Isabella

Thanks everyone x

Does anybody know if films need to be of the whole thing or just the exercises. Do they want to see the children listening? I assume from previous posts they just skip to the bits they want to see anyway. 

Where is everybody up to in the process? I’m at the stage of do we do it? 🤣

54 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

Do let us know how she gets on, wishing lots of luck! 

 

Going back to the topic of JAs, we applied to some USA programmes last year (after a SWL place for JAs that never materialised) purely because I wanted to remind my son that there's an entire planet/dance world out there, and not to get hung up purely on a handful of schools in the UK that he may or may not get into now or in the future.  

Can I ask where? 

19 minutes ago, Ballet Dreams said:

Please don’t ever be put off by any no’s to JAs, my DD had two no’s in year 4 and 5 and SWL for year 6.  Luckily she managed to get a place at Elmhurst young Dancers this year for year 6 instead and the difference it has made is phenomenal.  She never let the no’s affect her passion for ballet and her aspirations and dreams to try for finals this year.  I think the no’s from RBS have made her a much better dancer and this week she has received invitations to both White Lodge and Elmhurst Finals.  

Wow...inspirational. Big well done to your daughter. As a parent I need to hear this more than my child! For me it is the financial implication too. I just don’t have the money to keep trying at things where the likelihood is it will be a ‘no’. 

11 minutes ago, Pups_mum said:

You may find it less traumatic this year Isabella, as you will have more idea what it's all about. JAs is often the first "no" that many dancing children receive and it's tough for both them and their parents. For many of us it is our first contact with the wider ballet world outside of our local schools and it can come as a bit of a shock to realise quite how many talented children there are out there and how tiny the odds of "success" are.

 

Remember that the majority of auditionees will be amongst the most able pupils in their local school and are probably already used to getting high marks in exams, winning local competitions etc. They are all good dancers - but only around 10% will be chosen. But despite knowing the figures intellectually, I think it still hits us emotionally when the "no" letter arrives. That feeling never completely goes away, but the first time is definitely worst. Most people's ballet journeys are a mix of yesses and nos, ups and downs, and as someone said earlier it's the same in many other activities. Some things are a bit easier to understand though as there are seemingly more objective measures  - ballet can feel frustratingly opaque at times.

 

I think it's important to be realistic and to remember that there's more to ballet than the RBS. I think we all tend to see RBS JAs as the "best" scheme for which they will select the most talented dancers so it feels like a slap in the face if your child isn't "good enough". But that's not really what it's about. Obviously the children they pick do have a lot of potential but they are looking for those who they think are most suited to their very specific way of doing things. Plenty of children don't have that, but do have something else, and would thrive elsewhere. I would always agree that getting into JAs is a "good sign" with regards to potential but not getting in isn't necessarily a "bad sign" if that makes sense? And ultimately what *really* matters is that a child is dancing because they love it and us enjoying the journey. If your DD enjoys the audition as an experience in it's own right, regardless of the result then that's a win. Good luck with whatever path you/she decide to follow.

Wow another spot on post in such a supportive group. To give context, we went into it last year knowing it was a long shot but as you suggested she had potential and if I’m being totally honest I’ve felt more upset about it than my resilient daughter! She already has a place at another ballet school and loves it. But I just feel paying a hefty audition fee again for a few spaces when there are SWLs who are already deemed better is a bit of a waste of time. Then, on the other hand it’s the what ifs that are left behind. 

1 minute ago, Balletbuds80 said:

Hi. I completely get where you are coming from following last year. I really hoped it would be an in class audition this year but I guess that’s out of their hands as is the number of places available.  We didn’t get a flat no (I am not sure if there were emails as a flat no). But they said that my DD worked well in the class and would be interested in seeing her again this year after another year with her teacher (it’s only been 6 months). However, we didn’t even get SWL so I am concerned that the places which are available, are going yo be earmarked for those on the JEP?

We are in exactly the same position. My DD also got that response. I’m not sure whether they put that to all. 

1 hour ago, BalletBoysDad said:

Your post really resonated with me and I mulled over a million possible meaningful replies, and I couldn’t arrive at any. But I think you hit the nail on the head with feeling beaten by the system. And I’m quite sure many parents feel like that about many different activities, subjects and sports etc.
 

