Frangapani

Hello all

I was very sad to learn of the passing of Gailene Stock today - far too young to leave us.
She was always very pleasant - she will be missed.

F x

Well done from us Belljul!!!

Would be fabulous if we can see the finals on the internet?

F xxx

Hi can I please pick some off your knowledgeable brains please.

 

My Dd is auditioning on Monday 3rd for 6th form The Hammond 1st time there so a few general questions. I've booked into the travel lodge on warrington road as mentioned on previous threads, and going to pop over to cheshireoaks while waiting. What I wanted to know was, what time do the introduction finish for parents in the morning? and what time must you check out of the travel lodge?  I'm going to be on my own so was going to go back to my room for a bit then go over to look at the shops as other wise its a very long time, and fingers crossed if she is invited to do the afternoon section of the audition it will mean a even longer day of wondering about like billy no mates  also she not had any singing lessons and have printed the music off the internet so don't even know if its in her 'key' will the pianist know this and help her along a little? They were lovely over the phone and said for her not to stress about singing so feel silly phoning to ask this. Thank you

 

Best of luck to her from us! <3 xxx

Good luck to everyone with their auditions, my first one is ENBS next weekend :S

 

Just some information about LRBS as it has been discussed previously, I attended the school a few years back for a few years as one of their , the standard of training was high I certainly increased in my strength, flexibility, technique and overall gained a lot more gritty determination with the Russian method. I was on the junior vocational course (ages 10-16) However, there is a lot of pressure to perform in their shows and I found that I was often sitting watching or rehearsing instead of actually practicing, for example when I came to my new school I was quite far behind for my age en pointe, picking up steps quickly etc, because the school seemed a bit bogged down in technique technique technique... I therefore would be concerned about graduates competing for jobs. Furthermore the studios were small and so there wasn't much room to dance. Students were often treated unfairly and pretty much every class someone ran out crying. I think that was the high pressure and demands of the school on students who were often there every day including Sundays for rehearsals and were just worn out so couldn't handle any more pain and harsh criticism. The environment was strict and although they made sure that skinny girls were eating properly, others such as myself, were called out during class or politely spoken to after class to maybe drop a few pounds before shows etc. I didn't have too much of a problem with this but I think sometimes the way it was done was unfair especially when you were called out in front of friends during barre etc. 

 

However, I do not want to put anyone off as this was just my experience and I know many girls who are happy there, the small class sizes and individual attention is fantastic and as I was never a full time student because I left before my A levels, I never experienced the full feeling of the school. I am also aware that some of the teachers who used to be unhelpfully unkind on students have left now. The shows, despite taking time up from classes where I would loved to have just danced in a free space, were great to do and always to a high standard. For example, we got to wear original Russian tutus for Swan Lake, danced at the Royal College of Music theatre and when the Bolshoi came to London we were given free pairs of their spare pointe shoes! 

 

As for studio size, I am aware that they are currently building new studios so I am sure that will fix that problem, and my parents were impressed with the wide range of a levels on offer; the director of the school is friendly and has a lot of drive for the students to succeed not only in ballet but academically. As I said before, a lot has changed since then I am sure, and definitely go and check it out for yourself a few times! I tried the first class and never wanted to go back but after a few weeks you man-up and get on with it, you start to enjoy the pain! Dedication in students is certainly rewarded and I hope that the school succeeds, after all there needs to be more top UK ballet schools as the demand for places is crazy! 

 

Discipline is a must in ballet generally but certainly be prepared for hard work at the LRBS, after all it is Russian. Get to know the school, they are very welcoming, and work out if this is the place for you, unfortunately it just wasn't the school for me.

See you there as DD is at ENB on 8th too!! She is in at 1.15??

F xxx

It was a "no" for DD.... ah well! Onwards!

Best of luck to others waiting

F x

Hello all - well the (much dreaded) letter from Royal Ballet has landed (Birmingham auditions).....

Am sitting looking at an envelope clearly containing a single sheet of paper - that will be a no then!!!! (2nd this week as got a no from Elmhurst on Monday..)

SO tough this process isn't it? Just relieved she has at least got a place at Northern!!!

Good luck all with opening the post..

F xxx

Thank you all xxx

Congratulations on your daughter`s success,Frangipani.Where else has she auditioned for?

Quite a lot as wasn't expecting to get anywhere!!!! Royal, Elmhurst, ENB, Central, Ballet West and School of Ballet Theatre UK.... done 3 auditions (including Northern) - waiting on 2 letters and 4 auditions to do...... xxx

Hello all!

