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DancingDays

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Posts posted by DancingDays

  1. Hi, I fully agree with the reason for locking the thread and have always appreciated the input of the moderators which I made no comment on or criticism of. However, by reopening this thread not once as Anna C suggests above, but three times, 5th June, 8th June and again yesterday, it just keeps bringing that same "locked" thread back to the top of the feed.

    A new thread for the useful information concerning the EU vote (which each unlocking post has been in reference to) would, in my opinion, be preferable.

    In Alison's own words "I'm cheating and reopening this thread" implies that it's not usual to do it.

    This is my feedback which I think is fair. At no time did I question the content, the reason or anything else and I am surprised that you have brought so much more into it.

    • Like 1
  2. It was great Janet!  I've just posted a little update on the other thread!  For anyone considering trying out for LCB next year I'd say go for it.  It's a huge commitment - giving up your Sundays for 4 months but the end result and performance week is such an great experience for the dancers that it makes it all worthwhile!   

    • Like 4
  3. Our DD loved being part of the cast this year - her first time with LCB.  I spent a wonderful week chaperoning and working the quick change area side of stage and can honestly say that the children were such a happy company - generous to each other, polite and all with a clear love of dance and performing.  The LCB team are so nurturing of the children and that shows in the end result - a brand new ballet that was gentle, moving at times, funny at times and danced with technical assurance by the talented cast.  I agree that Lily O'Regan made a wonderful Dearest - she is a beautiful dancer and Luke coped with his lead role marvellously!

     

    The choreography by Jenna Lee was so well tuned to the dancers it showed just how talented she is too!  Not forgetting the original score of Richard Norriss which was beautiful.

    Bravo to all involved - I was only disappointed that I could only watch one show as I was backstage for the rest of the time! 

    • Like 3
  4. My Ds has been offered a 6th form place at Elmhurst ! We are overwhelmed ! It was his 4th attempt. Determination paid off ! Good luck to all waiting for results and don't give up. Dreams do come true

     

    Huge congratulations to you and your DS!  Great news x

    • Like 1
  5. What a lot of posts to catch up on tonight....

     

    Huge congratulations discomonkfish

    Huge commiserations to you all: jennyboydance, dancefanatic, Ballet4Boyz, balletnat1, TBG and Dancing Shoes.  

    Good luck for reserve list movement: Balletmum20, Hollyhouse9 and Twoballerinas and finally congratulations on the MA place Hollyhouse9!

     

    Well done to all your DC's on making finals - it is an achievement in itself as the talent is clearly there. xx

    • Like 8
  6. Hi Lisa

    I grew up in Salisbury and would recommend you stay there anyway - as there is also "Old Sarum" which is great to visit as well plus the Cathedral with it's lovely close and walks along the River Avon - there is quite a lot to do in and around the city.

     

    The city itself is small enough to wander around as well - and there used to be a lovely tea shop "The Cross Keys Restaurant" that served great cream teas in the afternoon and a full silver-service menu in the evening - I know because I worked there as a teenager and the American tips were amazing! ;) 

    Can't really vouch for the quality of the hotels now - but the Rose & Crown in Harnham is right on the river and only a 15 min walk from the Cathedral - I had my wedding reception there some 21 years ago now (scary!).  I still go and visit friends from time to time and I always love going back - it still feels like home even though it hasn't been for over 20 years.

     

    • Like 2
  7. Hi everyone, I administer the Leather Working Group (www.leatherworkinggroup.com), an environmental stewardship group with members from a vast number of well known brands around the world.  I can confirm that leather is a bi-product of the food industry and you can't call fake leather, leather - so if it's called a leather ballet shoe then it is made of leather. :)  

    • Like 1
  8. Good luck for the other auditions Ballet4Boyz!  Tell your son to keep the faith and fingers crossed gets a place!

     

    And to everyone else hoping for a place this year...it is tough, but to get any finals is proof of your DCs' talent and ability and that's to be celebrated whatever the outcome!  Best of luck to you all xx

    • Like 3
  9. Well forget about a future Darcy then, how can someone be offered a place, and then not make the funding final? That's the bit that baffles me, I apologise if I am missing something.