There’s no denying that each centre has a certain annual capacity, and social distancing restrictions unique to each of those centres mean that even when they are open, class sizes are vastly restricted, making it a much harder ‘system’ to get into. Although Birmingham is technically the 2nd largest centre, their Y5 intake was incredibly small. I don’t know what Y4 and Y6 was like. But even still, those Y4 and Y5 classes are now fortnightly rather than weekly, and half their usual running time. Only Y6 classes run weekly. So the children who are ‘in’ are still experiencing less of the programme than their past or potentially future peers. 
 

I think I’ve personally arrived at thinking the most important thing any young dancer can have right now is a tutor who champions them, inspires them and drives them on. And that most likely might be someone closer to home than someone who teaches on one of the ‘big name’ associate programmes. As lovely as some of these programmes are, and of course the quality of teaching is very high, there are also plenty of wonderful teachers who can teach the same or similar in a much more personal way. 
 

I’ve also arrived at thinking being taught and being mentored and inspired are two different things, and it’s mentorship and inspiration that will help children reclaim all this lost opportunity.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. I think you’re absolutely right and it’s given me some food for thought. Thanks again.

2 hours ago, Balletbuds80 said:

Where is everyone auditioning for this year? We are Leeds Year 5. My DD auditioned last year but was I successful so thought we’d try again. 
 

Did any of your DC’s take the Online Insight class today? And how did you find it?
Ours is Thursday. 

I’m struggling with this at the moment. My DD did the insight day today and she loved it. It was fantastic and matched a lot of what they were looking for in the videos last year but with a different context e.g. improv. However we feel scarred from last year. We went for another associate centre to the one we’re thinking about this year and we found out after the audition that many many children were going for 5 places! We’re looking at different centre this year as we’ve moved but I feel beaten by the system. 

On 11/02/2021 at 09:23, WrapsnBows said:

Can I ask for some feedback on stagebox as my son recently did some of the lock down workshops and got an ‘one to watch’ email with a free audition and then I saw loads more post on insta about the same emails!!   I’ve know children who attend but not directly. 
what’s the difference between the weekly and holiday schemes etc etc as we could not attend the weekly ones and how is it working over zoom etc as we’ve are in some good associates schemes and then some others havnt been as good over zoom 

 any feedback be most welcome 

 Were there a lot given out? One to watch? I couldn’t see many on Instagram but I’m not great at using it. I did email. They were quick to reply but still no word on their decision. I just don’t understand why a yes takes a day to email and a no takes two weeks? Is anyone else waiting or have experience? 

Did you use the contact address? 

This is what I’m thinking. We haven’t heard at all so must be a no. I don’t want to look impatient for my no bu emailing though 

I’m just not sure whether you gain feedback or how quickly they let you know. My friend in London received a yes within 24 hours, my other friend waited 10 days for a no and we’re still waiting. 

Hi has anyone done a stagebox audition? 

Oh dear, so she might have missed the boat. Thank

you for the information x

The other day my daughter asked how you get to dance in The Nutcracker and my answer at the time was ‘hard work’ but actually how do you get to be part of it? Do you need to be spotted? Are you called to audition? She auditioned this year for RBS but didn’t get in so is that door shut already? 

I would love to know how many places were available. 

10 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

I didn’t fully watch the videos. My partner did the filming. If part 1 was all about the body/flexibility, and part 3 presumably musicality because of the improv, what did part 2 demonstrate in particular? 

I think it was technique and basic positions. 

2 minutes ago, Candycakes82 said:

Number 2 for us! 

2 for us as well. I thought that was really strange. 

Out of interest, which video did they watch the least for everyone? 

2 hours ago, The red shoes said:

Have you had any views yet? 

Yes, viewed but can’t make out analysis. All videos viewed once 

They said they have our videos. So, they’ve just not finished the process. 

No, nothing at all. 

They need to start looking at Year 4s first in Birmingham group. 

1 minute ago, Spamcat said:

I have just realised that us group 4s are officially the craziest, we are doing far more analysing than any of the previous groups! 😂😂😂🙈

Because we’ve had to wait the longest 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