Ballet Dreams

46 minutes ago, LinMM said:

Sorry to keep harping on about this just trying to understand the procedures properly …but..if somebody was awarded an MDS and they didn’t need it at all ( I know this would be rare) would that unused MDS be then awarded to another student? 

Yes the award would be given to someone else who has indicated that they require a MDS.  Each school will have a set amount of MDS places they can hand out, unlike the DaDa there is no pot of money you either have an MDS place funding or not.  These places are given out on talent and not financial need, so if a family's income was £120k a year and they were offered a MDS place  they would just get less support from government than a person who was offered a MDS place and their family income was £30K.  I think last year the cut off was £150k for MDS funding but don't quote me on that.

Definitely get your child their own bank card if they don’t already have one, it makes it so much easier to transfer money quickly if you need to, ie if they need money on trips out service stations etc.  Or if they run out of something they need. 

11 hours ago, MissEmily said:

Hello everyone!

 

I know this is a massive long-shot, but is there anyone attending the Junior week of Sander Blommaert’s Summer School who might be able to host a 12 year-old (Year 7)? 

I’d love for my pupil to be able to do this Summer School as I know that the quality of teaching will be excellent and that lots of individual corrections will be given, but it’s tricky as it’s non-residential and of course, she’s far too young to stay up in London and commute alone.

 

Alternatively, does anyone know of other ballet Summer Schools where the class sizes aren’t enormous, where the teaching is excellent and where there is plenty of dancing each day?

 

She will apply for RBS but is obviously unlikely to be offered a place. She has been put on the Waiting List the last two years.

 

Moorland was excellent but it’s just so far away for us!

 

She will probably do Elmhurst’s as she is a full-time student there, but I would like her to experience something else too.

 

Off piste suggestions particularly welcome!

 

Thank you!

 

My DD is at Elmhurst in year 8, she went to Malvern last year and absolutely loved it.  

Ballet Boost usually do an audition prep day in October half term as well in London. 

sorry just realised this will be to big 

Sarah is amazing she really helped my daughter prepare for her vocational school auditions, she also gave her lots of confidence and self belief.  I would totally recommend Sarah she’s a fantastic teacher and my daughter improved so much by attending her lessons.  Like Raquelle said I wish we lived closer too. 

3 minutes ago, Balletbuds80 said:

A great outlook. Do you know if academics are taken into consideration when places are allocated? My DD is not below expectations on anything but wondered if this information is a requirement to the application process at any schools (in your experience). 

They ask for information from your current school and I think there are academic tests but nothing is based off of these, places are offered on a child’s ability in ballet.  I would 100% agree about the quality of teaching at private schools and low class numbers.  Also as said previously there are more places available in year 7 and it’s definitely harder to get a place the further up the school you go. 

I had know idea what the vocational school pathway would be like, and I didn’t think a year on my daughter would be at the school of her dreams. She wasn’t a JA so I didn’t think she stood a chance,  but she got to finals at the two schools she applied for Whitelodge and Elmhurst.  We were just happy with that, it’s achievement in itself. We had the best time going on road trips and staying in hotels together.    I just went with her decisions she wanted to try and I was going to support her 100%.  Vocational school isn’t for everyone some get homesick but there are so many benefits my DD has made the most amazing friends, has the best teachers and has improved so much she’s so happy and I am so glad I went with her choices and decisions.  Good luck with what ever you and your DD decide.

On 11/05/2022 at 21:19, Balletbuds80 said:

Hi. Just wondered if anyone has booked or is booking for week 1 for Malvern Ballet Seminars?
It will be my DD’s first residential and she is going not knowing anyone which apparently she is totally fine with. Me not so much.

Any tips on what to take for a residential would be greatly received too. 

My DD is going to week one she’s 12 she doesn’t know anyone either who’s definitely going, feel free to pm me.  This is my DD first intensive too but shes a full time vocational year 7 student so is use to being away from home. 

4 minutes ago, sunrise81 said:

As in going to Elmhurst and attending MAs? If so, no it isn't allowed.....or when one parent asked at our open day they were told no. 

