Belleballerina

I agree - have just had a quick look - photographer is obviously very talented as are all the amazing dancers there - they all look beautiful!

Bloch's new leotard collection looks stunning - such choice and dd has already picked out a couple to add to birthday/Christmas list. Dance Direct and very good with quick delivery too!

I went - my daughter danced a trio - a long hot evening and a nine year old son with me who wasn't that impressed! I on the other hand thought the talent was amazing. Regatta I think I know who your lovely dd was if she really painted tears on her face! DD was pleased to see me as she has only ever been away from home for the odd sleepover and I am guessing she may be feeling a bit homesick. She hasn't actually said as much and although she has a phone I have had very little communication from her. It has been very busy and think she is probably quite tired too. I think she has picked up as the week has gone on! It's been very weird at home without her and I am looking forward to picking her up on Tuesday to bring her home if only for a day before we are off to Guildford. I have decided not chaperone this year - have done 2 years as a JA mum previously and it is very full on! I am watching the performance twice and trying to catch up with some me time too. Not sure what Guildford has in the way of shops but will take a couple of good books!

Always always on top we have been told for vocational exams and although colour is specified our teacher always asks the girls to have a different colour from the leotards and as a contrast to the hair but always on top of the bun in velvet. I don't suppose it actually makes a blind bit of difference to the marks - just makes the girls feel prettier!

I agree with Lildancer96. Actually the Senior Section winner in my opinion deserved it! Also she won the Junior Class two years ago so is probably already under the ISTD radar. I also disagree that festivals are always looking for tricks and gymnastics as my daughter's festival modern solo is not a bit like that - very lyrical in fact and she has done very well with it - it's all down to the judges at the end of the day - but I have to say everyone who was on that stage yesterday deserved to be there. We didn't watch the Juniors - can anyone fill me in on names?

Best wishes to all the finalists for tomorrow. We are looking forward to a lovely day out watching some amazing dancers. DD's duet partner dancing in Seniors and two other girls from our dance school dancing in the Premier Section! Plus loads of other dd's festival friends from all round the country also competing!

From past experience you can usually get tickets on the day for the sections you want to watch - the busiest sections of course are the groups and the Bloomsbury Theatre is smaller I think than the Peacock Theatre which has been the previous venue - so not sure but it would be very disappointing to get your child to the theatre only to find you can't actually watch them. We have finally booked 10 nights in Majorca before the schools break up as what with not knowing the timetable for this and then 16 days of National Youth Ballet it was our only chance of a well needed family break!

We laughed about booking a private carriage on Central Line Underground to carry 20 tutus to get to finals - especially if we are scheduled early in the day and have to travel down in rush hour - imagine the squash! We are coming from the Herts/Essex border but tutus are hard to travel with!

Another long day but DD's Senior Modern Group - 15 and Under through to finals today. DD very disappointed that her duet didn't get through. They have danced it at 5 different festivals and won it every time - they were up against all the old competition as well! A bit random! It has been a long tiring week and the house is a mess and there is soooo much washing to be done. Fingers crossed for a sunny weekend so I can get it on the washing line!

We had 32 in our modern section 11/12 years - why they just didn't split it age 11 and age 12 I don't know. Instead they danced in two mixed sections and 4 went through to finals. The standard and talent was amazing - but very tough on the younger ones - especially as the way the age categories work some in the section are now 13+ years. Very pleased the dd's classical ballet group Senior A - 15 years and under is through to Finals this afternoon! Modern Groups tomorrow. I think it has been really tough this year but the finals will be amazing!

I too am confused at the sizing. My dd had a childs Medium leotard 2 years ago age 11 which is now far too small - looking at the size charts the child Large is bigger that the Ladies Small! I am reallly not sure that to do! Definately worth getting a fleece as they do wear them alot during the day between classes and rehersals.

Yes you will get a detailed kit and bedding list nearer the time. The children also have the opportunity to take part in the choreograhphic competition and many do solos, duets or little groups and the parents get to watch in the theatre at Tring. They also have themed party/disco one evening which they get to dress up for! The will have a wonderful time. So happy to hear of all the yeses on here!

The audition final result letters are out! My dd recieved a yes for main cast this morning and is absolutely thrilled. She will have a fabulous time at summer school and it will be such as wonderful experience for her. Fingers crossed for everyone who is waiting to here - shouldn't be long now!

I bought my dd a Bloch loose all in one called Tendu size 8 - 10. Never worn and with tags still in. It is black teeshirt fabric It has draw string staps round the ankles and straight across the bustline. Is £10 reasonable - should i be in the things for sale section?

