational syllabus so I can see why some schools such as RBS don't bother with the exams - at the end of the day their pupils are likely to be judged on the school they attended as much as anything else. Sorry this doesn't answer your question and I don't know which schools offer RAD Grades and Vocational but would be interested to hear from others on this. The RAD are clear about minimum ages for exams that are obviously not flexible on this and they also have strong views on when you should start pointe, borne out by the minimum requirements for IF, but I am sure this is an area where vocational students have the advantage of being able to start earlier in a controlled environment. Could it be that the RAD is not set-up to respond to those at vocational school?

Great feedback so I hope she bounces back. With the main intake to CBA in September from the May audition session it may also depend on spaces being available. It's six months until the May audition so plenty of time to make progress and impress next time round.

No, nothing to be jealous of - I think she just feels we are moving too fast - that I am pushing too hard.

Okay so I thought I was doing well but have just been berated by another Dance Mum who has accused me of being pushy saying that this is one of the things that teachers hate - Mums pushing to get the grades done and that it doesn't make for a better dancer adding that the point of the grade system is that you build on each grade and gain knowledge and understanding of each level. Have I done the right thing? Dance teachers among you - I would really appreciate your advice - i think I am about to lose a friend!

Thank you everyone for your advice and comments. I am always intimidated by having to speak to DD's dance teacher as this puts me so out of my comfort zone as I know nothing about dance. Well I didn't even get to the end of what I had prepared to say and she came back with so why doesn't she come to the next grade up as well as she is more than capable. DD is over the moon and asked Mummy what made you suggest this idea - so thank you!

Thanks Bluebird22 and Farawaydancer - I thnk DD will cope - just hope her teacher agrees.

We are trying to get enough ballet classes and it looks like the only option will be to do two grade classes at a different level. Is this to be advised or avoided? I have seen classes where they teach two grades at the same time which is obviously tailored to work with those in it but will two separate classes work?

Thank you Janet, as you say not a perfect bun - not sure it was pass as need for an exam but some of the ways might be worth trying to see if you could get a neat result.

Thanks again for all of your helpful comments and advice. My DD doesn’t have any dancing friends so a conversation with the school mum’s on hours that DD dances gets strange looks and nods of disapproval so I don’t bring the subject up now. Her local high school has a really good academic record so they will think I am mad to be considering any other option. I know that they give lots of homework – their answer to keeping results high! – so fitting in dance would be a struggle. I am also finding getting enough dance classes at a high enough level an issue. I take it that when they go to vocational and are at home you can drop outside classes, maybe keeping on the odd holiday workshop? That would be an advantage as it will be easier to get rest periods at weekends and holidays. Oh well back to the applications. Our photos were a disaster – too much shadow – but I have been heartened by posts on that subject so I will give up stressing!

Thank you everyone for your really helpful comments - I haven't replied individually as there is so much to take in but I am really grateful for the time you have all taken to respond. There is just so much to consider when deciding what is best and then the balancing job. I get the impression that if a DC is residential at vocational there is a chance of getting a good balance between dance and academic studies as everything is managed by the school. We have been looking at a few options that would mean living at home but as the school will start earlier and finish later this seems to me it might be problematic as they may be more tired than those who are residential. Does anyone have a DC at a local vocational school who does not live in? Would it be better to have a boarding place?

My DD decided recently to take her dancing seriously and we have agreed to apply for vocation school. I am concerned about the impact of the additional hours of dancing. Anyone with a DC in year 7 have issues with tiredness? She copes well at the moment with school and dancing but I have friends whose children went to high school last year said it was tiring for them and with the added pressure of dance at vocation school how do they cope?

Hope it all went well for those auditioning today. We were unable to go and were not allowed to audition with an older group last week. Someone said this is about comparing ability but I have also been told that they spend time in finals matching girls to get groups of the same height. Is this really true?

I was speaking to DDs teacher the other week about a class that uses demi-pointe and she advocates starting pointe work when strong enough rather than using demi's to transition. Her concern is that using them as a means to strengthen for pointe can develop unwanted calf muscles. RAD IF does a small amount of pointe and for Intermediate they do use demis but this is more about begin able to dance on the flat in pointe shoes without being noisey. She feels that strength training wearing flat soled shoes is the best way for strengthening. Sorry if I am saying anything controversial - happy to be corrected if I have misunderstood anything.

We still plan to audition so hoping my not so "talented" dancer will have a look in! Does anyone know the rehearsal times yet?

Thanks for the heads up on this - I am managing to watch and work!

Thanks for this. I have seen the rehearsal dates and being a Sunday it looks like they might clash with number of the associates programmes as well.

Thanks Janet. I have been in the wings since the summer as my DD was starting to get serious about her ballet and as she is now wanting to audition I thought I should join you all as I work through what it means to enter the world of dance.

Thanks for this I knew the performance was to be in May but I hadn't seen the dates. Surely it is easier being in the school holidays. Do you know if rehearsal times are known yet?