Swanwings

I've actually looked and cant find any in Berlin, the only German one I found is at the John Cranko school which is in May/June.

Its so hard being on a waiting list isnt it, my dd was on 3 last year and we had the same worries. She got into Yorkshire and ENB in the end which was a massive relief! This year unfortunately again, waiting list for 3! I am probably going to just wait and hope, though I think theres less chance this time round.... theres not many alternative options for her for those weeks, I'd be interested to know if you have found some good alternatives still taking applications though? As we are in London, our back up is currently lots of classes at Pineapple/Danceworks.

waiting list here too, also disappointed as she went last year.

Same here, dd got in last year from the waiting list, so it does happen, but we had hoped for a definite after last year and also attending the spring course.

Anyone waiting for ENBS SI results? My understanding was that we would hear this week, but havent heard anymore so I'm getting fidgetty now in case Ive missed something? Anyone got any updates or results?

7 hours ago, junedancer said:

I recommended this to a friend but they can’t seem to get tickets - looks like the UCL site is down.  Do you know if it’s sold out?  I didn’t want to suggest they travel into London to try the box office to find there are no tickets.  Too late for this afternoon but if they leave now they can make 5.30pm.  Not sure you can help.  I am assuming you may have a DC taking part and at the theatre to enquire. Thank you. 🙏🏻

So sorry, I'm afraid I've only just seen this, I was indeed at the the theatre.  Apologies I wasnt able to help, I'm not sure why they couldnt book tickets.

1 minute ago, Hanmah67 said:

Ah yes I’ve heard good things but too far for us 

I know there are homestay options which apparently work very well, but we live withing travel distance so I've never investigated it personally. My dd knows the ones who do homestay though and she says they're very happy there.

4 minutes ago, Hanmah67 said:

Can I ask which school she is at? Feel free to DM if you like. I have just heard v little positives so would be good to know which school 

I dont mind, dd is at YDA. 

1 hour ago, Hanmah67 said:

So are they actually any advantages of going to vocational school for Year 7? 

Absolutely! But its personal, perfect for my dd, she is so happy at her vocational school. She cannot imagine going to the alternative local secondary and firmly believes she would have been unhappy doing that.... I think shes right.

But as I said, its personal and also depends on what is available locally; if a dc is serious about pursuing dance, there really needs to be some excellent teachers and good opportunities in your area. 

If anyone is considering YDA for their dc, and is able to get to London next week; YDA is taking part in a gala performance on 26th March (next Sunday) at Bloomsbury theatre. It is a fundraising gala put together by Du Boisson Dance Foundation, with dancers from RB, ENB and Scottish Ballet performing alongside students from YDA and West London School of Dance. Tickets are only £25.

Its a lovely opportunity to see how the students progress through the school as all year groups are involved. Link for tickets and more info below.

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/whats-on/du-boisson-dance-foundation-stars-future

I believe it will be the week after next, ie week beginning 27th

my dd wears leotard and shorts when she sees her physio, so that would be my assumption for the auditions as well. A leo with a low back might be helpful as they like to see the spine.

3 minutes ago, Dancing unicorn said:

Going to vocational school isn’t everything! We sort of wish we hadn’t gone down that route and kept her home longer.
DD’s final school/college she went to was the best thing we did from 16! We wish we’d have found the school earlier as we’d have done their classes, associates etc instead of pursuing full time vocational. We’d have still done summer schools and possibly more private lessons too. I feel sure we’d have had a happier dd during those years. It probably would have saved us a lot of heartache and money 🤣

So maybe don’t think of not getting in as a negative but a positive 💗

Hope that helps put a different perspective on things 💗

This is very true... boarding isnt for everyone. I've known lots of young dancers whove done very well at local schools and gone on to train full time later. It just depends what your local options are.

This is such a big question, personally I reccommend YDA, its a wonderful school and I speak from personal experience. They do have some accommodation options and some funding but not always. They turn out some fantastic students and always look for the potential in students.

Otherwise; a local school which will offer high level classes is fine for now, If my dd had not gone vocational, I would have looked at doing several ballet locally, plus an associate course to give some variation and experience, plus some private lessons with a really good teacher (I dont think this needs to be every week). 

There are always opportunities to move schools later on, and opportunities tend to increase as students get older. There are lots of holiday courses as well which can help supplement weekly classes. Im happy for you to DM me if you want any more details.

Generally it is reccommended to wear a simple non fussy leotard ie; not lots of criss crossing straps, nothing asymmetric and of one colour. Otherwise I think it is personal choice.

1 minute ago, Dancemum19 said:

Hi what's WL?

