Millicent

Oh really?! Which centre are you? We are London and don't have a noticeboard.

Have they published dates for RBS finals?

Results are out for Y7 girls

I can't see a thread anywhere discussing the Prix de Lausanne, which is currently being livestreamed. Would love to discuss this if it is not being discussed elsewhere on the forum...?

Oh good that sounds like a much better system to have fewer people at the final but 2 days. Any idea of how many are likely to be in the final this year? If they're not doing a cut maybe there will only be 25/30? They videod the auditions so I thought they might review them all at the end for any they're not sure about. 12 working days from the 17th is 2nd Feb so that's after all of the auditions.

Thank you. I didn't realise that for finals they do a cut after the first day, I thought everyone attended both days. I suppose at least you know that it's a no straight away!

Just wondering if Elmhurst send out results after each of their 3 semi-final dates (for girls) or send them all out together at the end? Also, how many usually go through to finals?

I should have said Y7 places.

I understand that there were two girls who turned down places at WL this year. I know one has gone to a different vocational school, not sure about the other one.

I think Y7 Tring auditions have already happened and results are out.

Is the lilac size 12 still available?

RBS say that they make decisions based on the auditions and not the photos. The photos are just an aide-memoir if considering a dancer after the audition. No decisions are based on the photos except for summer/spring intensives.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced any of these, whether online or in person, and what kind of exercises they do? Do they run through all the flexibility exercises for example? DD is quite stiff after having the summer off so is worried that she will stick out! I know they aren't assessing them but she wants to be prepared. Thanks.

I just used my local DPS. It cost about £10.

I think this is a great idea but it does depend on having a local teacher that has the time, experience and knowledge of the variations in order to teach the student to the relevant standard. It seems like a great opportunity to gain skills, confidence and experience but sadly it is not accessible for dancers like my DD who, despite being talented, does not have access to the type of training that is necessary to prepare for something like this.

Great, thank you! That's reassuring.

Thanks. One question I have is whether its usual practice to go to more than one shop. For example if she finds a pair she likes at Bloch can I get them to hold that pair for her while she go to another shop? Is that normal practice or will the shop be offended?!

DD is nearly 11 and very excited to be allowed to start pointe work in September. We live near London so I was thinking of booking appointments at Freed, Bloch and Dancia and then seeing which suit her best. Is that the done thing? I have a feeling she will be tricky to fit as she is already a size 5 shoe, has extremely flexible "banana" feet but also very strong. Her teacher seems to think she is going to find pointe a challenge due to her very flexible feet and high arches, and is also likely to destroy shoes quickly! Just wondering if there are any general tips? I did ballet, including pointe work, up to the age of 15 but am certainly not an expert in pointe shoes. Her teacher won't be able to come with us.

For us one of the issues is accessing good quality local training. There are lots of recreational dance schools but they only offer maybe 2-3hrs ballet training a week. There are some excellent private teachers but they are in high demand so managing to get a class (and get there and back) isn't always easy. And that would still only be about 1hr a week. I don't see how it's possible to get local training that is anything near as good as vocational schools can offer. I don't want my DD to go to boarding school but she is desperate for more intensive training and I don't see any viable options for her getting it outside of vocational school.

Thanks, yes we will definitely consider other schools. Although I don't want her to leave home so the more we apply to the more chance of her leaving!

This is definitely sobering information for me, as I have a Y5 JA DD who is desperate to get into WL. I have never been a fan of her ballet career aspirations but am in a difficult position as I don't feel that I can shatter her dreams by bot letting her audition. We don't have access to top quality local training either so she is v keen to go to vocational school. I don't want her to for many reasons but don't feel that I can stop her auditioning. It's a very difficult position to be in. Particularly as she is also very academic and may well get into local super selective grammar schools which offer lots of non-ballet opportunities.

The JA leotards are changing for next year so you may not want to buy those second-hand as they will be the "old" style.

I noticed on the RBS SI it said to wear an elastic belt with leotards. I don't know how strictly they apply this but I've just bought belts in all the different colours of DD's leotards as she doesn't usually wear a belt.

I'm interested in this too. I know that RBS generally like very plain leotards for their auditions so I would assume it is similar for SIs?

Now sold.