Swanwings

14 minutes ago, Ballerinamom said:

I had in my head Feb 5, but clearly that has come and gone.  I’m still hoping this week as we have decisions to make. Saw somewhere else that due to large number of applications that it might take a bit longer. 

They also said the same last year

30 minutes ago, NorthernLight said:

Good morning,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We aim to send out Summer Intensive 2024 results via email before mid-February. We thank you for your patience.

 

Hope this helps. If you require any further information, do not hesitate to get back in touch.

 

Kind regards,

Thanks for that, maybe next week then!

2 minutes ago, NorthernLight said:

Also waiting.  It's excruciating!  I'm sure that, especially for the younger ones, phone photos are fine!

 

another day of checking emails.....

1 hour ago, Sbuchan3 said:

First year applying this year. Applying from The US but don’t need boarding as we have family in London. Checking daily now, wish they would put us out our misery 😂. My daughter is 13 but 14 soon. Do you think being on the lower age makes it’s harder to get into upper? Wishing I had done proffesional photos now! Good luck to everyone!

I wish they would too! Checking emails every 5 mins...

1 hour ago, BalletMummy123 said:

Wish they would put us out of our misery lol sick of checking x

I wouldnt be surprised if we have to wait a couple more days ....!

17 hours ago, BisforBallet said:

Has anyone had any further information yet? We got the initial email and the fee note but nothing else? 

I think thats all there has been, there was a declaration form and course info with the initial email.

Thank you @Adagio123 does anyone know about upper school finals?

@Adagio123 can I ask is this for upper or lower school?

yes, last year closing date was end of January

3 minutes ago, BalletMummy123 said:

Ooh 4 weeks is this Friday 🤞

🤞

I think its usually 4 weeks after closing date so we should hear next week. 

yes, they ask for full body; front, side and back in parallel, plus a degage devant to show foot arch. They are all bare feet on flat (not demi or pointe). 

10 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

One question springs to my mind…. What actually constitutes graduate success these days? Is it job immediately after graduation? Is that joining a company or a cruise ship? Or is it going on to more training or university? Or a short term apprenticeship or obe if the ‘pay to dance with’ companies that seem to be springing up. Or being prepared for a ‘portfolio’ career that might be a mix of freelance dance (in between barista or similar most likely..)Or going into Escher training…

I would say for choice of training institutions it is perhaps better to focus on the here & now as what is most important is they train in an environment that offers excellent training in a safe & supportive atmosphere & with transparent communications. 
Remember too often graduate success may be portrayed as the success of the last training place when in many cases the foundation of that training has been at prior schools (we have all witnessed places of repute who bring in international competition winners already career ready for the third grad year of upper schools) or indeed the polish that helped gain a job was actually gained by outside additional coaching….

Good luck! 

 

Thank you for your reply @Peanut68 I think a simple version of my answer to your question is success depends entirely on what the graduate wants to do, (my dd isn’t expecting to launch straight into major company life, she’s a realist) and as with any training programme in any education environment; success is making a living out of what you have trained to do. We are under no misapprehensions of what it is like in the dance world. I am ex ex dancer myself and have witnessed it all first hand. However, I am just trying to help dd find a school which will give her the type of training she wants and also, hopefully, give her some guidance on graduation. 

22 minutes ago, tutugirl said:

Moorlands have great graduate success

thank you @tutugirl I don’t know much about Moorland, where do graduates usually find work?

Thanks @Tiaramum The Acosta programme looks amazing but it’s a bit contemporary for her just now. I’ll look at Kings, can you tell me where the graduates generally go? Which companies have employed them?

Hello, I hope this question is allowed just now; I'm looking for experiences of which upper schools give help to their graduates in finding work. Im very happy to receive replies by DM if it helps.  

My dd is looking at her options and one thing which concerns me is which of her choices will actually introduce her to suitable companies, directors etc. She's really only considering classical just now and focussing on schools such as ENBS, Elmhurst, RCS and Central.  Ive heard bits about each one, but I'd love to hear from those who have had experience and what sort of help they received. As I said, please DM if its easier to avoid naming schools etc. Thank you so much.

I was taught that development of dance comes from 2 strands; performance and social. The performance side definitely does have its roots in ballet, originatng in Italian Commedia del arte, French courts etc. However the social dance scene, steming from country dancing, national, ballroom, regional , etnic etc... is where the styles such as jazz, tap, etc have all come from; they do not therefore have any roots in ballet. The crossover has happened mostly in the late 19th (music halls) and 20th century where these styles from a social aspect have become popular as performance styles as well.  Happy for a dance historian to correct me?!

I think theres quite a few still open; Elmhurst and Yorkshire havent closed yet

Slight diversion of topic, but I wonder if anyone can tell me which upper schools are particularly good at helping dancers find work on graduation? DD is looking at options of upper schools and Id like to know if there are any which really help them with auditions, connections to companies, introductions to directors etc.

DD is reluctant to go down the route of competitions just now (this may change of course), and I'm wondering how detrimantal to her prospects this may be?

He's in London, but he does do online, he does holiday conditioning classes online as well. 

Have you tried seeing a ballet specific physio? I can highly reccommend Luke Abnett, he's really good at helping young dancers understand and overcome issues. 

@DancerFifi I will dm you

6 hours ago, BalletP said:

 

Most probably because everybody’s experience is different , my child is currently at one of the vocational schools mentioned by the BBC article and to be frank has a wildly different opinion

to what has been mentioned within it. Finding it an incredibly nurturing and fulfilling experience, I couldn’t drag her out of it if I tried.

So from my own personal experience and point of view I can understand the ofsted results.

Obviously not wanting to undermine yourself or anyone on here who has had a bad experience.

 

I do think that it’s important though to express the fact that from what I’m aware of, my child and the absolute majority of her class peers are having a fantastic time doing everyday what they truly love. Which I personally don’t take for granted, they are lucky to have that experience.

 

I’ve reluctantly replied to this thread as its such a tough subject but I do think some balance needs to be kept here.

I agree absolutely with @BalletP my dd is also at one of the schools and her experience differs vastly. She has been there for years and we have found it to be nurturing and wonderful, all the staff have taken such care of my dd I couldnt wish for a better school.  She has been ridiculously happy and adores all her teachers. I am sorry to hear of the reports from some students, but this is far from our experience.

It was around 4.30, but I would allow for a little longer in case they overrun a bit, and for the dancers to change and say their goodbyes etc.

3 hours ago, Macmac said:

So sorry completely new to all the upper school (16+) application system. Would anyone be able to explain please what course my DD has to apply for on Central? Is it the undergraduate form to complete on their website? So confused 🙈. When is the deadline for CSB, Rambert & NSB?

Yes, its the undergraduate form. I believe the others are the 1 yr degree top up (which comes after) and the MA (which comes after that). Closing date for CSB is 19th Jan. I dont know the other ones, they will be on the website though.