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My DD got to WL and Elmhurst finals for year 7 but didn't get a place. She reauditioned in the January prelims for a year 8 place and was offered an immediate place in year 7 as a place had opened up and started after Easter in year 7 - so go for it if your DD wants to

DD really enjoyed this course which had a good friendly atmosphere.Well organised though practical information was quite late in coming through ( 2 weeks before the start) due to a change in course coordinator. There was no dress code. There were 3 ladies groups of about 20 students and 1 men's group. There were 7 French girls in my daughters group, and others from the USA , UK, Australia, and elsewhere in mainland Europe.Students were mainly from elite vocational schools .Age range 15-21. Classes ran from 10-5.30 Monday to Friday and Sat am.All days started with a 1.5 hour ballet class , then pointe, or Pas de deux for the oldest group, then rep/ contemporary. Tuition was top rate,and inspirational . Classes were conducted in English but individual corrections were given in English or French depending on the students origins, as the majority of the teachers were French speaking. It was possible to audition for the Dutch National Academy during the course.About half the students stayed in the StayOkay hostel in Zeeburg which was an 8 -11 minute tram journey away .Tram travel cost about €45 for the 2 weeks using the chip card travel card, including use in free time. The hostel was in a quiet residential neighbourhood , spacious , bright and clean.Communal meals were provided at breakfast and dinner, except at the weekends.Students were expected to make up a lunch pack from the breakfast items. Snacks such as muffins and Pringles were available for purchase.DD was not impressed by the food, but she is very picky , but still managed to find adequate nourishment.There is a supermarket across the road from Dutch National Opera and Ballet where the classes were held.My DD had a preloaded travel card with euros which was a MasterCard- a number of shops however only accepted Maestro cards including the Albert Hein supermarkets, she was able to use this to withdraw cash from ATMs.Wifi was patchy in the dorms but adequate in the communal areas. There was a secure luggage storage area.My DD was in a 6 person dorm, very basic , no soap or towels provided. The dorm accommodation was arranged by age and the dancers were housed with others on the course. The hostel is very large sleeping 600.No supervision was provided outside of class times ,suiting confident ,independant dancers .My DD enjoyed the freedom to explore Amsterdam with her new dance friends and found it a friendly ,safe city.Sensibly she declined the offer of cocktails (at 16) in the Ice Bar.There was a comprehensive 2 hour studio presentation at the end of the course at 3:15 on the final Friday featuring all the dancers in at least 3 pieces of work and attended by the Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet Company.The course was expensive but worthwhile.

Definitely ballet

At the Royal Ballet School Upper School auditions this year I know the students were numbered by age and birth month and lined up accordingly (15.01;15.02; etc)

Feeling very proud of myself negotiating Amsterdam by train , metro and tram to drop DD off at the Summer School today.Now back at the airport after my day trip. Dance mom job done. DD taking it all in her stride despite end of term exhaustion, coming alone and sharing with Belgian, French and American girls.Any other balletcoers out there.

My DD is going this year. Any other balleocoers going.The course finishes on the Friday.Does anyone who has been before have an idea of when the end of course show of work was scheduled and the finishing time.I am keen to get flights booked.DD is staying in the StayOkay hostel.Whats the best way to get there from the airport.

Elmhurst this year is doing iGCSEs in Maths Double Science English Language and Literature and Geography , the other subjects are standard GCSEs.The school therefore does not feature in the GCSE statistics.

Elmhurst is 10 hours/ week for A levels - 5 hours for each subject (27 hours of dance)

My DD was 7 when she auditioned for JAs and got in for a year 4 place.She is now at vocational school about to move up to Upper School.There were 4 other year 4s at the time in the JA class.The audition classes were grouped by age with the youngest last to dance.Before the audition the coordinator said thank you for coming we are all looking forward to seeing your lovely dancing.We are unlikely to offer places but I hope you all enjoy your class.We were therefore very shocked to be offered a place.

Working to pay vocational school bills.

The 14th and 15th July are evening performances and the 16th July is a matinee all at Birmingham Rep.There is a Gala performance in the school theatre on Thursday July 7.

The current Elmhurst year 11 were mixed across the 3 audition classes

70 finalists at Elmhurst today

Would send a pm tutugirl if your inbox wasn't full !

My DD used to get her pointe shoes fitted by Caroline Wright at Centre Pointe in Manchester - good range for beginners.

Are there any residential places

Is there anything out there starting after August 15 for a post 16 vocational dancer UK or Europe?

Postie has been ..... Nothing yet from Tring !

Last year we received results by email on Jan 29

My DD is in year 11 at Elmhurst and has a long 2nd toe.With the correct footwear and padding it doesn't impede her ballet.

Shame it's in the middle of a working day - though it is at half term

I was delighted to attend tonight's performance of the Snow Queen in our small provincial theatre.They coped admirably with the small stage and I hope they will return for future performances. I recognised one of the dancers who has danced in this theatre previously with the European Ballet.There were no cast lists available tonight and as previously mentioned no information about the dancers in the programme.I was directed by front of house to the website. It was refreshing to watch a mainly youthful cast dance with gusto in beautiful costumes.

My DD applied for year 7 at RBS and Elmhurst made finals but didn't get a place.She re auditioned in the January for a year 8 place and was accepted into Elmhurst after Easter of year 7 so places do become available .

Have you considered the Grishko pro-flex this is a very soft flexible shank which my DD had as her first pointe shoe - she also has a narrow heel and usually has elastics to help to retain the heels on her shoes

Your other options in the Midlands are the Jerwood Centre in Birmingham - physios for BRB or Sharon Morrison physios in Sutton Coldfield - Sharon was the Dancing on Ice physio & her company provides Elmhurst school physios.