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Congratulations and good luck on your pending news!! What an achievement!! Good luck to the younger dancers who also have their funding auditions next week!! Ax

We were also treated to a delightful performance at the Sunderland Empire on Friday evening. Both Ambra Vallo as Swanilda and Tyrone Singleton as Franz danced with an appealing sense of hilarity, humour and convincing rapport of comedy, fun and genuineness. We went with our dance school, the children had fabulous front row seats and this was the first time some of the children, my DD's, myself and my mum have ever seen Coppelia. We thoroughly enjoyed both the humour and cheekiness and were astounded by the fabulous acting/dancing performance by all the cast. We are definitely looking forward to BRB's next performances up in the North East!! Definitely Bravo!!

Well done emsloves2dance, ballet12 and others receiving finals letters, lovely news and very exciting!! Good luck for next week!! Ax

Oh gosh what an achievement and congratulations, it sounds so frustrating..... when do you find out? Ax

Wow!! Well done to your DD, she must be so excited bless!! Congratulations!! Ax

Hi no . . . . .We are going to see them though performing Coppelia on Friday night. DD's and friends really looking forward to it!! See you Sunday!! Ax

Aawh lovely news, congratulations to your DD and her friends from JA's. Well done!! My DD JA and would love to go but too young to audition yet!! Ax

Good luck to both your daughters, the studios are stunning there and the staff are always lovely and friendly!! Axx

Can i just ask are you referring to Junior, Mid or Senior associates in the above? In cases of Junior they are too young to be attending full time school and with reference to the Mid and Sen with so few places going I would imagine the criteria for these places would be very stringent in terms of flexibility etc.

Hi talking to one of the mums whose DD had audition they were told it would be this week!! Good luck!! Ax

No we are not quite at that level yet, still in JA's!! Lovely to hear about everyone elses success too!! Good Luck!!

Congratulations!! Looks like its going to be a good year for your DD!! Good luck!! Ax

Hello emsloves2dance Nice to see you have joined at long last!! DD very excited re cygnet part also!! Ax

My daughters do freestyle and the comps we do are no where near what this extreme portrayal shows. Both in costumes, make up and dancing style. Our association does not allow filming at comps therefore this programme only shows one side of freestyle in the context of their competitive body. I find it frustrating that these programmes portray only this type and side of freestyle competitive dancing! Ax

I dont believe the RBS is writing off any child in auditions, they are very honest in the way they deliver the first session of JA's in that everyone is made aware that only maybe 1 or 2 out of every group may only ever make it onto the stage as a professional ballerina, on their website it says that they have their own system of training and choose children who may respond to this. I agree that they may miss that one child who could have been 'the one' and they maybe chosen by other companies and possibly end up back at RBS at a later date. Surely isnt this about having the experience and enjoying it for what it is or maybe? My own DD dance teacher advised my DD to give up her other styles of dance because she had got into the RBS and at present she doesnt want to, if she does choose to do this at some point and gets assessed out later down the line at least she would have enjoyed the experience and still can do ballet along with her other dancing she enjoys. I think aswell If we really knew why it was children werent picked that could prove quite damaging to both childrens confidence and parents committment.

sorry to hear your news frangapani and to the other children who havent heard good news this weekend..... good luck for march news Ax.

Hi Stardancer From what I have read from your experience if this teacher is registered with any examining body ie RAD/ISTD/IDTA they do have a code of conduct that involves safeguarding children, this sounds as if she is breaching this and needs reporting. Ax

I would definitely agree with primrose and angela_stapleton. It is fascinating how ballet teachers appear to know what 'the look or requirements' are to encourage certain students to apply to RBS. It maybe in some cases their own personal assumptions of what is required. I would say that from years of experience auditioning thousands of children the RBS must be quite expert in being able to ascertain what body types or abilities have a chance in responding to their type of training. After all there are always plenty of children to choose from for such few prestigious places. I would agree with primrose if you dont try you will never know and it is a lovely experience by even just going along to the audition which can be a very positive experience for a child. Ax

Oh Gosh how frustrating!! Sorry I couldnt be more help. We also saw some on the RBS facebook page. Good luck let us know if you find some!! Ax

Wow!! Congratulations to you Ruth, what a journey and inspiration to all our budding ballerinas out there!! Ax

Hi We have seen alot of photos of the open day it must have been on the old forum before this one. Have you tried googling for the photos, if there had been a professional company taking photos they may have put their details alongside the royal ballet open day. I may be inclined to contact the organiser at white lodge for photographers details. I am aware at dance comps professional photographers tend to have websites where the public can buy photos they have taken. Good luck Ax

Hi we went to the new premises last year on their open day in Leeds. The studios and whole building are phenomenal!! Really modern and state of the art. The building has about 3 or 4 floors with 2 or 3 studios on each floor and fantastic views across Leeds from the top floor. My daughter went to the younger summer school last year and thoroughly enjoyed it, Michael Buerkin who trained at the RBS took the classes. They also have a cat programme running and lots of classes for general public. Professional dancers rehearse there and all of the academy classes for associate and vocational programmes are taught there. Yoko Ichino and David Nixon both teach there. It is a working dance school combined with professional dancers visiting for their rehearsals. Ax

'tutoo2much' Has anyone got any tips for washing ballet tights. I hand wash dd's but there are a lot of pairs which have discolouration on the feet which makes them look dirty. Does anyone put them in a machine? If so at what temperature? I always wash my DD's at 30 degrees and they tend to last longer. Good luck Ax

Great will be a relief all round!! Good Luck!!

I took my DD's photos in our lounge against a wall in the day time with good light. The poses were shown on the application form, I took about 4 of each pose so that when I downloaded them onto the computer we were able to pick the most suitable. My DD kept getting the giggles so she was smiling on some of hers!! As long as they havent been touched up or altered and are clear to see the poses they are suitable to send. Ax