Millicent

I've seen some really funny duets/trios for little ones based on things like Dennis the Menace and that song "I don't like broccoli". Always good to have something slightly different that the adjudicator hasn't seen a thousand times before. 

RBS close theirs two weeks before the first intensive.

As far as I know CD uses just a normal resistance band in her exercises. If it's too long you can cut it with scissors? 

I suspect a teacher teaching their students concepts from the content in a live class is quite a different experience to a student following the online class themselves. 

We've tried one. Thought it was OK but very slow and basic and DD didn't want to do another one.

If they're canvas you can wash on a gentle cycle. 

Any recommendations for sanitary protection that doesn't show under leotards. I love period pants but doubt the vocational school laundry could deal with those...

We will be turning down our MA place and I know we're not the only ones, so there will be movement on the waiting list. 

I thought that RBS students do the vocational RAD exams on Saturday mornings, same as Elmhurst? 

Hope you have good news?

I think there was an example given above about parents saying that they didn't like a school and wouldn't accept it even if offered a place while they were at the final audition. I can understand that the other parents in that situation may have had strong feelings about that! It would be insensitive to say the least! 

It may be that people are talking about previous years, not this year, so I wouldn't take it personally.

I don't know, but I suspect people are referring to DC who got an offer from Tring and didn't need funding, who then went to auditions at other schools knowing that they would take Tring over those schools, perhaps Hammond or Elmhurst?

Or perhaps referring to what has happened in previous years, as Elmhurst and WL aren't normally as close together as they were this year and often WL final results came out before the Elmhurst audition. It would seem a bit immoral to me if DC who had accepted WL carried on attending finals at other schools just to be able to show off their results on social media, knowing that it would affect other children's chances of getting into a school that they really wanted, or getting in on the waitlist rather than being "first choice".

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask this question, but am I right in thinking that a lot more UK boys are kept on at WL than UK girls? I'm wondering why this is, as surely the training/selection process is the same for both? 

1 hour ago, OnTheMove said:

That’s awful. I’m so sorry. From what I’ve heard you could have dodged a bullet! So please see it as one door closing opens another one. 

Could I ask what you mean by dodged a bullet? 

Just shows you how the selection process is so unpredictable!

It would be a bit mean of them to give out results today with WL semi-finals in London tomorrow. Would be hard for any 10/11yos who find out they didn't get a place at the SI just before their WL audition. On the other hand, they might not even think like that - that's the ballet world! 

Also, no academic tests mentioned? I understood that in previous years they have done a short assessment. Perhaps the school reference will take the place of that?

Yes that makes sense, thanks. Panic over!

Actually, reading it again I'm even more confused as they are inviting us to a lunch and school tour on the second day. So maybe they just mean that the content of the day will depend on panel deliberations rather than if you will be invited back or not for day 2.

It says the itinerary for day 2 won't be emailed until 4pm on day 1 due to panel deliberations. I wonder if it means they won't know until then whether they want to see certain people again or do a repeat physio or something like that?

Anyone else confused by the final audition email? It sounds like they are doing the same as in previous years and doing a cut after the first day. 

You can buy slot-together foam floor mats that are designed for babies/children pretty cheaply and then cover with a vinyl remnant or a proper dance mat like Harlequin. The foam mats can then be broken up and stacked in a small pile and the dance mat can be rolled up. That's how we prepared our floor for Zoom classes during the lockdowns. It provides just enough give for jumps and pointe work whilst still being stable and flat.

I think the announcements should make it clear that you are allowed to take photos before curtain up and at the curtain calls but at no other times. 

I regularly wash my DD's canvas shoes and they have never shrunk. But I do wash them at 30C on a delicate/silk cycle so if you wash them at a higher temperature then they might shrink?

I dry them overnight in the airing cupboard. 

307 was my overall favourite throughout the week although I didn't get to see her final variations. I also really liked 317 so glad she has got through to finals. I also really liked 302 - very elegant and long-limbed.

RBS have told me there is no clash with Elmhurst finals. The dates given to the Eastleigh JAs were apparently provisional dates and they have now been changed. They haven't said when RBS finals are but there is definitely no clash.