DanceMamma

6 minutes ago, Laceyj said:

My daughter really enjoyed today’s audition 😀

Which group was she in? My daughter was in the 8.45 11-12 year old group. There were quite a few lining up. 

10 minutes ago, tutugirl said:

Did everyone enjoy the audition today?

She loved it. 

7 minutes ago, sunrise81 said:

My DD did yr 6 on the CAT before going to Elmhurst. If she does get a place, just be aware of the amount of time spent in Leeds, and that she may need to drop the other associates classes. They do expect the CAT lessons to be more important as it is vocational training. 2 nights a week and Saturday in yr 6.

She’ll definitely drop the associates if she got a place. We chose CAT because it feels easier logistically than our current run of classes and associates. The scheme looks brilliant! 

Good advice! She’s quite relaxed about tomorrow she tends to see all the auditions as a chance for an extra class which seems like a good approach. 

Oops! Half my post is missing?

apologies @glowlight

That’s good to know. I wasn’t sure if they needed to be at the level of the same age group which might be quite difficult when joining a group who’ve been in CAT since Y6. DD is current Y7. 
 

She’s already in 2 associate programmes so we thought just CAT for this audition. Perhaps a mistake? 

@glowlightjust CAT.

Anyone else got DCs auditioning tomorrow? 

31 minutes ago, SJBallet said:

YBSS email received… just to say they’ll be in touch in April. I read ‘we are sorry’ and my heart sank 😁. 

Me too! 

Anyone out there with experience of auditioning for CAT but older/going into year 8? 
 

DD has had a real mix of yeses and nos for auditions over the last year and we’re not feeling confident about this audition at all. So, wondered if anyone had any experience to share. I’m guessing they only take a small number when they’re older? Do they need to slot in at a particular level or would they still judge potential at this stage and offer a lower level? It’s all quite confusing! I don’t think she’ll be at the standard of her age group already in CAT but I also have no idea where she should be, or if it matters? 
 

Thank you!

2 minutes ago, sunrise81 said:

Yes.....it says on my DDs email about applying for summer residential and there Still being time. I am sure they close 1st March

Oh yes, it says the same on ours. That’s reassuring. Hopefully we’ll find out early March then. 

Am I right in assuming/hoping that the offers for the summer school are separate? So, those not offered scholarships could still be given a place? 
 

Not long until the deadline so I guess we’ll get those results soon too?

21 minutes ago, Clementine said:

Which centre did she audition at @DanceMamma? And how old is she? V well done to her for trying. You never know until you try! 

Leeds centre. She’s 12 so was in the year 7&8 group.

It was an expected no for DD. She enjoyed it but was a bit blown away by the competition. She’s non-vocational but does go to 2 well-known associate classes, but she knew straight away that she wasn’t in the same league as others in her audition group. It was a great experience for her so she’s glad she tried out. 

@Waverleyand @SJBalletthat makes sense. And well done to them for going for it when younger too! 
 

Good luck to everyone! 

7 minutes ago, Waverley said:

My DD is in the same position and doing the audition for experience really - did we maybe have to put down their age when we signed up the audition? It’s all blurring into one application form after another… 

If I remember correctly, it was a ticket system for the scholarship audition (eventbright type thing???), so you would have chosen an age group for the ticket? 
 

My understanding is that you needed to apply for summer school as well. 
 

Do you mean that your DC is just doing the audition for experience, with no application for the summer school? Is that something people do? No criticism meant by that!

Does anyone have experience of the ybss scholarship auditions? What to expect and how many are successful/offered?
 

xxx 

7 hours ago, NotadanceMa said:

I don’t know how old she is but I asked my child who is a teenager and they said; when she is in class commit all her focus to thinking about the sickle when she is working.

Over and over again.

My child had a problem with their bottom for just so long, so that was their focus when they danced until it was no longer a problem. It is sometimes easier says my child if you have an area where you are stuck to giving it a particular spotlight, rather than trying to perfect everything all at the same time.

If she could maybe also do some barre at home each day, or during the holidays, 15 mins. You be the teacher, no mirror and get her to practice, you give the corrections, so she starts to also feel what a non-sickled foot feels like.

There isn’t a quick fix, but she will get it after a while. X

 

Good idea! She’s 12 so would be able to make it a focus in her classes.