    There are only so many funded places in some schools - in Tring's case this year, that appears to be 6.  But just their year 7 intake is much higher than this (without even considering adding older year group children to the mix), so, there are a number of first audition outcomes:  1)  a sorry no place, 2) a place but no funding audition, 3) a place and an invite to funding.  All the children who are invited to funding are talented enough to be awarded funding if there were enough awards, but there are only so many MDS places on offer.  

     

    In Tring's situation, the school couldn't operate on only 6 child intake so they have to have paying children to make the school viable.  I know that the Director of Dance would take all of the funding recall children if (a) the school had the government funded places for all and ( B) if the school had beds for them all.....but alas, they don't....

     

    I also know that numbers vary from year to year and isn't as prescriptive....if they spot a talented child and they can accommodate them, they will.  The dorms will sometimes have mixed year groups at Tring when necessary to accommodate the fluctuating numbers (i.e 1st and 2nd form, or 2nd and 3rd form).

     

    There are also those fortunate families who don't require funding, either because of high family income or because they are not eligible under UK residency rules, etc.

    • Like 2
  10. We were able to be assessed under the CYA (Current Year Assessment) for this financial year.  They base your fees on what your earnings are expected to be in the current year - for me that was this 2015/16 year.  At the end of the financial year, you then provide your P60s and may have to pay a little more as a lump sum if you earned more in the end than you thought you would.  I know I'll be paying more than we were assessed on because my situation changed at the end of last year for the better again, so I'm waiting for my P60 before letting the school know to adjust my contribution (am keeping money aside as I know it will happen).  Then next year we'll be assessed as normal on our actual 15/16 for the year 16/17.

    You need to let the school know that you would like to be assessed on a CYA because you know your salary will be less next year if that's the way you want to go...

     

    Hope this helps.

    • Like 1
  11. Thanks for this great insight dancingdays!

    What about how many JAs get called to finals from first round

     

    Hi - I guess a lot depends on how many JAs apply each year.....I don't think the ratio of recalls to places offered is too great though as I don't think they like to let the young dancers down....so majority will get through (about 30) and I would guess that only about 40 to 50 tops will be recalled.  I don't have exact percentages though.... x

     

    It's a lovely thing to be a part of and it's extremely well organised.  Good luck at casting!

  12. Hi - thought I would offer a little info on the NYB auditions.  

     

    My  DD has done NYB for the last 2 years - first time as a JA when she danced the JA ballet plus a main cast role.  Last year she was Main Cast with 2 roles.

     

    For the JA final audition the children will take an initial ballet class again and then they'll go back into the warm up room.  They'll be called back in different smaller groupings which is when the panel will be looking at dancers who work well together, similar heights, styles, etc.They'll be taught little set pieces to see whether they suit certain roles.

    You might find some dancers get called back more than others and that's just because the panel will be trying out different combinations, etc. 

     

    The main cast final audition has 3 recall classes first (your letter will tell you which class you are recalled for), grouped throughout the morning, before all the dancers come together and get looked at and grouped by the choreographers.  Some dancers are allowed to leave early but you have to allow till 5.00 pm.

     

    We just got our recall letter again today and DD is really excited - she loves the whole experience!



     

    • Like 4
  13. Does anyone know if we have to wait for all the prelim audition days to finish before hearing results, or if we find out sooner, as in an audition dayat a time?

     

    No, you don't have to wait until all auditions are over...Iast year I think we auditioned on the Sunday and got letters the following Friday ish...

    • Like 1
  14. Wow a very unexpected yes for my dd from the Hammond today!! Sorry to hear your bad news mom2dancingkenz, I hope your dd doesn't let it put her off her game and I wish her all the luck in the world for her next audition

     

    Congratulations Lema! Good luck for funding.

     

    I'm quite shocked to see that I have to pay a registration fee before being given the details of the MDS audition, £155 is a lot of money to pay out considering she could still end up with a no??

     

    2 years ago it was only £60 but we felt it was worth it then to ensure that DD had a place regardless of outcomes of the other auditions which were still to take place (big difference in 2 years up to £155).  However, the Tring registration fee of £2,250 was a much bigger debate !!!  Good luck x

    • Like 1
  15. I am really pleased to say that my dd after 2 years of having no from auditions, she has finally got a yes from the Hammond.  We have just got to hope that we can get funding

     

    This is brilliant news straceydor!  Our DD's auditioned together at The Hammond 2 years ago and I'm so pleased for you!  Good luck for funding - I'll keep my fingers crossed!! xxx

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