TwoLeftFeet

Hi all,

I'd love some opinions on Rambert please.

My dd is researching degree courses for Sept. 2019 and has always had Ballet West Scotland first on her list.  However, she has recently discovered that Rambert have a degree course in Ballet and Contemporary which sounds perfect.

Her goals are to eventually become a member of a Ballet Company with Contemporary under her belt.  She does not want to go the Musical Theatre route, she is classical ballet all the way but she does enjoy contemporary.

I would be so grateful to hear your views on this course and the school in general.  We are not from the UK so funding and accommodation are mysteries to us!

Ok that makes more sense in my head lol!  I thought that the RAD syllabus was quite rigid that you couldn't put in flowy movements and such - for example, dd's teacher said that one of her endings was "too flowery" and to keep it simple.

Ah ok, thank you ladies - so it's all about facial expression then, am I right in saying that?

My dd has just done her first RAD ballet exam, Grade 4 and did well but seemed to fall down a little on the performance scores.

She has another exam in two weeks time and is worried that she is missing something in the performance area but just doesn't know what exactly :/  We don't come from a dance background so we're of no use to her.

We'd love if all you pro's could share some tips on exactly HOW to perform more - her teacher keeps saying "you need to perform more" but is not telling her exactly what she is supposed to be doing to achieve that!

All help gratefully received   Thank you

On 1/15/2018 at 21:50, Dancing2003 said:

Hi,

 

I would be grateful for any feedback on the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland BA Modern Ballet Course and if they run a Ballet Summer School Course (re the summer course ideally what ballet level this would be aimed at). 

 

Doing a bit of research for dd auditioning in  2019.

 

Thanks in advance 😊

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi there Dancing2003 - I don't have any information to offer but my dd is hoping to audition in 2019 also   Did you manage to find any information?  Also, is your dd planning on auditioning for Ballet West also?

2 minutes ago, Dancing unicorn said:

When is the exam?

Its in two weeks time... getting real now!

20 hours ago, Dancing unicorn said:

Hiya her teacher should really rehearse this with her but just in case!

She’ll have 3 things to carry in, her skirt which is folded and draped over her arm, her character shoes in same hand/arm as skirt and her report slip that the teacher will mark (unless that is already with the examiner!). She walks over to the examiners desk, bows and says either good morning or good afternoon. Waits for the examiner to acknowledge her and then the examiner will ask her to put her skirt and shoes to one side and take her place at the barre.

Hope that helps xx

Good luck to your dd 🍀

Thank you very much for your insight - its very helpful

21 hours ago, Colman said:

The teacher really should rehearse that - is she the only one in the class doing it for the first time? 

There are 5 in the class and they are all doing an exam for the first time.  Yes, the teacher should rehearse it but hasn't as of yet, so all tips welcome.

Hi all - I'm hoping someone can give us some advice please.

My dd is doing her first ballet exam ever - Grade 4 - in two weeks time.  As this is her first exam she has no idea of what to do when she arrives.  Her friend told her that there is a certain way to hold the character skirt, shoes etc.   Her ballet teacher hasn't gone over this yet so I'm hoping that someone could let us know what to expect when dd arrives.  Does she line up, does she just walk in and put her things down, does the examiner tell her what bit shes doing next or does she just keep playing the music, is there a certain way to hold things and put them down, does she need to say anything?

Sorry if these are stupid questions but this is a totally new area for us!  Thanks 

3 tickets for Giselle on Friday 2nd February wanted please - anyone selling?

thank you

1 hour ago, Pups_mum said:

Another possibility to consider, is that a number of colleges including Urdang, Bird and London Studio Centre run one year foundation courses. They will be more general dance rather than specifically ballet but might be worth looking into as then you would only be committing to one year in the first instance. I'm not sure about minimum ages or anything but just thought I'd suggest it as another avenue to consider. 

Thank you Pups_mum I didn't know about those.  Another strain of courses to add to my addled brain lol!  I'll check those out now

2 minutes ago, mnemo said:

Hello 2LF. As I am unfamiliar with the Irish education system, I am not sure about the feasibility of this - but would your dd have an opportunity to go back later in life and do her Leaving Certificate, in the event that she chose to go into full time dance training at 16? My dd's back stop is that we have an excellent local college that offers A levels up to age of 24 years without fees. In the event of something going horribly wrong (she started full time at 16 years) she would have this as a fall back. Also depends on dc attitude to education. Had I forced mine to take A levels I am pretty certain that she would have put in a lacklustre performance since all she wants to do is dance. And getting into a good Uni these days demands a very strong A level performance.

Thank you for your reply mnemo.  Yes, she could go back and do it if all went horribly wrong.  Just another thought since I don't know the UK system - are 'A' levels needed to get into a classical ballet course?

7 minutes ago, Harwel said:

Let her audition at the earliest opportunity so you have an idea of what it’s all about and see how she does. If she gets a place decide then, if she’s not ready to get in then best get full education first.  Don’t forget, education can be done anytime, dancing can not. 

Thank you Harwel for your reply.  Yes, that is what I'm afraid of and as this is our first foray into this world I don't want to make the wrong decision for her.  Your advice is great to let her audition and let that outcome decide.

Thank you all so much for your replies.  There really is such alot of information out there and so much of it is complicated!

My dd is doing her Intermediate exam in May and is currently in a youth ballet in Dublin as well as doing her weekly classes.  She is currently doing 10 hours per week.

I'm in a complete dilemma then to know whether to send her for full-time training in 2020 when she is 16 going on 17 having done a dance year in lieu of Transition Year or 2022 when she is 18 going on 19 and having done her Leaving Certificate.

Have any of you been though this dilemma and if so, what did you decide to do?

Hi all

We are an Irish family looking to send our daughter to a UK ballet college or possibly further afield.  We are not from a dance background and our daughter is the only person we personally know doing ballet, so we are totally in the dark about the whole scene!

We are looking for tips, recommendations and experiences of families that have done similar.  Its a minefield out there from our perspective and very hard to know where to start.  

Our school years are slightly different to UK school years.  Their big exams, the Junior Certificate, are in 3rd year, so my dd would be 15 doing her JC. In alot of secondary schools 4th year here we have whats called Transition Year.  Its like a break from studies before they go into the senior cycle to try other subjects and work experience.  Alot of kids don't choose to do it but our dd would like to take that year but go to a dance college/school instead.  She will be turning 16 in October 2019 doing this route and then will return to school in Sept. 2020 to start her 2 year senior cycle in school.

Alternatively, we could send her at 16 to a UK or other college/school to start a 3 year course.  For those that have done this, how have you found the process/system/fees/schools?  Do you regret not completing your Leaving Certificate at 18?  We have so many questions and are very unsure what the right thing to do is so any help, guidance or advice is very much appreciated.

Thank you

Ah ok thanks for the information.  The evening performance is sold out so I was looking to see if anyone had tickets...

3 tickets for Giselle on Friday 2nd February wanted - either Rehearsal or show

thank you