theodore

YES, Anna C

Hi Forum Friends, my DS has won a scholarship to study at The Bolshoi Summer Intensive from the 18th of July, are any of your dancing children attending? as I am having sleepless nights worrying about him traveling there alone at 14. The Bolshoi expect the international children to make their own transfer arrangements. I am fine with the plane part as he would be able to use unaccompanied kids, but the thought of him looking out for a taxi driver with his name on a card and then the 2 hour drive to CT is a step too far for me. DS would be devastated if I won't let him take up such a wonderful opportunity. If any of you are attending and could share the on wards journey I would feel much happier. Here's hoping!!!!

HI Yorkshire Pudding, welcome out of the shadows! I have a ds , and in my opinion I wouldn't worry too much about him being the only boy at this early stage. I have found that the boys who decide to take ballet, take it very seriously, and much less like a hobby. It might be worth calling Tring and asking if they would allow him to take part even though he is a little bit younger, they can only say no. All the boys I know have moved into associate programs quickly after taking up ballet if they are serious. My son didn't start ballet until he was 9, he auditioned for RB JA'S 4 months later and got in. Within exactly 2 years he sucessfully auditioned for WL , Tring and Elmhurst and was offered yr7 at all three. At 14 all his non dancing friends are extremely jealous of all the time he spends with beautiful ballet girls, especially as most are at a boys only grammar, not helped by DS telling them all about partnering work. Look at the Royal Ballet web site as I seem to remember reading about an introduction to ballet for boys. Also let him watch men dance, as they will if he is anything like my son make him sit up in his seat and announce that I'm going to do that one day, and he has.

Mumofaboy, yes to shorts for Elmhurst audition .YR7 AND 8 still wear trunks at Elmhurst. They will want to be able to see his bare legs. WL yr7 boys also wear trunks. Year 7 teacher in WL even drew lines on the back of their legs . Remind your son about posture, even when lining up. I used to sell pta bits at WL auditions and it was interesting to see how long the teachers stared at the line before walking them into the audition. Remember his hair. They like short off the collar ,well styled hair for the boys. Short hair at the back will make your son's neck appear longer. Clean white socks and ballet shoes. Remind your son to listen to every thing the teacher says. They are looking for boys who really want to be there, and who will give 100%. Behaviour and manners are also noted. GOOD LUCK!!! Elmhurst is a lovely place. My son loves it.

Hello people. DS and I are traveling to Birmingham today ready for summer school. It is too far to return home so i will be killing days in Birmingham. Just wondering if any one else is in the same Bobby No Mate situation, and likes wine, shops and long lunches with more wine. Happy to meet some Balletco Mums.

Pointe-less, my DS was offered WL, Elmhurst and Tring without ever taking an exam of any kind. He had a wonderful teacher, which is far more important in my opinion.

I have heard of an Australian girl who has been offered a place from summer school from an Instagram posting. I know that WL approaches parents before the end of summer school if they are keen to offer places. Hope you hear soon Bobby pin. People don't always accept the offer.

DS and I are going on the first week Oldermum. It's our first time too. Have to say that I'm not sure that I'd have booked it if I'd known in advance that it was 3 hours away from the airport.I don't do coaches!!!!!! We received the course info yesterday, and I'm even more worried now that I've heard that hair dryers are frowned on and that they recommend torches due to power cuts. Please feel free to tell your daughter to ask me if she needs anything. I will be the wild looking one with terrible hair. On the plus side everyone that's been before,say what a fantastic summer school it is.

DS and I are going the 3rd-9th August, so yes boys can go too Harwel. No scholarships available yet for boys. Looking forward to watching the dancers and some ME time on a sunbed.

HUGE Congratulations CookieMonster04!!!!! Don't worry about what anyone says, enjoy the news. For what it's worth my son was offered 24 sessions for yr5. Yr 6 36 sessions and yr7 WL. I know of several children who are at vocational school who were 24 sessions all the way. Who knows what the reasons are but traveling distances, age of child, class numbers etc are probably factors. 24 sessions will be more than enough, There is only so much time a Mum can kill in Costa. Welcome to the crazy world of ballet parenting.x

Well it's come to something, when you can't even take a photo of your own son. Ridiculous and totally over the top. They aren't dancing naked.

I have tried sending you both a PM, not sure if i'm doing it right.

Waitingmum, It is extremely unlikely that your DD would be allowed to dance in a festival once she starts WL. They are really strict, about their pupils performing anywhere, but with them. She will also be really tired, and will want to relax in a one-sie when at home. My son didn't want to do anything' even invites to parties / family meals etc, were met with a groan. She will raid the fridge, hog the computer, and spend hours texting and calling her new roomies. She will also grow up so much, that first term. Good Luck x

The London JA times and days are usually sent 2 weeks before the actual audition. Good Luck

Congratulations Happy Mum. You are in exactly the same position as we were 2 years ago. DS went on to be offered YR7 places at Tring Elmhurst and WL. He is now gearing up for appraisals for yr 9. The worrying doesnt get any easier. If anything it gets worse as now his friends, girlfriend and teachers plus his second home are all at WL. Sorry to all the children who did'nt get the news they were hoping for.