mimi'smom

Hi Charlie The only thing i know is that it is a full day so a hotel the night before may be best if you have a distance to travel. No idea of finishing times though - sorry!

What wonderful inspiring news! Congratulations to your son Julie, a great success story

Congratulations to your DD Oldermum!

You could be right smiffymum - no Birmingham JAs have heard and they were the last but one audition I think. Just hope our letter comes on Monday as it is the only day I can get to the post before DD! Congrats to those with a yes and good luck for the finals Sending hugs to those with a no. I truly truly admire the children (and families) who can find the strength of character to try again - hopefully something good is just round the corner for you all xx

Hi Balletmad It's a question I've asked myself many times as I wonder whether my daughter is too tall for RBS. (she is certainly one of the tallest in her JA class but not in her class at school) There certainly seems to be general consensus that there is a RBS 'look' but what that is exactly seems difficult to pinpoint. I agree with Primrose about a slim physique and certainly flexibility (even hypermobility in the joints) Proportions seem to be a key too - my dd has long arms but these are in proportion to her long legs!! (not that I'm saying she has 'the look') I'm guessing slender hips and shoulders might be a consideration - but how they can assess this in pre teens is a mystery. DD is an Elmhurst PVP too and there is much more conformity in the physiques of her JA group than her Elmhurst group to my (untrained) eye.

Hi Sniffymum my DD was there today for her first try at NYB. Do you know who it was from the panel who was adjudicating? My dd didn't mention anyone she recognised on the panel (but getting info from her is like pulling teeth!)We were in the 1st group and she thoroughly enjoyed it (and came out looking like she'd had a real workout too!) Good luck to your dd for both Elmhurst finals and NYB xx

Very reassuring Twinkletoes thank you

Most dance teachers are happy to do these particularly if you have private lessons. After all they have to sign the form and many children only audition for JAs on the recommendation of their dance teacher. Does depend on the relationship you have with the teacher - we are very lucky in that respect!

So is the general advice not to do ballet (even if that is their passion?)

Oooh me too as DD is hoping to do a ballet solo for her Hammond audition..... Thought it would be best to show her keeness for classical dance.The other would be character but costume props too integral for it to work without. Greek maybe? Food for thought thank you ....

Charlie was going to message you to see how your dd was feeling today - glad she made it and enjoyed it! Elmhurst is a fantastic place and the staff are really lovely -I was very impressed with them all and feel very priviledged that my DD gets to go there on a weekly basis. Wasn't it lovely to see the last few minutes of the class too! I hope we do get to meet up soon - with our own special balletco handshake!! Did your DD wear her Elmhurst leo? Mine decided not to - she was on the second row on the end, tall, with a burgundy leo and white belt. She'll be wearing that to her other auditions (Royal @ Bham and Hammond) so if you're there you may recognise her (and therefore me!) Good luck for that dreaded wait! Fingers crossed x

Welcome Grumpybearzuk to this wonderful forum! Good luck to your dd in her Birmingham audition - my dd is a JA (year 6) there. I'm sure she will enjoy both the JA for a day session and the actual audition. And don't worry - it's quite normal for the moms to be nervous wrecks whilst the children take it all in their stride!!

Take care of your little one Charlie4dancin - hope that she feels better very soon x

Indeed BankruptMum - a little hidden gem! My DD has only done one (she's just 11) and she was blown away by the older group! i liked that we got to watch them too! I wish we could do all 4 of the Birmingham ones this year but unfortunately the last 2 clash with festival. But thoroughly reccomend them if do-able distance wise.

thanks 2dancersmum Small world indeed - was it the studio to stage insight day? If so we are also doing the next one on 12th Feb so maybe see you/your daughter there and get to say hello! And thanks for the info re Louise Browne - you've solved a mystery for me as I knew I'd heard of 2 Yorkshire based ones (Scholars and Seminars??) but my searching only came up with one. Will look into that one this evening.

Hi Passionforballet I would certainly recommend trying again for JAs in year 5 (if your nerves can handle it!) As oldermum says so few places are given at year 4 and having had a go at it once the audtion may be less daunting (if your child, like mine, is overwhelmed by ocassions such as those) I would also recommend the JA for a day workshops the RBS run that do what it says on the tin with the added bonus that parents can watch too and get an idea of a typcial JA class. Good luck and keep us posted !

Thanks for those suggestions Peach - certainly both worth a look into. DD has a friend who has done NYB but think only main cast (12 and over) board. Also may look into the RAD syllabus based summer school in Bournemouth (nearest we'll get to a holiday this year!

Thanks tutoo2much Finally got a reply by email saying letter must have been lost in the post and an email copy of it -SWL for us again so will continue my search for alternatives but at least now I know and can stop feeling persecuted!! Well done to all of those with places

Yes I wholeheartedly agree - this site has been invaluable to me as a completely clueless ballet parent!

Thanks Peach DD's JA teacher advised contacting them so I emailed on Monday (still get so nervous talking to them on the phone!!) and still haven't heard anything by return email or post. Have kind of dismissed it as a no now anyway and am looking at other options! But you are right about the letters - a friend of ours waited 5 days longer than us to hear about associates! And my mind is listening to the 'and they send out the yes letters first' line of thought!

Charlie4dancin yes would be lovely to say hello! Will have to find out how to pm on this new site! Good luck to your dd

Good luck Lildancer96

We're very lucky that Elmhurst is only a 30 min drive away (if the M6 is clear!) I'm sure your daughter will love it - hope she enjoys her day and I'm sure our paths will cross if not on Tues at some other time! Is dd dolng any other auditions? We are doing RBS and Hammond.

Yes Oldermum she is an Elmhurst PVP and a JA - what about your dd? We have a 10:30 audition - we will have to invent a ballet.co secret handshake! Good luck to your dd - I don't know if you are familiar with Elmhurst but it is a really lovely school!

Good luck to your daughter Frangapani and to all others auditioning for Elmhurst. My daughter has her yr 7 audition the following Tuesday but has some PVP friends auditioning this Friday - exciting (and equally terrifying!) times, So glad the forum is back up and running to help us all through this process!!