Lilac

DD is auditioning for largely Contemporary courses to start age 18. Her main applications for this are LSC, Laban, London Contemporary and Northern Contemporary. Some seem to let you choose dates and some allocate them, first come first served. At present she has ended up with 2 December dates, which I'm not sure if that's wise or whether she's best waiting until February when she's had more tuition, time to prepare solo and for interviews etc. DD feels it's terrible to ask to move a date, but I've got the impression at open days that it's no issue, and certainly won't count against you! Does anyone have any experience/opinions about if it's best to audition in the beginning/middle/end of the audition season. In general places seem to be allocated in batches. She did also have a December date for LSC but because she does associates there they moved it saying it was better to take advantage of more tuition, which really makes me concerned about December auditions when they go through to March! Thanks.

LSC don't have any of their own accomodation but produce a list of recommendations. It's a mix of B&B, hotels etc. DD traveled from home although a long trip, soon first hand experience of this. Cris Penfold would advise about this. Will ask DD about boys participating last year.

DD may do the LSC Summer school again, and if she does will be 18. Definitely at least one 18 year old last year. We enjoyed watching the showing at the end also. If you have any questions Cris Penfold who oversees is very helpful if you have any queries, and very quick to reply to emails.

London Studio Centre do one. DD went last year when she was 17, and there was at least one 18 year old who was going on to train at London Contemporary. No official accomodation, but they provide lists and recommendations.

Just wondering, are pointe shoes needed tomorrow as well as flat ballet shoes? Also how many leotards are people wearing/taking? Thanks

Does anyone have any tips about the approx one minute solos required for many of the Contemporary auditions, especially where music choice is concerned?DD doesn't have a lot of time and even finding music can take forever! Thanks

Yes it's very quick if much travel involved! Not sure yet, can do on the day but is an early start!

Can I be nosy and ask your date? Ours is 12th Dec!

Honeybee have you heard from London Contemporary now? DD has had a letter and know we applied after you!

Yes finally worked that out re Laban! Then the others seem to belong to UCAS dance and drama conservatoire. With DD also wanting to apply to Bird who seem to use the general UCAS form, it means an awful lot of individual applications and especially personal statements! Taking a huge chunk of our time at present. Just got London Contemporary and London Studio Centre completed. Constantly aware of most applications being open, and trying to ensure an audition place!

Finding the UCAS conservatoires system confusing, grateful if anyone could clarify! My understanding is that Laban, Northern Contemporary, London Contemporary and Rambert are all part of it? Yet London and Rambert definitely seem to have their own direct applications, Laban use the Conservatoire application and Northern doesn't say at present? London Studio Centre then seem to be totally separate from all this! Thanks

My none DD daughter is at medical school at a Russell group university and has 9 GCSEs. All except 1 X A grade were A*. Perhaps some case for quality instead if quantity?

Hi My daughter has only just managed to submit her application, hopefully that's not too late. Is the virtual open day the only open day do you know?

Does anyone have a DD or DS applying for contemporary degree courses at 18?would find it very helpful to compare notes. Or anyone who has been through this recently? Looking to apply to schools such as Laban, London Studio Centre, London and Northern Contemporary. Thanks.

My husbands family have a tendency for nose bleeds, both he and older daughter have had nose cauterised. Been very effective for them, would definitely recommend.

Doing Associate classes is how we increase the hours.still not th same as being at vocational school but also can achieve some different/higher level teaching. DD who is 17 does an extra 7 hours per week that way.

Do you think it would be relevant for a student applying for a Contemporary focus at 18? Thanks

Yes I always thought so, or exposed in the local paper at least. I felt it really disadvantaged kids like my friends daughter as they were so behind with grade work. When she finally moved and did exams she never did all that well, I think generally you are best working through the levels.

Probably a bit of a diversion, a friend of mine had a daughter at a dance school where the teacher used to take money for exams which never happened. She used to say that the exam board had no availability , but according to DDs teacher at the time she would send in 4 possible dates and be given one. The thing that most concerned more was the teacher taking money from trusting parents on their children's behalf and then no exams. My friend eventually got wise to it when she rang the board directly when some exams had actually happened, and no results received. The board had received no payment hence withholding the results, Thankfully my friend moved her daughter soon after. Don't know how people can do this, thankfully the school is now closed.

Just wondered if anyone knows much about them, and partly their associate scheme? Received some publicity and wondered if it might be more challenging for DD than another year in Group 6 at CBA? Sounds interesting with possible work with their company.

Hi, if you can get to London, London Studio do mixed associate courses of Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz and Musical Theatre. These I think start at 14 years, but they do junior classes prior to that so their website would be worth a look. Cris Penfold who oversees Saturday classes is very helpful and efficient at answering emails.

The RAD have lots of activities and there are often residential options if you want. Might be worth a look.

In my experience of recent festivals there does always seem to be a song. Not sure about poems, DD had a poem in Greek dance. We once went to a lyrical section where the adjudicator reckoned most people's dances weren't Lyrical as things like they spent too much time on the floor! If I can find the notes I made will let you know. You can perhaps see if looking up All England and Lyrical produces anything. Have never watched Contemporary sections so can't comment on that. Lyical normal seems graceful and flowing to me!

DD is at. A sixth form college where some students have done GCSE dance, and others including DD have not. The only requirement there was 5 GCSEs and some dance experience. Last year auditions (at a low level) were introduced to check their practical dance skills. I think this was probably to weed out some of those choosing it as an easy subject! DD hasn't really felt disadvantaged by her lack of GCSE, I think a wide dance background more than compensates, perhaps she would have found choreographing her solo easier, bit it's nothing they can't overcome.

It's encouraging to hear of students getting offers for 3 subjects including dance. With the halfway house she finds herself in with the current A level changes she can't face another year of Biology. She is thinking of taking Further Maths AS next year, or possibly an EPQ to top up the academic side. If she fails to get into dance college, and her academic side isn't strong enough, we will also consider a third year at sixth form to strengthen her position.