MPatti

balletmom8 don’t forget the hunger factor! Although my DD had no complaints about the food (except limits on dessert!) at White Lodge, she lost weight! And she doesn’t have much to lose! She was starving, and since the demonstration ends at Noon, we didn’t actually sit down for lunch until 2:30! Nice juicy hamburger and Halloumi fries!! Enjoy an extra night, it is worth not worrying about traffic and security lines at Heathrow.

I would contact the school as to whether or not they plan on the Parent Demonstration that day. If so, that ends around noon, but your DD will need to get bags from her room, and then bring them back up front. You would want to have an Uber pick you up directly at White Lodge instead of trying to get on the crowded shuttles back to Richmond, and you should ask the school if that is allowed as policies may vary. They were very much encouraging everybody to use the shuttle back to Richmond. We waited at least 30 min for that. Depending on where you live in the USA, for us West Coast people it is pretty near impossible to catch a flight back home same day with the program ending at noon.

FlexyNexy, I was just talking with some UK family. You mentioned you have an appointment for next year, have you requested it to be expedited? My family mentioned you can request that, and need to list your reason. Not sure if that helps, or if you did that already.

FlexyNexy, I am so sorry that is the case. I will say in my past experience, if the schools know anybody (friend of friend etc) who works for the US state department, they can sometimes move things along. Ask everybody you know and see if they know anybody!! Wishing you the best of luck. This is just horrible…

I also found the review website trustpilot somewhat helpful in seeing whether the experiences of past travelers is what these websites promise. Based on that I would not use Rapidtesting, which I mentioned in my post above. Thank you for the info BalletActive! Trying to get these booked shortly.

There are several clinics in Central London. From UK govt website I have found: 1rapidclinics in marylebone 134pounds for day 2&8, plus 94pounds day 5. Expresstest is at Heathrow and also Paddington station, 139pounds day 2&8, not sure about day 5, Biogroup-Lab in Marleybone and Fitzrovia, 225 pounds for Day 2, 5, &8. there are more options, but get more expensive. All of the above take weekend appts. Turnaround time varies but I think mostly 24 hours for day 5. Mail in options are cheaper, but don't work very well if you are not staying with family or your hotel doesn't accept mail for you...

Has anybody received the handbook yet? Thanks!

Here is the boys list from 2019, and also list of linens. "BOYS: RECOMMENDED CLOTHING All items must be clearly named: • Dance Trunks (shorts) or Footless Tights • Fitted White t-shirts/Leotards * • Appropriate supportive undergarment for male dancers i.e. dance belt • White* socks • White* soft ballet shoes • Character shoes (usually black)** • Trainers/Sneakers for Creative Street Dance (ballet or jazz shoes may be worn) • Tracksuit (for between classes) • Outdoor footwear (for between classes) * Black items are also acceptable ** Please bring character shoes if you already own a pair, there is no need to purchase shoes just for the course" "Residential students must bring towels and bedding which should include: 2 x sheets, a duvet cover and pillow case to fit a standard single bed. A single size duvet and pillow will be provided for every student, you do not need to bring your own."

White Lodge list from 2019, doesn't mean it will be the same for 2021: GIRLS: RECOMMENDED CLOTHING All items must be clearly named: • Leotards • Pink tights/pink ankle socks • Pointe shoes (only girls who are currently working en pointe should bring their pointe shoes) • Soft ballet shoes for flat work (with elastics only, no ribbons) • Character shoes * • National skirt **(the national skirt is a full circular cotton skirt. Generally black or blue, has an elasticated waist and should come to just below the knee • Jazz shoes (ballet shoes may be worn) • Footless or convertible tights • Waist elastic • Tracksuit (for between classes) • Trainers / sneakers (for between classes) * Please bring character shoes if you already own a pair, there is no need to purchase shoes just for the course ** If you do not have a national skirt, please bring a long practise skirt

Question about current bubble rules at Upper school, and how they might apply to this summer at Covent Garden For Summer, the RBS website indicates the following “we will not be able to allow day students to enter in and out of the group ‘bubbles’ created for the duration of your child’s stay. Should the situation change we will relook at what is possible closer to the course dates and inform you accordingly.“ Does this mean CG students won’t be able to leave to explore for touring on the weekends? would they be able to meet up with family on the weekend? Just trying to plan extended family visits in London and wasn’t sure if that would be possible during the course with the “bubble rules.” Any insight appreciated!

To me the word “potential” has been very nebulous. What does that really mean? Having seen RBS summer parent observation, DD opportunity to take Summer class last year virtually with Powney, I came to at least part of the equation- your child’s ability to follow lengthy instructions for combinations, remembering them without watching other kids and staying on the music as they have the confidence to know what to do ( as they get older I am amazed at how some can do this so well), do a variation in time with the music with a group after having practiced it only a few times with said group and not having the benefit of a personal coach for weeks on end to teach you), and finally actually applying the corrections. And if after all that and more you can still manage to have some artistry, that is potential. Although these observations were for age 14 plus, they could be scaled down for age. What other specific components of potential have others seen and observed with RBS?

