ProudDanceDad

3 minutes ago, Birdy said:

Dutch National is easy as far as a residency permit. The program is run through Amsterdam University of the Arts. They initiate the process. Then you show financial means to support them, upload passport and other documents and pay fee. Once approved student has biometrics done at a quick 10 minute appointment. Permit is good for about 28 months. After the first year student just needs to confirm online that they aren’t failing classes and still have financial means to stay. The student residency permit also allows them to work. 

Thank you, this all really helps

9 minutes ago, Tiaramum said:

ESB is a no due to visa, Brussels International Ballet Academy, John Cranko, POB, La Scala, Dutch National are all ok. Definitely worth applying for. Good luck with your choices. Upper School audition season is an adventure on a whole new level. 

Thank you very much, very helpful

4 minutes ago, Kerfuffle said:

Hi Proud Dance  Dad I think that training abroad is still mostly a viable option, but there are a couple that have been affected such as European School of Ballet in Amsterdam  (a visa only lasts six months if no EU passport so you have to alternate with six months here) and KHIO in Norway which has had to introduce fees for non EU passport holders. This is as far as I’m aware from my research last year - my DD is now training here post 16. 

Oh so they're definitely worth auditioning for then, just maybe a few more hoops to jump through. Thanks 

Apologies if this has been answered already, maybe someone can point me in the direction...

Auditions next year for Upper Schools, obviously UK is fine but is it possible to train abroad or has being out of the EU scuppered that? Don't want to waste mine or my daughters time looking schools up if it's a non starter.

Thank you

YES for DD London Y5 !!! Can't wait to tell her!!

46 minutes ago, Dancermom said:

Hi, my DD has a final audition at white lodge, she isn’t a JA so I was just wondering what type of things they are looking for in the physio assessment? Do you think all of them will see the physio or just those that they want to call back? Xx 

Last years finals everyone saw the pyshio, it was part of their 2 days. My DD said they made them do a few movements, nothing out the ordinary, i think it's to make sure there is nothing glaringly obvious that will impede their training.

My DD wasn't a JA either, she's now at WL. Good Luck.

My daughter was SWL for year 6 JA, it was the only time she auditioned for JA's. The year after she gained a place at WL. Never give up !

26 minutes ago, Sally-Anne said:

Congratulations to your DD - what an amazing achievement. Is she a JA?

No, she was never a JA. 

Absolutely shocked.....a YES for my DD for Year 7!!! Just told her.....tears and screams all round.

Finals tomorrow, very excited here !!! Quick question. Can the girls wear their dance school tracksuits?

Good luck to everyone for tomorrow and Friday.

Emails for White Lodge finals are out, for the Bath auditionees

DD has been invited for final audition in London

SWL for London 1 !!

All being well......Totnes and London 1 today !!

Let the nerves and refreshing begin!

Good luck all 

Great to hear the good news stories coming from this thread, obviously some very talented boys and girls up and down the country. Well done to all whatever the outcome!

A few more days to go for our London results 🤞 

Just now, SissonneDoublee said:

JAs keep their place through until the end of Year 6, except in unusual circumstances. Everyone has to reaudition for Year 7 places, whether MA or WL, and places from then on are subject to annual assessments.

Thank you for the info....seems that little glimmer of hope just got smaller

I was under the impression that everyone has to audition again, even if they were a JA the previous year?

My DD auditioned yesterday, thoroughly enjoyed herself, if anyone is interested she did give me a brief outline of what they did:

Stretches -

Froggy

Froggy but on back pushing legs to floor

Sitting with legs straight, and reaching for toes, trying to get a flat back

box splits

front splits

Laying on front, then arching back

She spoke about Barre work, and also spoke about some improv that they did where they sat on the floor and used their arms to improvise the sun, wind and rain.

Jumps in first position. Solo gallops.

I believe that was about it, like I said she loved the whole experience and we are extremely pleased that we went, the place is stacked in history, really amazing.

My First Ballet - Sleeping Beauty @ Tunbridge Wells Assembly Halls Sunday 9th June 15:00

Tiered Stalls Row M - Seats 20 21 22 23 24

I am no longer able to make this performance so selling tickets, willing to sell as a job lot or individually, face value is £27.75, more than willing to take offers.

Electronic tickets

Thanks

Received for London, today. 

The London Ballet Company run on Sundays (once a month) with an Easter intensive included.

2 minutes ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Hello and welcome.

 

You say your daughter is 10, what school year is she in.

