DancingDays

Great news TMT

That's such a shame TMT - do you you qualify for funding? If not, there's still a chance that they could just offer your DD a straight place after the funding audition next Thursday? If you do qualify for funding, I would be very upset that they haven't given your DD's DVD application consideration in time for the funding final.... On the plus side, maybe fate is leading to Elmhurst...you've got finals there so fingers crossed for that for you

Best wishes for a speedy recovery for both you and your DD - I can't imagine how rough it must be but your DD sounds as though she has remarkable tenacity and such a positive mental attitude that good things must surely come her way soon

Brilliant News SbS Tell DD congratulations from us xx

That's tough tomuchtallent - I think I'd be pulling my hair out by now!! We'll keep our fingers crossed for good news on Monday It might be worth dropping them an email today? You never know, someone might be keeping an eye on incoming emails, etc? Worth a try maybe?

This might be a really dumb suggestion...but have you checked your junk folder to see if it's gone in there? With it being half term now and then funding auditions next Tuesday and Thursday, I would have expected them to have got everything out before half term? Especially when you would need to make travel arrangements from overseas? Otherwise, I think you might have to make a phone call next Monday first thing? x

Congratulations to your DD Amber21 - we've been waiting for your update :-) We'll see you there :-) x

Sorry to hear about your "no" balletmadgirl Is your DD auditioning anywhere else?

Congratulations to your DD Zenya

Congratulations Suzyzoo - to get all 4 is a huge achievement - well done to your DS Keep the faith Pas de chat - waiting lists must be there for a reason and your DD has secured a place at The Hammond with funding audition still to go xx

Congratulations Sugarplumsmum and Lifeafterballet - my DDs friend also got a yes for finals Sorry for your no, Mad House - good luck for the Central audition.

Sorry Balletmadgirl Good luck for Tring results..

The whole training issue is a minefield for me as a non-dancing Mum. My DD goes to a local RAD school that isn't a vocational school feeder and most of what I've been able to find in terms of Associate schemes and Youth Ballet Companies has been self-researched. I do believe that children who have schools / teachers with a vocational background and knowledge are advantaged to begin with and a lot of that is the luck of where you live geographically or who you know. For example, I didn't even know about JA Schemes until my daughter was 9 so already late compared to those who had been attending JA classes from the age of 8. Consequently, we auditioned for a yr 6 place but as everyone knows, unless they assess out, there aren't places available by then and DD didn't get a place. Having said that, we did find out about EYB through our local school and it was doing that in Nottingham 2 years ago that really lit the spark for my DD and prompted me to research what else was out there. And I'm glad I did....it opened up a whole range of additional ballet training opportunities which we've been able to take advantage of. DD takes syllabus class with her local school (G.5 RAD - 1.5 hrs per week), Inter Foundation Class with her local school (1.5 hrs per week), she attends Midland Theatre Ballet (1.25 hr class then 1 hr rehearsals per week), RAD Associates (1.25 hrs per month) so approx 5 hours of ballet per week. On top of that, she does tap, modern jazz, acro, MT and Festival classes (all approx 1 hour per week). She has a 1 hour private for Festival solos and recently has had a few extra private ballet classes to work on technique. Non-dancing classes include singing, drama, gymnastics and piano lessons. DD did 2 summer schools last year, a Day of Dance at Tring, a 4 day workshop with NYB and various festivals leading to All England Finals. All of this involves some form of activity every day of the week (Mum's taxi never rests) and this was all done because she has a dream to dance and be a ballerina with one of the major UK companies. I agree that only the exceptional few will manage to succeed on just an hour or two of training each week and do believe that effort results in reward (obviously given the physical constraints, musicality and artistry that must be there naturally). My DD works hard and has been rewarded with places at Tring and The Hammond. I wonder if she'd been working with a vocationally minded teacher whether she could have made RBS finals? Who knows...but as her Mum I've tried to facilitate the best opportunities for her that I can and I'd agree that we are fortunate in this country that so many schemes exist - even if it is only accessible if you're prepared to travel and can afford all the extras!! It's a scary road that we're embarking on and we're under no illusion that the hard work is just beginning and even going to a vocational school will not guarantee a company position later on...but it's a risk we're taking head-on

My DD always has a dilemma if there's no separate Lyrical section because she loves both her Modern and her Lyrical solos but in answer to your question you can definitely do Lyrical in the Modern section.

Yes, with The Hammond, we auditioned on the Monday and had the offer on the Saturday but we were checking the post anxiously from about the Wednesday They were definitely the quickest. Hope you get good news soon..

Yes Suzyszoo, everyone who gets a yes from The Hammond goes to the funding audition but Tring can give a yes with invite to funding audition or yes but not recommended for funding. Hope this helps.

When we auditioned before Christmas, the audition was Thursday 21 Nov and the acceptance letter arrived Friday 13 Dec so it was 3 weeks and 1 day. I thought you would have heard last week but perhaps they held off until after the last auditions last Thursday? It's got to be any day now I would have thought - fingers crossed for you x

I have no experience or knowledge at all here...but from an outsiders point of view being able to add the 2 S.I.'s to his CV would look great for the future - but if he forgoes them this year he might not get offered again whereas he could get those under his belt this year and Praque next year?

Wishing him a great appraisal Spax and to all the other DCs going through the same process x

The Northern Ballet workshop looks great - I'll show DD later. Thanks Janet

This has set alarms bells ringing for me...as a non-dancing Mum...I know my DD (who is 10 and does a small amount of pointe work) has never switched her shoes after each use...and I certainly don't recall ever being told about that as a practice! Should I be worried Anjuli? Her ribbons are cut slightly differing lengths so they always knot to the inside of her foot - is this wrong too? Gulp! and Help?

Give it a go Fiz - the ladies in it are lovely - and some of them have really beautiful feet!

The overridding impression that I was left with was not about what Wayne Sleep did or didn't do or say, or how the producers edited or focussed on certain elements; it was about the joy that these women clearly got just taking part, putting old demons to rest, enjoying the audition process, seeing Swan Lake (or indeed any ballet) for the first time, and the fire it relit within them.... They were suddenly experiencing the joy, anticipation and excitment (and for some of them the disappointment of not getting through) that they never thought they would ever be a part of and for that reason the programme should actually be applauded. I don't see any ridicule or maliciousness on any part (except maybe Derek Dean's dismissal of the project when Wayne Sleep was talking to him at the Albert Hall). The only thing that slightly grates is the title of the show but I'm going to really enjoy watching these ladies learn, grow and perform!

I think I must have a great GP - she prepared my DD's letter of physical fitness for dance training and didn't charge anything. We went in for a appointment one day and picked up the letter 2 days later. No hassle, no fuss, lots of good wishes and no cost

So sorry PdC - hope your DD isn't too upset x