Cantref it seems if they are taking international students, they need to apply to get on the list from their end. You may be able to sway them, as Houston Ballet Academy is on the list, ABT JKO, Joffrey, Orlando Ballet, etc. There are many small high schools (Public and private) who take foreign exchange Students who are on the list, Many small private universities. So not sure they can get around it if you are paying them tuition. Good luck!

There are lots of Ballet schools on the SEVP list. If they are a school, they should get on the list if they are accepting international students. The list is lengthy and includes many small schools of all sorts. I am confused, are you paying tuition or is this a ballet contract and will be receiving pay? Is there a school associated with the ballet company?

MariCat, the kids will share with their close friends, there is no keeping that quiet. (At least with girls). I guess that will depend on your studio and how close the dancers are with friendships. Ours are tight night and they learn to cope with friends getting better roles and they know their “pecking” order so as dancers they learn to become resilient and bounce back from disappointments. As they get older at 15 plus it is harder. As far as a parent, in the year that my DD pretty much got into every big three letter school Summer program, I laid low and didn’t enter the studio for several weeks. With COVID rules, that should be easy on your part!! Let the news bubble up from the kids naturally, give parents some breathing room of a few weeks and let them ask you questions, not bringing it up personally.

Alison, I didn't say it doesn't happen. It is outside the average age. So yes it does happen, we all know people, but with dancing 30 hours a week it should have been looked into. She clearly stated before vocational school at age 16 she was dancing 30 hours per week, periodically getting 3 hours of sleep a night. This is not healthy and should have been looked into. It has been known for decades now that the excessive hours of training in gymnasts caused irreversible health damage to those girls.

I have watched the YouTube video and believe there were several red flags that got missed by her own family and the school. I do not mean to discount the others here who have posted as each story is unique. And I truly mean that. But it is NOT normal to go through puberty at 16/17. It is rare, and if your DD is dancing 30 hours a week, and you as a parent are ignoring this issue, then I guess you haven’t seen Adult gymnasts who over trained in the 80s. We must learn from the past and not stick our heads in the sand. It is not normal to do 30 hours of ballet at age 14-16, and if she had had not completed puberty why did her family and teachers not pare back the ballet hours? And finally every teacher and parent knows our bodies change as we go through puberty. To send her to vocational school Prior to this without knowing the end result, with having to adjust to a changing body with new teachers and away from home, and to be accepted by the school without careful watch seems unacceptable. With that said, there was a webinar recently about in the last 4 years how the RBS physio team has approached training through the key growth spurt years. How much it involves nutrition was not discussed and could be still lacking Or an area that they plan to enhance in the future. But they are very focused on injury prevention and paring back training during growth spurts(mostly at lower school) and it was discussed in detail for a physio audience, not necessarily parents.

We received email on Monday that they are trying to figure it out, that international will not be at the in person auditions. In person date for upper school on website is March 27. Maybe I am connecting dots. But Email was clear that they are looking at alternatives that would still be fair even though international applicants would not attend in person in London on 27th. Maybe it depends what country you are from???

From what I have read here, and also my DD just heard interview with Claudia Dean ( which was years ago) somewhere in the 30 to 50 range. And they take maybe 3 on a good year? International applicant finals will be virtual, so not sure how many that is. Congrats to your DD!

This is a good question and there doesn’t seem to be much in the thread that is posted above. Would especially love insight into RBS upper school interview.

hgib23, I would do a lot, can’t stress enough, of research on safety in NYC right now. People leaving like crazy, crime is very very high. My one friend, single male in his 50s, fit, lived in NYC for over 20 years, left recently as he feared for his safety. I would want to know dorm location vs studios, etc. I can’t stress this enough. If you know locals, it would be best to be able to lean on them for advice if you are seriously considering. It is hard to get a view when we are so far away...

My DD still recovering from stress fracture from last summer. Only MRI will show it. But if you suspect it and can’t get MRI, the treatment for stress fracture is a boot and no dance for 4 weeks...If you can’t get the boot, crutches work. But no dance at all. After one week in the boot, my DD felt better, so it wouldn’t hurt to try one week Of no dance, no walking on it, to see if it makes a difference. There have seemed to be more injuries this year at DD studio ( we are in US) and my concern is they are not getting what they need virtually, then come back to studio too fast and are resulting in injury. Uncharted territory, unfortunately.

Does anybody have insight into Upper School final audition phases, and which schools might ask for actual medical records, dates of injuries etc? My DD is concerned a recent injury, although not serious, may affect any acceptances next year due to how recent it is.

My DD 15 was also supposed to attend White Lodge SI20, attended many of the virtual sessions and got a Direct Entry award to Covent Garden for 2021. Emotional year, SI20 would have been her 2nd and last year at White Lodge. She wasn't thrilled about virtual, but I encouraged her anyway as it seems RBS is always looking for and awarding dancers who attend FT auditions, Master Classes, etc. So this really gave a boost to her motivation and confidence. Congrats tired dance mummy to your DD!

I am confused. I thought RBS was no longer participating in YAGP, yet this was just posted today. From RBS Facebook page "We were very excited about attending the Youth America Grand Prix finals this year. Sadly this couldn't happen, but we are happy to say we are participating in the YAGP 2020 virtual Scholarship Audition scheme." Does anybody have any insight into this?

I seem to remember last Fall they were looking for a new Summer Intensive coordinator...seems the new hire is still learning.😅