6 hours ago, MissEmily said:

Think about where the heel is facing. Inside of the heel down to the floor and really engage the turnout muscles under her bottom. Does she know the theraband exercises?

She’s doing all the exercises so hopefully it’ll improve! 

Hi all, DD has been struggling to correct a sickle when she can’t see her foot. She’s doing lots of strengthening exercises etc, but can’t work out which way to correct her foot when it’s out of sight (behind her etc). She ordinarily has great body awareness but this has thrown her! Does anyone know of any useful techniques for her to feel which way to correct? Stretchy tape maybe to feel the pull? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! 

37 minutes ago, Springflower said:

We have no news either so thinking it must be a no ☹

We’re thinking the same but I would have thought they’d have emailed the nos as well today? I’m sure we’ll hear tomorrow. DD is okay about it, she thought it was a really hard audition and wasn’t at all confident. 

No news here so I imagine it’s a no. 🤷‍♀️

My DD auditioned on Sunday too. We noticed that there weren’t many younger DCs there. Is scholars more suitable for teens? 

1 hour ago, balletbean said:

Hi. I think the answer is in your geographical location and availability. 
We balanced secondary school and ballet (amongst other genres) purely because of the distance between home/school/studio. 
School was about a 10 min slow stroll from school. My DD was not alone as some of her peers at school also attended the same studio. They completed their homework and revision on the floor of the changing room amongst hair spray, hair grips & other parents! Goodness knows how but they thrived on the discipline and pressure that their surroundings put upon them. They did and their grades were testament to their dedication. Not forgetting the interruptions for US auditions. Everyone that applied, secured a place at their chosen School/college with one student opting for Medical School. 
The added bonus for us was that home is a 6 min drive from the studio (traffic lights permitting!). 
By the time my DD sat her GCSE’s along with her cohort were attending on average 11/14hrs  dancing per week as they all had RAD exams thrown into the mix. 
I still look back at that time and ponder on ‘How did she do it?’  But they are all so driven focused and determined to reach their end goal they rise to the challenge. 
We even flew back home (after her audition) in the morning for a GCSE

examination that afternoon!
Pressure? What pressure 😂 

 

Upon reflection it could have boiled down to behaviour breeds behaviour. Not that she followed because her cohort were pursuing a dancing career but rather she was ably supported by her cohort as they were all in it together.  There was absolutely no pressure from the teachers at all. I can’t deny that being surrounded by others was incredibly beneficial. It must be so much harder for those who are on their own amongst their peers. 
 

ps. During a parent/teachers consultation one of teachers announced that they all wanted dance students in their class. As “they are all so focused and dedicated”. Work was always in on time unlike those students who don’t have sport or dancing as a focus. They lose track of time as they have too much time on their hands and therefore are distracted, their work suffered as a result. 
 

Just to conclude the key to all of this is to stay in control of the school work don’t let the school work overwhelm your DD (if that makes sense), maintain a regular bedtime routine, well balanced diet with a dose of fresh air ie a good walk,  to escape from everything and time to talk and touch base and stay connected to their siblings. Which actually is relevant to any student who is studying for any exams be it GCSE’s or A Levels. 
 

Good Luck. 

 

 

 

 

 

So, so helpful! We are lucky enough to have good training within easy reach. I’m really starting to question the idea of lower school. I’m not sure it’s ‘the answer’ for us. 

These are all incredibly helpful and insightful answers! Thank you!

For us, it’s a juggle to manage all the classes but manageable, just. She will be doing two associate schemes from September, alongside 4 hours of ballet (private class, grade class, IF class and an open class) , 2 hours of strength and flex, and tap plus contemporary. It’s a packed schedule but every element is from high quality dance schools. 

But, and it’s a BIG but, I have absolutely no idea how she’ll manage it all alongside increasing demands from secondary school?

There’s lots to think about! 

56 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

I totally agree !!

There are so many fantastic teachers and opportunities out there which I find are restricted when attending lower school. Years 7 to 11 cost us in excess of £60,000 and that was with an MDS. Think of all the fantastic summer intensives etc Dd could have attended for that 🤔🤣

The more I think about it, the more I’m moving towards this thinking!