We were told it was no last year too x

17 minutes ago, Astrid said:

Does anyone have any experience of the reserve list moving at Elmhurst? Or how big it is? DD on it for year 7…thank you xx

There was lots of movement on the reserve list last year.  Good luck 🤞 

1 hour ago, Dancermom said:

It was a yes for my DD 😊 xx 

That’s fantastic news the current year 7 children are so lovely I am sure your DD will fit straight in.  

Congratulations to those with a yes for Elmhurst, it is a fabulous place we are really pleased.  My DD is in year 7 too please feel free to message me with any questions as well x

1 minute ago, SJBallet said:

Congratulations to everyone with good news. 
 

And hugs to anyone who hasn’t received the news they wanted, we’ve been there and it certainly stings for a little while. 
 

We have finished off the audition process (with the exception of  waiting for RBS Mids results) on a high with a Yes from Hammond 😁. 

Congratulations what fab news I bet your DD is so pleased 😃 

34 minutes ago, Ballet Dreams said:

Last year they were the Monday after graduate auditions so possibly next Monday.  

Sorry I mean upper school

17 minutes ago, Dancermom said:

I was hoping for this week but it may be a bit longer then! 😬 x 

Lower school auditions were 16-18th last year and  we had our  results on 29th.  

30 minutes ago, Dancermom said:

They said 10 days at the audition but I was expecting the results this week. Do they always wait until after the graduate auditions? X

They said 10 days to us last year too, it was 10 working days I think.  I think they do usually wait for upper school auditions as they are the following week.  Only guessing but maybe because they need to know how beds they could possibly need in total ? Who knows, I am totally guessing here just gave my opinion based on our results last year x

6 minutes ago, Dancedreamer said:

Any guesses when Elmhurst results will be? 

Last year they were the Monday after graduate auditions so possibly next Monday.  

1 hour ago, Dancermom said:

Elmhurst results will be next! X

Good luck for your DD results, my DD is in year 7 they are a lovely bunch of children x

16 minutes ago, Julsgalaxy said:

Woweeeee…. I can’t quite believe it but DS has got a yes for WL for yr7😃 I’m in shock I think and he’s overjoyed 😃

I hope there’s more good news for you all today xx 

Congratulations 🎉 

5 minutes ago, Ottobotto said:

A yes to final auditions at Elmhurst 🙂

Congratulations 🎉 it’s such a lovely place x

41 minutes ago, Ottobotto said:

It was a no from RBS for us! Hoping some people had good news 🙂

Sorry to hear this,  my DD was so upset last year when she had a no. In my opinion everything happens for a reason an maybe your DS will be happier somewhere else.  I hope your DS Elmhurst audition went well today. My DD is so happy there. 

3 hours ago, Dancermom said:

Oh no! 🤦‍♀️
Elmhurst finals are next Wednesday so they may have their results out first then x 

Elmhurst didn’t announce results until after the upper school auditions last year.  

3 hours ago, Julsgalaxy said:

Another 2 weeks sounds like torture (at least they said)🙈

We can’t go to the Tring MDS final tomorrow as we all have covid which is so disappointing as tomorrow is the only day they are doing it they had said after letting them know.

 

Also, what are you all doing about your “regular” secondary schools allocation….I have yet to fill out all the forms to accept DS place at our local school thinking we might know one way or another any day now results wise but as it’s going to take longer, are you all accepting their regular school place now? 

I would just accept your secondary school place last year I waited until the last minute to hand my DD local place back in late June.   Our local school was oversubscribed so we wanted to make  sure we were 100% sure, plus last year the parents and children didn’t have tours of the vocational schools.  It was hard to make a definite decision without actually looking around and getting a feel for the school. 

We didn’t apply for RBS SI this year, but have had so many good comments about Malvern that we are waiting to apply for their summer intensive.  

1 minute ago, NYC said:

Yes, same here. It reads like you're accepting a place...but you're not. I saw this topic on last year's forum and apparently it's normal and causes confusion every year. What I don't know if what chance anyone has of getting off waitlists for summer. 

I know someone who got a place last year for the summer intensive off of the wait list. So it is possible.