 

Disregarding competitions for the moment (of which I have no experience whatsoever) regarding auditions there are a few differnt kinds you may want to consider with varying outcomes.

 

1.  Auditions for Associate Schemes - The purpose of such schemes is to givce talented children extra, high level training with other like minded children.  They are not only available for ballet, ut also other dance forms.  Some are associated with vocational schools (eg RBS/Elmhurst/Tring/Hammond) others are independently run.  Travelling times are something to consider when deciding which ones to apply to.

 

2. Auditions for Performance Opportunities - You have already named some of these.  They can be expensive but offer a lovely opportunity for those children selected.

 

3. Auditions for full time vocational school - This is not for everyone, lots of things have to be taken into consideration, whether your child wants to go away to baording school (most of us never dreamed we'd be sending our kids away) and whether you can access high level training nearer home.  Most families begin to consider this during the latter part of Year 5, beginning of Year 6 as the main point of entry is Apply in September of Year 6 for entry in September of Year 7.  However you can apply in later years too.  Don't be put off by the fees until you have looked into it a little more.  RBS, Elmhurst, Tring & Hammond all have MDS places available where parents pay fees on a sliding scale according to parental income.  Only you can assess your family circumstances and whether you would be able to manage any expected contribution.  You do have to be aware that Tring and Hammond do not have enough MDS places for everyone though.

 

One more thing you may want to consider is a summer school.  Some are residential, some not.  Some are run by the vocational schools others are independent.  Some are pure ballet, others are various dance forms.  They can be fun and a way to meet other like minded children.

Thanks , this is really eye opening.

My daughter is year 5, so definitely worth a look into schools MDS places.

Really appreciate the reply

28 minutes ago, Anna C said:

 

Hello, TheDanceDad and welcome.  Whether you go down the auditions or competition route will depend on a few things.  Firstly, how keen is your dd on trying for a place at full-time ballet school? Is a career as a ballet dancer her eventual aim?  

 

If so, does she have the required physique for classical ballet?  At 10 this will mainly be turnout (active and passive), a decent degree of flexibility (or at least no physical reason for inflexibility), long legs in comparison to her torso, feet and ankles flexible enough to function en pointe and so on.  If you haven’t already been given an idea of her “facility” (basically all these physical attributes) then a good teacher should certainly be able to tell you.  

 

The next step would be to gauge her potential, talent, musicality and - to a lesser degree - technique against other girls of her age.  Auditioning for Associates is one way, as is auditioning for youth ballets like London Children’s Ballet.  Depending upon where you are in the country and how far you are able to travel, there are several reputable and established schemes around the UK.  

 

Has your daughter taken any ballet exams and if so, how did she do?  Exams are a snapshot of someone’s performance on one day and marks can be affected by lots of factors but the teacher should have an idea of the standard a student is working at which can be helpful. Again though, at 10, schools will be looking for potential to study.  

 

Competitions can be fun and can certainly improve performance, musicality, projecting to the audience and so on.  Personally I would not rely on comps to prepare a young dancer for full time training at the expense of technique, body conditioning, non-syllabus work and quality teaching but as an occasional thing - Cecchetti or RAD awards etc - they can certainly be beneficial. 

 

What sort of dance school is your dd currently at? Does it have a good track record for getting children into Associates and full time training? Does it offer graded and non-syllabus classes? 

 

Sorry - I’ve bombarded you with questions. ☺️ But before people can give you advice it’s always helpful to know where your dd is at in terms of goals and so on.  

 

Grateful and thankful of the bombardment,

She is very fortunate to have the 'classical' ballet look, as for full time ballet school, yes this would definitely be something she'd love although having looked at the prices it wouldn't be something we would be able to achieve.

Her last RAD ballet exam (Grade 2) she scored 89

The dance school does have a good track record but it is a large school and I appreciate everyone needs attention, thus making it a little more difficult to gain snippets of info into other regions....not to disrespect the school or teachers by any means.

Simply looking for different ways to further a possible career in ballet

Thanks again

Hi guys, 

 Pretty new to this game so bare with,

My daughter is 10 years old, very keen and pretty good (I am a little bias), she wants to start auditioning and to do more competitions, so here's where I need help...….I've looked through threads and found things like RBS junior associate, London Children's Ballet etc.. Is there more? 

Thanks in advance

Hi Nicola, what is the minimum age for this, please?

My daughter is a Junior Associate at TLBC, she absolutely loves it and her ballet has improved so much. Great teachers and great facilities. Highly recommend.