Mumofdancegirls

So our DD is an SA with RBS and a student with Elmhurst associates and has been told by the tutors to apply to Elmhurst and Royal for year 12. Apparently stands a good opportunity of gaining a place as has something special and unique. DD was offered both at year 7 but declined due to worries about homesickness and I’m glad she stayed home to have a normal school  life aswell as an associate training  ballet life. She does Elmhurst Royal and BBO. 

which do you think is the best? I wonder if Elmhurst is better as I believe they do A levels (am I right?)

which is a good back up in case of injuries or changing minds? 

Hello

what time is this class in the school Covent Garden please? 

We’ve decided to not apply here. Know some girls who are happy there, but since posting I’ve had a few private messages which had has helped me and my partner decide it’s not for our DD. 
good luck to those there and I wish you all luck 

On 25/04/2019 at 13:00, DanceMomma said:

Please don’t be to alarmed by what you heard! While not ideal what happened, it could easily happen anywhere. Old building or new, sometimes things just happen (Think of all the flooding problems Elmhurst had.) 

 

On another note, my DD left Elmhurst at end of YR 8 to attend YDA and absolutely loves it! YDA has a very high standard. No school ticks every box but I’m sure no student does either. It’s more about choosing the right fit at the right time and if you make a mistake it’s ok, just find the other options that fit. There are many routes to the final destination and plenty of detours along the way. Don’t let any one thing be the be all and end all. I’m sorry YDA turned out not to be an option for your dd, I personally highly recommend it. It’s not for everyone though and I’m sure the girls that left YDA to attend Elmhurst are just as happy with their decision and I wish them well. 

why did your dd leave Elmhurst? We know of two students who left?

is yda better in terms of ballet tuition do you think?

Or is it what suits each student? 
 

still feeling way through this complete minefield that is ballet!!

Ok so this is clearly not an open forum for discussion as apparently my post was pompous! 

At no point did I say that schools being competition factories was wrong - just sad.

I am entitled to my opinion

I will not dare to comment again as it’s not worth the hassle

how sad that a forum has become competitive parents being rude! 

Its goodbye from me. 

1 minute ago, Mrs Brown said:

I don't understand why it is rude. I didn't say all dads are bored, I said there were numerous bored dads, it is merely an observation that pretty much all the men I see at festivals are sat looking as if they would rather be somewhere else other than when their child is actually dancing. I have seen men sitting clapping with their eyes shut!  I am not being rude, just observing. I actually find the whole festival atmosphere fascinating because I like people watching. Sometimes it is more interesting to watch fellow audience members than some of the dancers. no disrespect to the dancers but it is so interesting to see how people react. 

 

Festivals and competitions have a place in the dance world, they provide competition that is now lacking in many schools but which is important for learning how to deal with real life. They provide a performance opportunity for those at dance schools which only do shows every few years. They give children a personal challenge. As long as the child wants to do them and finds them rewarding then they serve a good purpose. My only bug bear with festivals is that sometimes you get a nasty atmosphere (not something we generally experience in our local festivals but I have definitely seen it with my youngest daughter shoved physically by bigger girls) and that sometimes adjudicators could do with more education in certain areas.

Well well

not rude? I disagree 

such a generalisation is unnecessary in my opinion 

competitions and festivals are sometimes full of talent but also often full of parents and guardians who are so pushy and competitive that the whole ethos is lost. I say sometimes so as to not generalise.

i agree with Mr Pownys concerns.

. Some schools are just competition and festival factories and it’s sad. 

This is just my opinion 

On 01/06/2019 at 08:54, Mrs Brown said:

I always think it is a little insulting for so many to leave just before someone dances, I do understand why as there are numerous bored dads at festivals usually but it must be hard if you are the next dancer. Our local festival seemed to have pretty good behaviour from the audience, lots of good applause even from random people who didn't know the children which I thought was nice although I will never understand why people can't take their rubbish away with them. I was horrified how many things were just left on the floor under the chairs. Especially given it is nearly always staffed purely by volunteers.

Bored dads?! That’s rude and a complete generalisation. Proud thrilled excited dad’s and mums. Who’s to say there weren’t bored mums too?

Too many competitive parents or guardians on this thread. Mr Powney from White Lodge wrote an extremely interesting and imho astute article recently about competitions and festivals, and concerns over them.

My DC’s teacher is against them

and I wholeheartedly agree! 

I agree totally

Many different options out there

even with some help we couldn’t pay the boarding fees on top

But we are not downhearted as our  dd has opportunities for next year 

I think a boarding school is better for us rather than one where it’s just staying arrangements 

however I know Yda is good so wish everyone there the best of luck

wr know a student who moved to another school from Yda and is very pleased

so choices are individual in the end really 

good luck to all 

Not going to YDA after all as flat fell through and we can’t pay boarding fees as well as fees

also heard very alarming stories about the boarding arrangements and having to move out etc

not ideal

looking at other options

all the best to everyone 

Hope we don’t have to wait a lot longer as one of my DC waiting for MA results for Bath

word is that it’s a very strong class so not sure if they’ll get a position in that class 

paying for private’s if not successful 

20 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Many dancers, particularly those who feel they are not appreciated and are not receiving enough corrections where they are training, try to add suplementary classes.  Some ask permission, some don't bother.  Some Associate schemes actually boast that they have pupils from Vocational schools taking part!

I honestly think it is selfish for vocational students too take up associate places where other DC could do them

just my thought

also Yda strict about pupils not going other things but we know about kids who have done competitions and shows with other dance schools 

its an unfair workd

we are still deciding about Yda fir next year 

looks good and that confirmed for us to use midweek 

16 hours ago, NicolaP17 said:

My dd was on the swl last year unfortunately no place came available , it would be her absolute dream to get an MA place this year... It is so precious to those dc that attend state schools and attend regular dance classes locally.

Good luck to her 🍀

wjen are the ma and sa results being sent out?

22 hours ago, PenguinBoysMum said:

Can't quite believe I'm posting this but DS has been offered an MDS place at Hammond for year 8!!!

 

It's already been a long journey of nos and he's worked so hard for this I am so proud of his resilience.

 

To those who have received nos this time round, don't give up hope.

 

xx

Magnificent news excellent 

Yeah

i think Yda kids do MAs

i do not think that’s enough rest but that is there decision

So those are fees then have to pay boarding on top?? How much is that

may have to withdraw as couldn’t possibly pay it all

london living in the week may be a better option 

how do people pay it? 🙁

So how does the funding happen? If she got a place would we have to pay for fees and boarding? Not sure we can do it without mds as not on big incomes 

how much would we have to pay? 

Thank you

5 minutes ago, margarite said:

I don't think it's 'easy' to get a place, my daughter auditioned last year (she was an associate there) and she said the standard was higher than all the other prelims. Why not contact them? I don't think they've had their finals yet?

Did she get a place?

Is she happy there 

heard standard high and school subjects is good but also that lots of “who you know” getting people in. Could be untrue.

not a clue really. 

It’s the boarding that concerns me 

Oh thank you

a bit unsure how it works 

Heard good and bad stuff about this school. DD didn’t get offered place at WL at finals. Wondered what Yda school is like as not boarding school but we have a flat in London we can use and I could live there and work from home while dd at school. Been told easy to get a place if know right people? Any views welcomed