BalletBear

I’ve always been taught the same as your daughter, although I’m not sure if it varies by syllabus? I started my training in Australia at a very good school and was always told that by keeping your hips square you will be using your back muscles correctly, thus strengthening them. I know that sometimes dancers twist their working hip slightly in order to raise their leg but I was always told it ruins the line. Mind you, I could be completely wrong and someone with a bit more experience may be able to advise you better! Xx

I think last year was the 8th of March (?) but I’m not certain xx

1 minute ago, Lara Eschler said:

I just emailed them regarding the date/accommodation confusion and got an automated reply saying that Upper School Summer Intensive Results will be issued on Thursday 16 January

Thank you, that’s very helpful (though I’m really not expecting anything!). Congratulations to everyone who got a yes and best wishes to everyone with a not yet 💕 xx

Hi everyone, does anybody know if just the White Lodge results are out or if Covent Garden ones are too? Xx

1 hour ago, Mrs Brown said:

I have just ordered these for my youngest. Thank you 

I hope that they enjoy them! 

Thank you very much meadowblythe. I’m auditioning for elmhurst, central, ballet west and btuk (I understand that the last two schools don’t wish to be spoken about publicly, but I’m not sure if it’s ok to mention the names - if not I can edit my post x). I have! I looked like I’d packed for my Duke of Edinburgh expedition all over again! But best to be prepared! My teacher has also mentioned Northern Ballet School in Manchester, but they I believe that they have  slightly later audition dates and so we’ll just see how I go, especially with mocks at school, etc. Best of luck to anyone auditioning this year. I wish you the very best 💕

If you want any fiction books, the Royal Ballet School Diaries (I think they are by an author called Alexandra Moss) are a wonderful set of books that follow year 7 at the school. I believe they can be ordered off amazon (which is where I got my set ) as I don’t think I’ve seen them anywhere else. They are quite short and might possibly be a tad bit easy for year 8 but they are very interesting!  

Hi! I’m auditioning for year 12 starting tomorrow too. It is quite quiet isn’t it? I haven’t had any yet but I’ll let you know later on if you like? Best of luck to your dd xx

Just now, Pups_mum said:

For what its worth I would call the Wear Moi Galate a camisole leotard. And a very nice one at that. Remember that the panel are looking at YOU, not your leotard. Yes, ok, if they have asked for black camisole you would be daft to go wearing a neon pink tank leotard, but little details like a tiny flower or the width of your straps are not worth worrying about. Wear the one that you are most comfortable in and you feel you will perform best in. Goos luck, and enjoy the experience.

Thank you for answering. I did think that the wear moi was a camisole but I just wanted to double check! I think I’m going to wear that one, it’s actually my favourite leotard out of all of them (though my mum doesn’t believe that the number of colours I have in one style is justifiable!)  I will, I’m actually really looking forward to it! 

8 minutes ago, Dancing unicorn said:

I would take both! See what others are wearing and then decide! If the motif is not that noticeable I would go with that!

Good luck 🍀

That’s a very good idea! I’ll wear one and bring the other, I’ll have enough time after signing in anyway to change if needed, looking at the timetable of the day. Thank you very much 💕

Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone could help me out, I have an audition tomorrow and the school requests a black camisole leotard. I have 2 black leotards with thin straps, one being a more classical camisole leotard with a small black flower detail on the front at the top (it’s not that big) from Bloch and the other leotard is a wear moi galate, which has slightly thicker straps and so I’m not sure if it counts as a camisole. I prefer the wear moi one but I was just wondering if anyone believes that it would be better to wear the Bloch one as it’s more traditional for what they are asking. Thank you x 

I know it’s not really on technique and the students might not possibly enjoy it, but I loved reading Mao’s Last Dancer a few years ago xx

4 hours ago, Sereia said:

I’m so sorry to hear of those of you who haven’t been given places this time around. I wasn’t sure whether to post or not, but my dd was very lucky to receive a yes from CBA yesterday. She is over the moon and looking forward to her first session in January. 

