TinyNEDancer

Does it matter, do you think, if you can't get to the one you would be auditioning for? One of the other dates is more convenient for us, so I am wondering how important it would be to see the 'local' centre? Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

Thanks so much, everyone has been really helpful. I’ve had a chat to her ballet teacher who was really helpful and lovely. She said she would support her and help where she could. She suggested the same programmes that I had on my list (from this thread largely!). She emphasised how competitive a process it was but felt that my DD would enjoy the auditions/insight days anyway and so not to be put off by this. Suppose I had better make a note of programmes and closing dates etc! DD is at a dance and drama daily summer camp this week, initially for child care whilst I was at work but she asked to go today, which is my day off so I’ll use the free time constructively 😉. I think you might all have older children but if anyone has any of a similar age and might be at the same insight days/auditions then let me know 😊

Wow, they're both brilliant examples of how it can all work out! Well done to both of your DDs! I know I need to try hard to keep her resilient! Thanks Margarite and Mnemo 😊

Thank you, that's reassuring. She's fairly quiet but is v v keen to learn and v resilient. I think your advice and that of others is absolutely right. It can't hurt to go along, take part in insight days etc and find out more.

Thank you so much for the info on Ballet Boost and Hull. I didn't know about Ballet Boost so I looked them up and am very interested. Has your DD been doing the fortnightly classes?

I won’t, thanks! Ballet West is on the radar of things to bear in mind! It’s one Sunday a month, that seems doable... unless it’s snowing! Thanks!

Hi, yes I saw that too. You can register for an alert so I did that earlier in the week. We might see you there 😊

She does tap and modern, with the same teacher, but they don’t do competitions with her dance school. She does stage school but says her favourite part is dancing, although she loves the performance part (and she’s actually quite quiet, but a different child when on a stage or dancing!) 14 years... 😮 wow! Serious expert!

Thanks so much, that’s really helpful! I’ll chat to her teacher more when term starts again. We know of others who have done associate programmes from other ballet schools, I think it’s where she got the idea from! What you said about the auditions and a day out etc is really interesting. That’s definitely the approach I intend to take!

Fantastic, thank you! Well done you! That’s really helpful, I think one of the main things she could work on is her flexibility. She’s not a gymnast. She’s got long legs I think, in comparison to her torso, usual built for a 7 year old who never stops, but she can’t do the splits etc. I wonder how I can help her with that? I’ll chat to her teacher I think.

Yes, the more I read about Elmhurst the more I’m really interested. I think she would love it. We’ll definitely give it a go. We know of a couple of children who have had places on the associate programme and really loved it. It’s fab to hear personal experiences, thanks!

Thanks, that’s a good point. I’ll try and get her to see these days as experiences. She’s level headed hopefully should be ok. I imagine competition is fierce!

Thank you!

Ah that’s brilliant, well done to your DD! There is an insight day in Newcastle I think so I’ll try and get her a place in that. I’m not under any illusions that she would be successful but I think she would really enjoy the insight day anyway. Thanks so much!

Thanks Bethany, I’ll look at this too. Their associate programme starts slightly later and is on a Friday pm I think, which we might not be able to get to, especially every week, but I’ll definitely have a look. She would love to go to something like that! Thanks!

Thanks so much for your replies so far, that’s really helpful. I’m going to give the RBS Insight day a try I think. Well she is! I didn’t know Elmhurst did an insight day, I can’t find details on their website but I’ll have another look today. I’m maybe looking in the wrong place. The impression I get is that the standard for RBS is incredibly high (maybe that is even an understatement?!), and Elmhurst and/or Ballet West might be more achievable, although still very high! Has anyone got experience of the JA programmes for Elmhurst (in the NE) or Ballet West?

Hello My daughter and I are just starting the journey of looking into what else she can do to supplement her weekly ballet classes. She's 7, between grade 1 and grade 2 (she's ready for the G1 exam but can't do it this coming term so will attend a G2 class also in the meantime). She absolutely dance crazy, particularly ballet. She would spend all of her time in a ballet class if she could! So, I've been looking into associate programmes for her, and have noted down some of the key dates for auditions etc. But any help you could offer would be much appreciated! Where should I start? It all seems a bit daunting and everyone else seems to know what they're doing! One of my concerns is I take her to an audition and she's way below the standard of the others and it makes her feel uncomfortable. I think we perhaps need a starting point! We're based in the North East but could travel. Thank you!