HowMuch!

They’re here! CAT finals for DD!!!!!

Any news for anyone yet? I’m trying not to over check my emails!!!

DD isn’t old enough yet.

Last year it was on the Thursday so I’m trying not to over-check my emails yet 😂 There was an email today from the academy staff which got me excited but it was just about Coronavirus advice! 😬

And rest! What a busy day! Lovely to meet @Damedolly in real life!

Thank you. She’s just got up and is full of excitement!

😂😂😂

She seems a bit brighter this morning. Hopefully a quiet day today and strict intrusions to take it easy in ballet class today will help. X

Argh!!!! DD has come home from school with a horrid cold and has had several nosebleeds today! She’s terrified she’ll have a nosebleed mid-audition! 🙈

Hi all, Would anyone mind giving me a brief insight into what they do at the CAT prelim audition. DD has both CAT and associate auditions on Sunday and whilst she’s experienced the associate audition before, I’m wondering what happens in the CAT one. Thank you!

If the exams are RAD then they’re not supposed to mark down for uniform. My DD wore ruched for exams.

I definitely recommend both ruching and capezio. My DD has the capezio cc101(?) and its really thick and lined. Very flattering line and quite firm so it will hold everything in - my DD hasn’t got to that stage yet but I can see it being a good leotard. So much nicer than her RAD tank she has to wear for exams! My DD found the double stitching in shelf lined tank leotards a bit itchy and she’s a fidget so we’re going to avoid those.

Thank you for all these helpful replies. I won’t reply individually but you’ve brought up a few points that I had wondered about. Shes not moved up a grade, but is nearing exam time so the corrections are coming in thick and fast. It could well be that she’s forcing her turnout more than her strength is ready for. She has been wearing split soles for a year, I was wary of her having them but it is a uniform requirement for both schools she attends. Neither school will have a problem with her using full soles though so that will be easy to solve. I was very unsure of ballet arch supports and I’m relieved to hear that they’re not helpful. She’s got some exercises to do and will wear soft orthotics in her weekend/school shoes for a while. I’ve only noticed the problem at ballet so it does sound like a turnout related issue rather than anything else. Along with a growth spurt perhaps. Thank you again for the wisdom!

Any advice? My DD has been having ankle pain for a few weeks. In her class this week I was able to sneak a look at her and I’ve noticed she’s started rolling her feet in - I’m not sure what the technical term is, but she ends up quite flat footed. This is a new ‘thing’ for her, she ordinarily has quite high arches and good strength so I’m assuming it’s due to a growth spurt and everything being a bit out of sync. Her sibling has hyperflexible feet/ankles and has similar issues resolved with orthotics - we’ll see our orthotist friend for advice for any supports for DD. My question is, are the arch supports designed for using in ballet shoes any good? I’ve seen the capezio ones online and they look odd? Or the gel ones? I’m thinking for temporary support/correction whilst she builds up strength through exercises? Or is it best to just avoid them?

I’ve just realised that because of half term and a family event, my DD won’t have been in a ballet class for 2 weeks prior to the audition! I’m not sure what I think of this?

It drives me mad seeing all these girls doing the splits before they’ve even moved! DD will most likely do a few nervous hops from foot to foot and then ask to wait in the foyer.

I’ll be the jittery one trying to hide my jitters whilst getting DD to ignore all the competitive stretching! 😂

Email came! CAT at 10.30 then back at 3.15 for associates. Eek!!!!

Nothing yet here either. If nothing comes through today via email then I might give them a call. I’m in a panic that I didn’t pay the fee!!!!

Anyone doing Leeds auditions? We’re not sure yet, the insight day was lovely but it would make our saturdays really hectic.

Has anyone heard back yet about audition times?

Her application for audition is sent in. I just hope she gets through to finals again!

Good timing! I was just looking to see who had DCs in the higher levels! I think @Tinks and @sunrise81 might have older DDs in higher levels too.

At level 1 they go after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I can’t remember the exact times but it was something like 5-7.30. Then all day Saturday. But, they emphasised that each student gets a bespoke training schedule based on their needs etc. Then there’s intensives each school holiday, but not every day of the holiday. They have occasional family weekends throughout the year where they get the weekend off. I felt quite reassured that there is good communication between parents and staff so that other interests and family life are thought about too, they are also very aware of the distances some students travel. They can continue to attend other associates and local classes if they don’t clash with CAT. BUT, even with all that reassurance it’s still a huge commitment that we’ll take time to think about if DD gets a place. That’s all I can remember from the info given, I hope that helps. My DD goes to their open classes and my experience of the staff is that they are lovely, approachable and easy to get in touch with. It might be worth giving them a call for a chat maybe?

It is a huge commitment and certainly not one we’d take without thought. Part of me hopes if she’s successful during this years auditions, that she gets associates rather than CAT! But, it’s her dream so if CAT is a yes then we’ll make it work. We’ll take each step as it comes and enjoy the ride! 😊