Well it has started WELL for DD!! She has an offer of a place at Northern Ballet School in Manchester - so a positive start to the audition process for her and WELL DESERVED! (she is a genuinely nice girl who has had it very tough the last few years..)

Waiting on 2 letters and 4 more auditions to go....

Best of luck all

F x

Well done all the "yes" 's and commiserations to those with a "no" - we are expecting a "no" for upper school any day now so I do know how it feels...

Can I just say that DD only tried for WL for y7 and made it to finals... she didn't get a place, HOWEVER, had she have got a place she would have missed out on some wonderful experiences in ballet and would also not have some of the wonderful ballet friends she has made since....

I do believe that everything happens for a reason - but do remind me of this should she get absolutely no finals!!!

F xxx

Is it a coincidence that my roots are now coming through grey rather than their once natural blonde??......

Hope all is going well all!!

Fingers crossed for all our dancers xxx

F xxx

With any audition (or exam, for that matter) you need to put all 'what ifs' and anxieties about preparation out of your mind and instead concentrate on the present ie what YOU are doing NOW. Forget about everything and everyone else. Ignore what everyone else is doing, has done and might have done.

Amen! Couldn't have put it better!

Well I just want to say "break a leg" to them all - DDs "journey" starts tomorrow.... she has her head firmly on her shoulders and expects no finals - so anything beyond that will be a MASSIVE boost!!! We are realistic in our house!!!

All do your best and ENJOY it - that will shine through (and as my DD says... "at least you get to miss a day of school" )

F x

thank you Frangapani -

are you up there in Feb for a course or an audition?

An audition xxx

Well, trains booked for us as DD starts her quest for an Upper School place next week with audition number one of many!!

Rizzo - well done to your DD - my daughter loves Ballet West and we are up there in Feb half term.

Good luck all!

F xxx

We haven't heard from ENB either - the others were all pretty quick. Just hope that they all ENJOY the experience no matter what the outcome... I have reminded DD that, should she fail to get a place, there is always next year and she can have a look at places she hasn't thought of trying this year...

F

Aw shame Katymac. Sometimes it just hits us that they are growing up and don't need us so much. Listen to " Slipping through my Fingers" from Abba in the movie Mama Mia and have a good howl lol. I hope the sadness will pass soon and the pride in her independence will return x

Oh how funny you put this as I was listening to that song earlier today, whilst looking at most grown up DD and was almost sobbing!!!

F x

My Central form printed off okay - but The Hammond one has come through a bit fuzzy - as if I was reading it after several glass of good red wine!

Cripes it is SO stressful isn't it??

F x

Well, I am sitting here speechless with horror.... Here I am (after way over 30 years) STILL suffering from anorexia nervosa - not aided by ballet teacher calling me "big" many years ago - I now see, by looking back at photos of the time, that I was "big" in height only - I was incredibly skinny - but to a child those comments stick... I can't imagine how I would have felt had I actually been called "fat"!!! Time to strike off teachers like that if you ask me - it is tantamount to abuse...

I really hope that your daughter is able to rise above all this, grow stronger and more resolute and develop into the wonderful dancer she clearly is, without these setbacks.

F x

Hello all! I am (finally) back after house move, no laptop etc etc. Hope I haven't missed too much!

Well, with all the STRESS of the last few months, I slipped up re applying for my daughter to have a summer school place. Hoping that she can at least do York..... anyone else going to be at week 1 at York just incase I can get her in?

F x

Best of luck to all auditioning and waiting for letters. I am quite enjoying having a year off the audition rounds!

F x

Hello all!

I am still here! (just having very busy, stressful time!) - still open for "business" if anyone needs any shoes doing - and thanks for the recommendations!!!

F xxx

(still laughing at Stirrups comment!!!!! - you have made my day!!! )

F x

I am unclear as to how you define "haughty" or snobby people? I am middle aged myself and am well spoken (which some people may misinterpret as being snobby as I don't have a regional accent?) - HOWEVER I am the least "snobby" or "haughty" person going - well, I imagine most of the people on here are the same!

I have been judged as "snobby" by people who don't know me purely by my lack of regional accent from time to time and it is a pet hate of mine.

I am sure .many are offended by these comments......

F

Yes - I know of one who has never been at RBS before (having tried) and got into 2nd year SAs Best of luck!

F xxx