Meglorien

I was told this weekend that there was some sort of closure, and that they focus more on contemporary than in classical ballet. I'll read through the thread to see what people say about the various school before asking more questions 😉

I'm interested in this too. We know about RBS, Elmhurst, Tring and Legate (if the new dance director is more ballet oriented than the outgoing one). I'm not quite sure what is happening at Hammond at the moment and we decided against Young Dancers Academy. Are there any others we should be thinking of?

Yes, this is my fear as well, that they might think it is quite a lot.

Did you just bring in a letter from the teacher?

Thanks for the link. I was wondering what the legal standing was and didn't know how to find it.

Thanks for this explanation. Like you say, it won't make the head sympathetic/inclined, but here we are in a strong position on all accounts, as dd has a good record of attendance (and so does the school in general), school is outstanding and dd has exceeded expectations in all her years at school. All things that will help. Also, Mary Goodhew is one of the best private teachers out there, they can even google her and find her, which I think will also strengthen our position. I plan to approach the matter in the best way possible too, which is why I wanted to discuss it on the forum first. It's a huge opportunity for dd.

No, she's starting private lessons with Mary Goodhew as a preparation for vocational school auditions. But the classes are in London, so she'll have to miss some or all of one day of school. I'm exploring what is the best way to go about it. This is in addition to syllabus classes and associates, which happen at the weekend. The classes are private, but with a small group of people, which makes them cost about a fifth, so we can't rearrange them and schedule them to another time.

Hmm, being there for both ends might prove difficult, but thanks, this helps. I'll ask for the letter before going to school.

How did you talk to the school?

Why couldn't they say no? Can you do it legally? How did you approach the question with the school? I have to talk to them, but I'd like to do it in the best way possible.

I've searched the forum because I saw someone commenting they had managed special permission from school to have a class during school session, but now I can't find it anywhere. Anybody has experience of having to take their children to ballet class during term time on a regular basis? Is it even possible? Thanks!

It's SWL for us again this year. Good luck to all of those still waiting. Yes 😉

So happy for him! Congratulations. All the best.

I didn't notice the pattern last year. We auditioned second day this year, but last day last year, for a Y4 place and, like you, we got the email at 4:15 on 21st. So we may have to wait for Wednesday again.

It's looking like no results today, isn't it? I mean, we're expecting a no, but it's still rather nerve wrecking, especially because we have an extremely good offer on the table for a different associates programme and I can't really postpone answering them any longer.

Yes, me too! Good luck to us all.

We auditioned on Wednesday (for a Y5 place), is that the second day or the 3rd? Because I know people auditioned on Friday as well.

I've checked junk once a day, just in case, but I would imagine it would come where the audition email came. I got it into my inbox, so I expect it will be in my inbox. Unfortunately it looks like only next week, though. I have to try and not think about it over the weekend.

I love it. Just the right attitude! I do hope he gets a yes. We also auditioned in London, on the Wednesday, for Y5.

Argh, noooooo! (But your way of putting it made me smile 😉 )

Thanks for this. We've applied to two other associate schemes (not the ones I mentioned, she already does those), so I was wondering how they all compare with each other. Partner work sounds great!

I sympathise with this feeling. When we have high exceptions of getting accepted, it is harder to accept a not yet. As other people have posted, there are lots of ways of getting the same result. The Royal Ballet Associates isn't the only way, and with so many dancers applying for just a few spots, there will be literally hundreds of brilliant dancers whose teachers are surprised they didn't get a yes. What you can do, however, is ask her main ballet teacher to phone them up for some feedback. We asked dd's teacher to do this last year, and some things they thought she had to improve we already knew, some things we didn't. As for gymnastics, my impression is that doing some is beneficial (for core, strength and flexibility). If you and your dd feel it may be getting in the way, you could have a chat with her ballet teacher and express your concerns. From what you say, though, her teachers don't seem to be concerned and, as with everything, it's getting the balance right that is the key. I hope she'll try again next year and enjoy her dancing in the meantime.

To keep me a little distracted (but not much), what do they exactly do at the associates class? How many hours do they have, and what kind of sessions? In Cecchetti associates, they have 90 minutes, first session is classical ballet, second is repertoire, sometimes other kinds of dancing but that is rare. It's a series of masterclasses. At CBA they also have two sessions, but the first one is 1:15, again classical ballet, and the second is 30 minutes and it varies. Most of the time they seem to do choreography.

Was that today, or were they from someone who auditioned at a different centre for London? Like other mums, butterflies in the stomach now, impatient to hear something.

Yes, indeed. What I meant was that even if you don't hear back immediately, anything can happen during the first term, especially if you include other centres too.