Belleballerina

Apparently according to dd it is very enjoyable and relaxed and easier than Grade 7 - she got a good distinction and if you've done Grade 7 you "know it all" (her words) x

Harlequin are very ballet focused but an amazing all round training and if Paula feels your child is talented she will do what she can them. My dd was there from 3 - 10 years old and then we moved to Essex to another amazing school. - I credit Harlequin for her younger years - she's an all round dancer and is off to Laine in September x

Thank you Jan x

balletbean I've sent you a PM

Where are you in Worcestershire and what kind of training are you looking for? Without a doubt I can recommend Harlequin Stage School based just outside Worcester. It is a very strong competition/festival school but they also get amazing RAD/ISTD exam results and have a fantastic reputation getting their students into Associate Schemes and Vocational Schools/Colleges. They have a website and facebook but unfortunately i'm not good enough technology wise to post the links. My DD danced with Miss Paula for 6 years until we moved house.

balletbean I agree Bird have shifted slightly and my dd has been put off auditioning due to the fact that they definitely set based on tap - she is not a tapper! Whilst I agree about Laine being a definite Musical Theatre/Triple Threat college - Betty Laine does demand that her dancers have an extremely strong classical ballet background and I know of a couple of ex Royal Ballet School White Lodgers who have decided not to continue into Upper School for whatever reason but are joining Laine in September. I agree everyones situation is so different but I echo your advice about going to as many summer shows and doing some summer schools if you can afford to. My dd has never been an associate anywhere although has danced with National Youth Ballet for several seasons - she has strong, very demanding local training and after auditioning this year has accepted her place at Laine. It's been an exhausting few months.

I'm not sure that Laine, Performers and Bird are classed as the bright lights of London as none of them actually central London based but agree it makes a big difference where in the country you live and if your dc wish to move miles away. Good luck to all auditioning at the moment. It's stressful x

Not really ballet but my dd will be auditioning for college for september 2018 entry.. After doing open days last year as well as various summer/easter/ courses she has picked 6 - Laine, Performers, Bird, Urdang, Millenium, London Studio Centre and possibly Italia Conti and Bodyworks. She is currently doing an Extended Level 3 Btec in Performing Arts at her local college which has really bought her out of her comfort zone is she is ballet focused and also dancing at her local dance school every evening until 9.30 and all day Saturday so her free time is very limited. I have spent hours trawling through all the college websites as they all seem to require different things, different photos, some are online and they arern't straightforward if you aren't computer literate as you have to download/upload various forms, references, personal statements. and some require separate UCAS applications Basically she told me her choices and I have collated all the information needed and it is a lot! She just would never have the time to do it all. We are planning to sit down at half term and get the ball rolling together filling out application forms etc but as she as she won a free Urdang Pre-Audtion course place she will be out everyday there - I imagine it's going to be a challenging 6 month or so!

Just wanted to wish anyone dancing this week all the very best of luck. To have got to this standard is amazing! Enjoy your time on stage and have fun! Dd isn't dancing until the end of the week (13 peices) but apparently the standard this year is higher than ever so will be tough. Looking to hearing some yes's through to London Finals!

I agree if you could get to All England Regional Finals this week it would give you a good insight into different schools that are out there. If you look on the website you can see which day/time the sections are - watching your age group in a classical ballet section wld be very inspirational- the standard this year is stunning!

I agree defo - luckily our circuit is mostly very friendly but it is also very competitive. My dd is 14 now so just gets on with it and I stay out of the way - but she enjoys it so much she gets on with it. Luckily for us a lovely experience especially group wise and we are hoping for some through to semi/fianls x

I know not everyone likes festivals for one reason or another but just wanted to post a huge well done do all our groups, trio's duets and solos at Welwyn over the last few weekends. So many medals and an amazing adjudicator - Jill Baldock - so lovely and so inspiring to every individual dancer on the stage !

It is a lovely experience - my dd did it for 5 year 9 years - 13ish. The Junior Associates are welcome to Board at Tring during the Summer School and it is lovely for them to see what the older dancers are doing but there is a lot of hanging/waiting around either to go on stage or just to rehearse the choreo. In my opinion it is an amazing experience but expensive and the stage time they get is very very small unless you are one of the favourites who get cast in main roles every year. My DD did OPES summer school last year which she loved and it was defo better value for money. She is off to Dar Dance in Morocco Summer School this year - there are a lot of other options to look into x

So is mine - a first time for her as well. She is in the silver group. What an opportunity to get to dance in those studios!

A girl from Harlequin Stage School in Worcester too ( DD's old school) into last 20 as well!

Enjoy the couple of days - dd's duet partner is there - sending her lots of hugs - she will be amazing - xx

My dd and her friend/s are there for week one - it is new to them and they won't know anyone but they are very friendly girls and will be looking forward to making new friends (both 14) . Haven't a clue what to expect but have only hear fantastic things and our teacher recommended. Olivia Pickford is very quick with her correspondence x

I echo about Olivia - she seems fab and has answered a couple of questions very quickly. My dd and her friends are really looking forward to their week away - usually somewhere else for their summer school but doing something different this year and the accommodation looks lovely. They are looking forward to making some new friends.

Edward is lovely my dd was taught by him at Harlequin Stage School several years ago. He does know his stuff but yes is passionate about dance - but hopefully will be open and helpful to all his customers. I don' t know what pointe shoes they stock at La Dance though helpfully he will give you lots of good advice!

Just email them - they are extremely helpful!

My dd's teacher has suggested she apply. I think it is a new thing. I've applied for an application form and the lady organising it is very helpful. Fingers crossed that dd gets a place!

There is so much more out there re Summer Schools and certainly as the children get older they have more of an idea of what they prefer - be prepared to do lots of research now but think about ALL of the possibilities - some suit different children at different ages etc and this forum is has a wealth of info which is fab!

My dd's ballet teacher has just recommended this for next year 2014 - to a select few girls - all have previously been involved in NYB for several years but she has suggested this as an alternative - it looks very good and are hoping 2014 dates will be posted on their website soon - dd will be 14 next year.

It is tough when you have little siblings but somehow they always get through things - they seem to be very resilient in the end - I have often nearly not done courses and dance days/various festival commitments with overnight stays with my dd because of her younger brother but it all seems to work out!