HowMuch!

They’re here! CAT finals for DD!!!!!

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

1 hour ago, BusyDancemum said:

Is anyone doing Northern Summer intensive?

DD isn’t old enough yet.

1 hour ago, Bluebird22 said:

Has anyone heard yet about finals? 

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! 

14 hours ago, TinyNEDancer said:

I hope your DD is feeling much better tomorrow, wishing her all good thoughts @HowMuch! 

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

31 minutes ago, glowlight said:

Reassure her that it won't matter if she has a nose bleed during the audition.  

 

It's one way to get noticed!

 

It might be worth mentioning to the staff when you check her in, and making sure she has a stash of tissues just in case.

😂😂😂 

11 hours ago, Damedolly said:

Fingers crossed she can rest up tomorrow and be fighting fit for Sunday ! 

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?

13 minutes ago, sunrise81 said:

Ah yes....all those stretches that Miss Cara and Miss Hatton tell their students to do at the end of the class when their body is warm enough, so they don't injure themselves!!! My dd has now go to the point of sitting quietly doing a bit f point n flex etc and listening to her music. Good luck!!!!

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. 

12 minutes ago, Damedolly said:

Same times as us for both auditions, see you there! 

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? 

1 hour ago, TinyNEDancer said:

Thanks so much, everyone! I really appreciate your responses.

 

I'll be interested to follow what you decide, @HowMuch! Lots of luck if your DD decides to go for it

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

29 minutes ago, Damedolly said:

My daughter is 13, she goes three nights a week and a Saturday. Three weeks in the summer holidays, half term in October was a day ( I think) and feb half term is three days, after that I’m not sure! My daughter gave everything else up at her local school apart from workshops as  on her two nights off she needed to do homework and rest! Hope that helps x

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. 

7 minutes ago, TinyNEDancer said:

Thanks so much @HowMuch! and everyone else. 
 

I am planning on contacting them myself, but in the meantime, can anyone tell me how much (apart from a lot!) of a commitment it is. What does the timetable look like? Evenings after school (how many), weekend days and holidays? Just so I have an idea if that’s ok. 
 

DD has her usual ballet and other dance classes, as well as musical theatre and 2 x associate programmes, which I would anticipate this would replace (almost all of the above), In the unlikely event she was successful. An idea of how many hours/days would be super helpful! 
 

Thank you so much. 

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? 

47 minutes ago, Yrosered said:

I can't reiterate enough the time commitment. Evenings, weekends and holidays for intensives. But, it's worth it. Small classes, tailored learning, the opportunity to train in the same building as a working company which I think is unique in this country, especially at lower school level and staying in mainstream education to give a good grounding for those that choose another path. DD didn't want to board and we are so lucky that she can get affordable vocational training and live at home. But it takes a lot of work to make it happen logistically, and as she didn't start until Y10 she has done a great deal of independent travel from the start thank goodness. But if you can make it work, do. 

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! 😊