Massive congratulations to your dd! I’m glad you posted, I think it’s really important to celebrate moments like these! I hope she has the best time ever! Xx

PS. Do you mind me asking how old she is? 

22 minutes ago, TKT said:

Oh BalletBear I am sorry to here it was a no for you too... Although a lovely experience, I agree it is disheartening. My DD would love to go to vocational school so I’ll look forward to anyone who can answer this thread for you. Have you auditioned for any other associate schemes? Xx

Thank you! Yes, I agree it was a lonely experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I’ve auditioned for elmhurst and another smaller one that is reasonably local to me (I live in quite a rural area). I wonder if it may partially be because I’m in year 11 and so there are less places because not many people would leave in such an important year? Anyways, onwards and upwards! Good luck to your dd x

Hi! I just found out I wasn’t offered a place either. My letter just mentioned the other programmes but nothing about auditioning again. Sorry for anyone else that didn’t get in💕. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any students who weren’t excepted into any associate schemes but got a full-time 16+ place at a school? It’s times like this when it’s all a bit disheartening and I’ve just got to tell my self to keep going! Best wishes to everyone for the future xx

26 minutes ago, TKT said:

Overmyhead - I think we have the Tring bug too! My DD thinks the audition went very well (largely because she smiled her way through & enjoyed herself), I just gently reassured her that if it’s not the right time now, there will be more opportunities to audition again... 

 

Thanks Anna C, I’ve read previous posts on your fondness of Tring, it’s very reassuring to such an unfamiliar world to me us. 
 

BalletBear! I’m so pleased you loved your audition too. My DD said some areas she was unsure on & she did say 1 or 2 were more advanced / confident but she smiled her way through - I can’t ask anymore, bless her. All the very best of luck to you. Do you know how many places are available? On previous threads it’s something like an estimate of 100 dancers for 10 places? Xx
 

 

Thank you! Yes, there was a step in my group’s petit allegro that I wasn’t too sure about, but I gave it my best shot! I’m not sure how many places are available though I’m assuming that there won’t be as many as there would for the May audition because it’s a mid year entry point. Best of luck x

Hi! I also auditioned yesterday and I loved every minute of it. I can’t remember the name of the teacher who took the class (which annoys me!), but she was wonderful! I thought it was such a lovely environment, while being challenging at the same time. I also got to meet up with a friend from summer school which was great! Good luck to everyone waiting on results, I’ll be rooting for you x

2 minutes ago, TKT said:

Bless your heart BalletBear! Thank you so much for your kindness & encouragement... That’s brilliant advise ‘Show off your Spark’ because you can’t teach that! I’ll make sure my DD sprinkles her sparkles... We both wish you lots of luck for tomorrows audition too. My DD will be in group 3 at 12 O’clock. Again wishing you lots of luck xxx

 You’re more than welcome! You most definitely can’t, and it’s the passion in a dancer that makes them go far, because you will always be motivated! Thank you! I’m in group 5 tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to it! It’s my first time auditioning for anything at Tring so we’ll see how it goes! Good luck to your dd again x

Hi! I’m also auditioning tomorrow (though I’m 15!), I have a few friends on the programme and they’ve all said that the best thing to do is to demonstrate to the panel how much you love to dance because that ‘spark’ shows how special you are as a dancer. Don’t be put off trying again if you need to (I’m sure you won’t!), one of my friends auditioned 3 times when she was younger and has now been on the programme for a good few years (she’s bloomed into the most gorgeous dancer!). I wish your dd all the best tomorrow and for any future auditions. Never, ever give up! 💕 xx

On 21/11/2019 at 23:14, DeveloppeD said:

@BalletBear how are you getting on? Wishing you lots of love and luck 🤞🏻♥️

Hi thank you for remembering, that’s really kind of you! I’m going good, most of the applications are being done this weekend (due to a lot happening, so we’re having to be quick about some schools!) and my physio is really helping me so hopefully come auditions I’ll have some shins that don’t hurt too much and I’ll be able to show the panel how much I love to dance! I hope every one else has a great audition season, I’ll be rooting for you! 💕xx

Thank you so much to everyone that’s helped me so far. I really appreciate it xx

4 hours ago, Anna C said:

Great advice by Pups_mum. ☺️. All I would add to that is to take things little by little; literally small steps, one thing at a time.  

