amber21

No matter what the outcome as long as the child has had an enjoyable positive experience at the audition, especially JA's . . . . . which I think many do with them being so young. I made my dd aware that we were supporting her keeness to audition for the experience of having the opportunity of attending a class being taught by one of the worlds best ballet schools and that there were only so many places that maybe available. If she didnt get through then it was no big deal it certainly wouldnt change her dreams or ambitions and if she did get through then it was a wonderful opportunity to be attending extra ballet classes with such a prestigious school with a world class reputation. Each child is individual and what one parent might say to their child maybe polar opposites to what another parent may say to their child to prepare them for possible rejection / acceptance. My dd is under no illusion that because she is privileged enough to be attending these classes at the moment that her path will be an easy one in whatever she decides to do or be at a later date when she is older. Ax

Good luck to all those waiting for results for JA's fingers crossed for all of you!! Ax

Well done and congratulations!! It must be lovely to have a choice of so many offers......amazing!! Good luck Ax

This is the historical story of how the Royal Ballet and Birmingam Royal Ballet were linked. They both emerged from the same place, it seems as though this is just an informative insight and reminder of their past and present links. In a recent performance of Copellia by the Birmingham Royal Ballet when my DD looked at the back of the programme at where the dancers had trained, the majority had trained at the Royal Ballet school. It does make for interesting reading. Ax

My DD during a growth spurt tends to get this where her hip wont move as though it has popped out, she then adjusts it with what is described as putting it back into place with a loud ploppy sound and then she can move it again quite comfortably without pain. Someone at her ballroom class told me that it can be hypermobility that can cause clicking, I am not aware my DD is hypermobile just flexible. Ax

Hi my DD first saw Angelina Ballerina when she was a toddler and used to copy both Angelina and the children dancing in the programme. I told her mummy used to dance like Angelina in a dance school then she started asking if she could go........ I remember calling the local ballet school and being told she could attend the baby ballet and tap childrens class as long as she was toilet trained and behaved herself!! DD was still 2 and used to take a teddy and wand to dance with!! I kept her first tap shoes tiny size 9's and gave her size 7 ballet shoes away to another little girl as we had painted them red for a show!! I used to do ballet and thoroughly enjoyed it so probably felt comfortable with her attending at such a young age. Her sister also started years later when she was 3 as she had been brought up with lots of dancing and performing little shows in the house. Even now they still love to put on little shows when we have visitors. Ax

Hi I have also noticed in other dance forms such as disco freestyle and street dance that more tricks have evolved appearing to require more flexibility and strength. Dancers have probably always been capable of such flexibility and strength so whether this is due to the demands of directors, choreographers, dance teachers and general development of dance. There seems to be a real surge in creativity in all dance genres, that appears to have encouraged a massive cross section of people into dance that has been positive in terms of enjoyment, socialising and keeping fit and healthy. Ax

Hi my dd is a ja they tend to do a variety of bar work, ballet in the centre along with stretching exercises. The moves are modified for varying years and I suppose having over 2 hours with the children the teacher has an opportunity to add plenty of variety in the class. I know my dd absolutely loves it and enjoys the variety compared to her regular syllabus based ballet class. Ax

It seems quite a big variation in the work your daughter does from one school to another. The exam where your dd passed a pre primary sounds like it was maybe a different examining body from RAD? One of my dd did the RAD pre primary last year and the marking didnt come out as merits or distinctions. The grading may vary from one examining body to another, hence why the opinions of the teachers may vary such. Ax

Congratulations and welcome to you and your DD! Brilliant news and what a high number at the audition!! Big well done, its a lovely feeling when they achieve such a wonderful opportunity. Ax

Hi I just think as parents it is our responsibility to ensure that we protect our children's wellbeing when they are either sick or injured. Even if a child is determined to carry on they are unaware compared to most adults as to the possible consequences of their continuing to perform when not well or injured. Ax

Hi it may worth having a look on the RAD website as they tend to run one day workshops. I think with the Jubilee celebrations there may be more local events taking place around where you live? Ax

Congratulations to your dd and her friends and also to amber4 to your DD and DS!! We have a yes for 2 girls in my DD's school at Sunderland too! Ax

good luck to everyone auditioning for JA's remember smile and enjoy!! Ax

How lovely you must be so proud and its so exciting for the dance school to have them perform as guests! Hope you had a lovely evening Ax

Hi and welcome to the forum. I am aware that the royal academy of dance even though based in london they also run workshops for children sometimes around yorkshire. If you visit their website their programme of events is on there for the rest of the year. My DD's attended their sleeping beauty workshops while we were in london and really enjoyed the experience. I am sure they have some things going on up north. Ax

What lovely comments with regard to the cygnets, thank you. I loved their dance and totally agree with the choreography which was lovely to watch and also thought they executed it beautifully. With regards to parts my DD was lucky enough to be cast as a cygnet and is tall for her age so this time in casting it maybe that this went for her. Mind she would have been happy given any part as this was her first experience and absolutely loved it, she made some lovely friends and found the whole thing a very positive exciting fun experience. The video clip that amumcathy has posted was one that both my DD's loved to watch and dance to as well as the Royal Ballet versions on you tube. I darent try putting any links on just in case!. . . . . I also enjoyed the swans, stagehands and spanish dancers. I thought the courtiers were brilliant considering there was alot on stage and all the costumes were amazingly gorgeous!! I was amazed at how professional the whole production looked. Unfortunately though with the performances being on school nights for my DD's friends and living nearly an hour away alot of her friends werent able to attend, so will have to wait for the DVD!

sorry i made a boo boo with replying to a post and deleted some of it!! hence another reply underneath!! sorry for taking up space.

I find it very frustrating and annoying when coming from a fitness background that BMI tables are not used in an appropriate way. Any professional who uses these scales/tables are only supposed to be using these as a guide with patients/clients and not delivering the results of these tables in such a blatant way. I have worked in gyms and clubs where delivery of such results has been quite damaging for the person on the receiving end. It is vitally important that these results are discussed in an informative and constructive way so that the patient/client is fully aware and informed correctly of why their bmi's maybe high/low etc.

Lovely news well done and congratulations!! Ax

Good luck everyone for your auditions this weekend, have a lovely time and fingers crossed!! Ax

We echo pups mum, cathy and rachaelballet lovely comments!! what a fabulous and amazing production, very impressive!! The costumes were wonderful!! DD has made some lovely friends and has had a ball, she has absolutely loved every minute! xxx

I am sorry to hear your news C4D and to the other DD's and DS's who may receive no's/maybes in the near future. Congratulations to those who have received exciting news in gaining places at their chosen schools. I am becoming increasingly aware that reading these posts over such a short period of time on this forum has given me a whole new insight into both pos and negs involved in what appears to be an ongoing process. I am very thankful to the parents who share their experiences on these forums and even though hard at times I appreciate you sharing your experiences as this is definitely giving myself alot to think about in terms of the whole application/auditioning processes along the way. Ax

Good luck to all your DD/S's both at the elmhurst and rbs associate auditions!! Let us all know how you get on, I am sure your DD/S's will have a ball!! Ax

I understand that Patricia Zhao started ballet at age 7 in her local dance school where she lived, her parents then took her to the Beijing Dance Academy and then went to the Kirov in Washington. Ax