Dancedreamer

15 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

A yes for my DD, who is 9 and just scrapes the minimum age requirement of turning 10 in time for the summer intensive.  Amazed he got it, genuinely didn't expect it.  Well done to every applicant regardless of outcome. 

 

we could only pick one of the weeks and even then he would have turned 10 on the 1st and the course starts on the 2nd . Massive well done for your son

Is it rare these days for a flat no? seems most are waiting list replies?

waiting list for my DS 😏 I take them as a no basically lol but I guess better than a straight no

my DS will be going into year 6 we have put 2 centres down as live between the two, just praying for some spaces. 

Ha ha I could have written the original post! I am so glad i am not the only one who is experiencing temporary insanity email checking syndrome, I am waiting on Summer Intensive results and whilst I have no hope in DS getting a place, I just would like to know either way, the next thing will be CBA Tring results, and then eventually RBS JA results, this is the first year we have started this journey, so we have no expectations as such for him just yet, he is a late starter but capable and lots of potential so just hope the schools think so too. Good luck to everyone especially those waiting for vocational results, thats really nerve wracking!!

Think ours got viewed for a couple of minutes the say after submission but think it was maybe to check they could if they see it correctly I'm not sure I'm going to check again 

7 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

With some London RBS JA's now running on a Sunday rather than a Saturday, and the return to studios after Easter for both associate schemes, I think there might be some students who have currently managed to do JA's and Tring remotely, but will be forced to choose between the two for the remainder of the year.  I might very well be wrong, but the move out of lockdown and the gradual easing of social distancing might mean a slightly bigger intake this summer term.  Who knows

 

i like your optimism!😁

39 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

The first class back after Easter is Sunday 25th April.  So maybe those accepted start then?  I was always a touch cynical about video auditions etc, but I think its safe to say the Tring CBA boys tutor (if he's involved in the selection) has an incredibly fine eye for precision via zoom.  I'm sure they will see what they need to see via video for potential.  Good luck!  I do hate these long waits.  I was never blessed with the virtue of patience.

yes, I think there was a mention for the start in Summer term so that makes sense. I haven't been blessed with that virtue either! ha ha 

1 hour ago, BalletBoysDad said:

So out of interest, are Tring CBA making their decision purely from the video applications? And do you know when you might expect to receive a result? 

yes, I think so, well I have not heard otherwise. I just saw on the email I got sent that people will know for the 15th April. 

3 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

That's the sad by product of lockdown, as he was making friends quite easily in this group.  With a 15/20 min break in the studio class, they managed to develop friendships.  Then we went onto zoom, which makes it harder for the children to 'mix'. I like the fact that there is a broad spread of ages at CBA, so all the boys are at different levels and stages in their personal development.  Removes all that competitive vibe, which is quite refreshing.  Gives the younger boys something to aim for rather than compete against.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have actually found the boys he has met through dance are really lovely and supportive to each other it is quite refreshing to see so fingers crossed we can see some more, it is going to be the longest wait ever!

so in theory it should be any time from now an email should arrive.?

9 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

  

 

Our journey to Tring CBA is 2 hours each direction, but being fortnightly it doesn't feel like a chore.  Definitely worth it though.  Lovely tutor, lovely studios.  From what I've seen on zoom, the class is very calm and focused, and there's no sense of competitiveness amongst the boys.  Its very much about self-improvement.  Its also not a carbon-copy of some of the others, very much its own programme.  My son enjoys it which is the main thing.

That Sounds amazing and just the right atmosphere, where they can develop themselves without the focus on competition all the time. I am hoping my son does get on to a programme to make more dance friends especially other boys!

3 hours ago, BalletBoysDad said:

You’re right, it’s all very varied. Some kids take graded exams, and some (like my DS) don’t do them at all. 
 

My son stopped doing RAD graded classes when we left London. He’s been dancing 3 years, pretty much a year of that on zoom. At RAD in Battersea, they wait until the entire class is ready to do grade I, so that took over a year. Then he started grade 2 and lockdown happened, and they didn’t continue it online. Then we relocated and the local graded classes clashed with his associate programmes and weekly classes and I thought it would be overkill.
 

Our local classes do do grades, and submit children as and when ready, rather than waiting for a while group to be ready. So you can meet a 9 year old who is anywhere from grade 1 to 4. 
 

My understanding of what I’ve seen on zoom is that RBS, Tring CBA and Elmhurst YD are all focused on doing core things extremely well. Mastering the basics so to say. I don’t see them doing long character dances etc. I see those feature in local classes, but that all came to a stop when we went onto zoom. 
 

So apologies for my long waffle, but I think it’s fair to say grades can be a mixed bag, and it’s probably not part of their consideration as some don’t do them at all. Class content might average/hover around RAD grade 3, but at this stage they’ll only be looking for aptitude and potential. They’ll probably be looking for good bodily proportions, potential for flexibility, basic musicality and good natural turnout.
 

Not a waffle at all, extremely helpful post thank you!

My DS has just gone into grade 4 but I don't think grades are the be all and end all to be honest and thats why he also does non syllabus so he can focus on the important stuff. he hasn't danced long but has good turnout and good flexibility and musicality so he has a chance otherwise I would not have considered this route, also his teachers suggested we should audition for associate programmes so giving it a go with a realistic view of no guarantees. 

We do not have the option of Elmhurst and simply too far for us being South of the country, but I like what I can see , I just hope they like what they see! ha

43 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

That’s the same age as my son, who will turn 10 in July. When he auditioned (in person), I’m led to believe it was all age-appropriate content. He doesn’t give much away.
 

Will they make a decision purely off the video?
 

My gut feeling is that there will be more places available this time round as (hopefully) social distancing comes to a gradual end and they can accommodate more children in the studios. 

 

Tring CBA is a lovely programme and the tutor is exceptionally kind and motivating. From a boys perspective I think it’s as good as RBS JA’s and Elmhurst YD’s. Good luck to your son, no one has anything to lose in applying! 

Oh thats cool! my son only started ballet in May last year he has only had about 8 actual studio lessons! but he is capable. What grade is your son if you dont mind me asking, just trying to get an idea of levels but im thinking it might be quite varied

so if they are just carrying places from last year or Spring etc is there any point in applying as with those being awarded places from other things, international students and if places are carried over surely there will be no spaces left?

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49 minutes ago, BalletBoysDad said:

The boys group is rather small, and I think social distancing kept it small last September term too when learning started live in the studio before going back into zoom. A couple of the boys might very well start Y7 vocational school too, so that might open up a couple more places. May I ask what age your DS is? The younger boys are all is a mixed group from ages 8-14 though not sure if that might change.

 

Hi BalletBoysDad,

My son is currently 9 turns 10 in late summer . We will keep our fingers crossed. 

Who will be scanning their emails over the next couple of weeks?. lol . I am at least 99.9% sure it will be a no for us but just want the email to confirm to wonder about the next audition etc. 

we submitted DS yesterday , good luck everyone. we are completely new to all this so do not hold much hope. for any auditions this year, but giving it a go. 

Has anyone else submitted theirs?

I wonder how they find the time to process them all as they have finals to sort , summer intensive places then JA places crazy how they overlap them all

Hi everyone,

Completely new to the world of dance and auditioning etc we have put in our application today, we don't expect much as DS has only had a few studio lessons and all the rest on zoom. There is going to be a long wait so going to try and not think about it - easier said than done.