White Lodge: Royal Ballet lower school

This is a very difficult question to answer, normally most professional training colleges only take students up to the age of 19/20, however there is sometimes some variablility and flexibility. It depends really on what they want to train in and what their capabilities are. Contemporary/musical theatre colleges are most likely to take older students, which ones also depends on location, whether you need funding (not all offer the funding options), and their aptitude for the course. Their teachers might be the best source of advice for this.

I realise this isnt really very helpful, maybe see what they really want to do as course vary enormously depending on what their preferences are.

Having potential means your teachers have probably seen something in you that you maybe cannot see just yet. It means what you may one day be capable of with the right training and hard work on your part. So dont judge you dancing too harshly.

Your future in dance however, really comes down to how much you love and want it. If dancing is the thing which makes you happiest and you love the training, hard work and any performance opportunities which come your way, then maybe you should go with it as far as you can. But its down to your gut feeling. You have to want it; it is a hard life with no guarantees of a job. It is a life literally full of blood sweat and tears, but as I say, if you love it so much that this does not matter, then follow your instinct, but its not for everyone.

1 minute ago, PippinPointe said:

I have a youth ballet company and we were due to perform season 8 in 2020 - for obvious reasons it sadly didn’t go ahead.

We have tried to get it back up and running but just don’t have the students applying. We have a well known Patron who is very involved but we have had to cancel this year due to a lack of desire for it. It has given so much joy, experience and performance opportunity over the years. It’s two weeks of daily “company class,” rehearsals, make-up etc with our costume department there full time to make sure everything is as it should be. There is usually a performance /dress run for an audience of various groups and then four performances. These opportunities are already there but if there aren’t enough children there aren’t enough people to fulfil the choreography sadly. The company is usually around 40-45 children aged from 8-17. Our first performances were 2011 so we have done this for a while. I think often unless it is attached to a well known establishment people don’t think it’s good enough sadly. 
I just wanted to say that this is already happening but needs support to be able to run 😊
 

I think this is a particularly relevant point; the school I work at has declined significantly in numbers over the last 3-4 years definitely less children wanting to start ballet. Not sure exactly why this should be the case.

I have always been extremely hoinest with my dd; she is determined to make ballet her career. I have told her that she may well have her dreams and ambitions, but to be successful she just needs to be paid to do the things she is trained to do.... It doesnt matter if she is a principal of a major company or corps de ballet jobbing dancer, teacher etc. As long as it makes her happy and she makes a living, then she has won. 

The dance training gives them so much more than technique and performance skills; they will be able to complete teacher qualifications (useful if between jobs), private coaching skills, acting skills, there are many avenues in theatre and fitness which become more open to them because it is their world. They learn determination, resilience, how to work hard for something they want.

I personally had a minor career in dance, but it left me with many skills which I have now turned to teaching work. These are skills I began to learn at the age of 8 and am still learning now. I would not change it.

I understand the LCB summer school is good but I have no personal experience. I can reccommend the Young Dancers Academy Summer school (24th-28th July this year). My daughter has done it previously, she is at the school and loves it.

My understanding of the RBS ATAP is that it is for currently qualified, practicing teachers who want to use the new RBS system, as a syllabus intheir private dance schools, I dont think it carries any teacher qualifications.

Elmhurst and Central do not do teacher training unless it is perhaps a small part of their dancer training programme.  

I have participated in several of the RBS iInspire seminars which are useful for expanding current knowledge but they also carry no accreditation. I dont think you have to be a qualified teacher to do those, but prior knowledge would be extremely useful.

Teacher training qualifications are generally run by the most well known syllibi: RAD, ISTD, IDTA, BBO, RBS (seperate course), there may be another one or 2 that I have missed. I recently completed my training with RAD but I teach ISTD at my current school. 

In my opinion it doesnt matter which one of these you know for teaching younger children, ultimately they all teach ballet at a level suitable for the age group. 

Waitlist here too, lsst year we had to confirm to stay on it but not this year... theres no option. I assume its automatic this time? Didnt get a place from the waitlist last year.

2 hours ago, Kerfuffle said:

European School of Ballet can’t accept British students for longer than 3 months so unless you have a EU passport there is no point in applying. I found this out very recently for my year 11 DD. 

Thank you for this, can I ask how you found out? I've been wondering about this but didnt find anything.

32 minutes ago, Bizzymum said:

Sorry to jump on your post but my 16 year old DS has been offered a place at the Dutch National Ballet Academy on the associate degree course. Can anyone give me more information about accommodation?

Hi Bizzymum, I couldnt find anything much either when I looked on the website. My dd is looking to apply next year so I'm just doing some research. I was thinking I would have to ask the school for help with this. Tricky situation for young 16 year olds though.