 

The first thing I would do - after checking with the Physio - is to find a swimming pool nearby that’s not too cold, and try very small jumps in water, using the rail as a barre.   When my dd was recovering from a back injury, she was allowed to do barre in a swimming pool and it really helped.  If your shins are OK after that, then try some petit allegro at the barre - not leaning on the barre but just using it as a support, resting your hands lightly on it.  If you can do this gradually and get your confidence back, then you can start in centre again but take it very slowly.  Your confidence will come back. 

 

I would postpone the exam for now, even if it’s just until the next session in a few months.   If you understand Adv 1 vocab and are working towards the exam, that will be absolutely fine for Preliminary auditions.  No point in fretting about Finals yet, see how you get on in Prelims first - always one step at a time. 

 

 

Thank you, that sounds like a really good idea! Yes, my exam has peen postponed for a few months, I’m trying work on some new exercises in advanced one so I can understand some things at the auditions! Definitely one step at a time, I’m not even really expecting any finals but I’ll definitely try! Thank you again x

11 minutes ago, Pups_mum said:

Well I am not a dancer Ballet Bear, and I am a lot older than you, but I do have some experience of the anxiety that comes with starting to do things again after yiu have been injured. And the first thing to know is that those anxieties are NORMAL. There is nothing wrong with feeling that way and you are certainly not alone.

Patience, and gradually working back up is key in my experience. Sometimes you have to push a little beyond your comfort zone, but do it gently and slowly so you don't set yourself back. That can be very frustrating of course, but remember the tale of the tortoise and the hare.

Dont be afraid to talk to people, both the supportive adults in your life and your friends. They will probably be more understanding than you think. Bottling stuff up never helps. You have a lot on at the moment, your injury, auditions and I presume GCSEs. That can be very stressful. You might benefit from learning some relaxation strategies. Do you have a counsellor or a learning support department at your academic school? They may be able to point you in the right direction.

I hope you feel better soon. Be kind to yourself!

Thank you so much! That was really helpful, yes I do have gcses this year (Mocks soon!!). I’ll try, I guess it’s something that needs to be a work in progress. Oh and yes there is one at school, so thanks for that idea!  Thank you again xx

Hello everyone!

 I was wondering if anybody could help me with a few worries that I have about dancing and I know they aren’t the biggest problems in the world but I’ve been struggling with overcoming them recently. 
 

While at summer school, I developed shin splints which has meant that since I’ve been back at ballet I haven’t been jumping. My physio is currently easing me back into jumping but I’m so scared to try because I don’t want to feel the pain that I felt when I kept on pushing through the pain at summer school! Does anyone have any ideas on how to overcome this fear?

Also, I am auditioning for upper schools this year and while I don’t expect any places one can try! However, I’m only in RAD Intermediate (with 1 ISTD Advanced 1 class a week) and I really lack confidence in auditions (and an invitational class at my studio) because of it. I was supposed to take my exam in a few weeks but even though my shins are nearly fully recovered, it obviously wouldn’t be a good idea! Does anyone have an experience with overcoming self-confidence doubts and expressing their love for ballet in auditions? 
 

I’m sorry this is so long but I knew that everyone here has lots of experience and the help I’ve received in the past has been wonderful. Thank you in advance! 😊
 

BalletBear x

Sorry I’ve just seen that you wanted leather!