KeenButClueless

Does anyone have any insights as to whether the SA course is valuable training? DD has been offered a place, but is at vocational school where she can already do weekend classes. I’m trying to weigh up pros and cons of having her head into London every Sunday during GCSE years, the time, the cost, etc.

How long are the classes? 
Thanks

On 08/03/2023 at 09:57, CrazyDanceMum said:

We have 11:15 drop off time too. I'm pleased it's not an early start  My DD has applied for a year 9 place so I'm guessing there will be multiple time slots throughout the day for different age groups maybe? I've read on their website that most the funding goes to year 7 intake. Does anyone know or have any experience of funding being offered to other year groups?

Tring give MDS to who they think deserves it most, regardless of year group. It changes every year.

A slightly late response, but I would also strongly recommend Nicola Tarry if you can get to her. She is simply phenomenal. Oliver and Steffi were amazing at the summer intensive too. My daughter is at vocational school and trained with Nicola beforehand and still goes to her intensives whenever she can.

On 08/08/2022 at 07:54, Lilidance said:

My DD wasn’t accepted this year but wants to try again next year how much finally did it cost you for the week ?

This year it was £36 to apply then £845 for the week, which turned out to be Sunday afternoon to Friday lunchtime, but with parent arrival early in the morning. Some people therefore also have to factor in a night at a London hotel to be there on time. 
Arrival and departure days/times are not shared until after you pay.

13 minutes ago, NYC said:

I have no prior year of comparison but I wouldn't be surprised if it was so they could clean the rooms before Sunday and have time between residents due to lingering Covid precautions. I was just thrilled they didn't bring in some last minute mask mandate. I did think the instruction quality was very good, even if a short period. 

Maybe - but they would have had to clean thoroughly last year too.
The information, when it comes, is always very clear, but I think actual course start and end dates/times should be shared earlier so you know what you’re paying for.

Is anyone else a bit disappointed with the course length this year? They had a whole extra day last year for the same price - and we weren’t given the pick up date until after full payment was made. I’m feeling a little robbed for 4.5 days of training to be honest.

5 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

Eeeek! A yes for week 4! My kitchen photos aren't too bad obviously 🤣

My daughter got week 4 too and took her own photos on her phone with the timer! 😂

Congratulations! My daughter got in last year from the wait list and loved it.

If she’s serious, absolutely look at Nicola Tarry Classical Ballet (previously known Nicola Moriarty or Woodside). 
She is a phenomenal teacher - she is extremely passionate yet still makes it fun. 
They haven’t competed much in the past but seem to be attending more festivals and doing very well.

I think start dates depend on the year group, but I would just email the school to ask if you’re still unsure, they’re very responsive. 

Nicola Tarry (Nicola Tarry Classical Ballet on Facebook and Instagram) is doing a summer intensive in mid/late August and she’s absolutely incredible.

Based near Sevenoaks, choose from either 3 or 6 days.

My daughter trained with Nic before starting at vocational school and goes back to Nic for intensives. 

On 04/05/2021 at 21:22, BalletMomUS said:

My daughter (14 yrs) will be attending the last week this summer at WL. We're hoping no quarantine this time around. She attended the spring intensive as well and LOVED it. Anyone else have a dancer there for the last week (I believe 16-20 August)?

My daughter is there that week too. She’s 12. 

Hi @Beadancer,

I know that at least two girls were offered places from the MDS waiting list last year.

Good luck!

Edit: I should have said that was for year 7 entry specifically.

On 17/02/2021 at 17:40, Daintydancer said:

Does anyone know the dress code for Tring auditions? Is it leather or canvas shoes? Belt? Colours? 😬

It definitely doesn't matter. I'd keep it plain and simple though. Belts are not necessary and whatever shoes your DD usually dances in. And remember, socks not tights! Good luck!

On 16/02/2021 at 12:32, Whiteduvet said:

Are there any current Tring ballet parents who’d be willing to answer a question for me over PM? Thanks. 

If you still need help, I would be happy to try to answer your question.

Hi, all places in the first round of offers at Tring are day places, as far as I know. If your DD secures a funded place, then a boarding place will also be awarded - the MDS students automatically get boarding places.

My DD is in year 7 with an MDS, and her initial offer after the first audition was a day place with the funding audition. Following the funding audition she was awarded the funding and the boarding place together. All MDS students currently in year 7/first form are boarders.

I know of several girls attending the year 8 funding audition. If it helps, there do seem to be more places in each year as you progress up the school. There are only 8 dancers in first form this year, but about 13 in second form.

Good luck at the MDS auditions.

Last year they held auditions in January and February/March. I think the last first rounds were only a week or two before the funding audition. 
We heard back quickly from our audition though, we didn’t have to wait until they’d completed all the first rounds.

1 hour ago, Number11 said:

I think year 10 is referred to as fourth form dance middle school? So if that’s right hopefully got the date right? 🤣

Yes, year 10 is known as fourth form at Tring. Year 7 is first form and so on. 
Good luck with your application, it’s a wonderful place.

The schools are definitely looking for different things. My dd auditioned last year for year 7. She was rejected by Elmhurst after the first audition, got to finals for White Lodge, and was awarded an MDS at Tring which was by far her favourite school (and mine).

I think she got the Elmhurst rejection first and was convinced the other schools would reject her too, so no matter what one school says, don’t be disheartened: one school’s treasure and all that.

Thank you Tulip, my dd starts at Tring in a few weeks and the nerves are starting to kick in (for me - she’s totally fine!) 😬

This is very exciting! A wonderful group of teachers (and humans!) who have been so incredibly inspiring and nurturing towards my dd. This is going to be an amazing summer intensive! 

Thanks all - and fingers crossed for you all too, I hope you get positive news soon. It’s a real rollercoaster this school audition thing, I didn’t expect it to be quite so emotional! xx

Tring have already moved to the waiting list - my DD got an MDS offer from the waiting list today, year 7. Super excited (and a bit terrified!) 

13 hours ago, Dance.Mum said:

Did anyone pick-up on when we will get results?

The original letter says 7-10 days after the audition.

22 hours ago, Flower said:

PLEASE PLEASE could someone attending the year 7 girls funding audition next Tuesday message me the itinerary for the morning?  I have called the school and left a message and emailed but had no reply and I feel a bit daft calling or writing again. Please it’s for next Tuesday yr 7 girls. I have booked the hotel but I don’t know what time I have to have her there or if she needs to take anything. 
Thanks x

 Hi Flower, my daughter is in the year 7 girls funding audition so I hope this helps.

They need to arrive at 8:45 am on Tuesday. There will be a 90 minute ballet class and they must arrive ready for class. They may also need to attend a 15 minute physio appointment - organised alphabetically and departure times will be set accordingly (so I assume if you're early in the alphabet you pick her up earlier than if your name starts with z!) 

That's virtually all the letter says - results will be 7-10 days after the audition.

Good luck!