Just been looking at the facebook page spannerandpony. Lots of lovely pictures, faces I recognise and winners and runners up in all sections from our dance school! - such well deserved recognition for the teachers and the kids. My dd missed it sadly as was at National Youth Ballet Finals. However funnily enough i've had an email this eve from dd's teacher inviting her to do the MIDLANDS RAD AWARDS day in June. I think this is to appease her and although it is a trek I think we will do it. However Classes 3 and 4 are combined so from Grade 6 - Advanced 2 with one winner although 3 class awards for the seperate classes, musicality, port de bras and allegro. Massive age range and ability but a wonderful opportunity - it kind of looks like the Margaret Brockway Awards Day last year! Again it seems your teacher has to put you forward. Our teacher is putting forward quite a few!

My dd said exactly the same - hardly any dancing. She is a tall mature looking just 13 year old and was one of the last out! Not very enthusiastically I must add and was quiet on the way home! I didn't ask her much and am dreading the letter as I know how much she would love the chance to have summer school at Tring with her friends. I too am beginning to look for a holiday as something to focus on!

If you go onto NYB facebook page to the middle of april there is a lovely video clip about NYB including footage of VE day - you may see yourself!! Unfortunately for some unknow reason I still can't get the NBY website up on my computer!

Your RAD ballet teacher should have the details - I think they choose if they want to enter students or not but I think it has to be done through the teacher. My dd did the Margaret Brockaway RAD awards day in Birmingham this time last year. Unfortunately she wasn't eligible to enter last sunday's comp as her teacher wanted to enter her in the interfoundation/foundation vocational class and she hadn't received her exam results. She got them tonight as is very pleased with her result. DD's very good friend from dancing won a scholarship on sunday! She is a fab little dancer! There is another one this weekend in Brentwood - Catherine Blellock scholarship day for which dd's teacher has entered some students but unfortunately dd has her National Youth Ballet call back audition on Sunday so can't do that one either!. Apparently the RAD ran alot of these award days in the past and are now trying to resurect them!

I have been following this thread with interest. I don't very often post on here but felt having a daughter who has done NYB for a couple of years I would share our experiences! She first audtioned 5 years ago aged 8 on the advice of her ballet teacher who is actually involved with NYB. Despite making it to call backs and hanging around all day doing very little dancing she sadly wasn't offered a place! She successfuly went back the following three years as a JA. We live an hour away from Tring although there were several other friends from our ballet school also JA's so we managed to share the driving. Days were long and lots of hanging around and only very small parts offered to the girls. Last year she applied again age 12 - desperate to have 10 days away boarding at Tring Park with her friends - but didn't even make it to the recalls. It is VERY definately down to whether your face and the costumes fit on top of being a fantastic dancer with the ability to perform! Competition for places is very tough indeed! She was very upset but gritted her teeth and tried again this year and has been invited back next Sunday and again we have no idea what to expect! I can conifrm that some of the girls at the JA audition yesterday were older than 12. If there is a petit 15 year old with talent they will be cast as a main part in the JA ballet. Photo calls are usually for soloists and the panel will already have a very good idea of who is being cast as what especially as they know alot of the dancers from previous years! Final offer letters can either be 2 days after audition or two weeks. Dancers who auditioned on Sunday may well hear this week. We are trying to plan our summer holiday but can't do anthing until we know the outcome and also awaiting results of ALL ENGLAND DANCE regional finals as if dd is successful that is the first week of the school holidays. Semi finals are not until half term though so all our plans on hold at the moment. NYB is a really lovely experience and my dd made loads of friends and can say she has danced on the stage at the London Palladium and Sadlers Wells! Goood luck to all auditioning on Sunday and awaiting results x

It hasn't worked for me for over a week - try looking at their facebook page if you can!

Younger one's have definately boarded before. My dd's 3 friends who auditioned on 3rd Feb have all had re-calls. Well done to them x

Not at all - I know of a lot of children who aren't RBS associates to get places and they certainly don't always give places to associates as priority. Obviously children who are currently at the RBS most don't chose to do summer school as they are there all year anyway and want to go home. However, keen vocational dancers from other schools will certainly get places! An older girl from our local school has done the course 3 years running - dd's best friend applied last year but was unsuccessful - fingers crossed for her this year! xx

Flowerdew - where they at Welwyn by any chance?

There are a lot of children who get "main parts" who are vocational children. My dd isn't vocational but was successful two years running for Junior Associates. However had a massive growth spurt last year and looked 12/13 - they are looking for performance skills which she has but also very hot on technique. She was 11 and obviously couldn't compete technique wise with the 13 year olds. However if they see something special they will try to fit you in! My dd would love to dance as a career but simply isn't interested going to vocational school until at least 16. Her main local school ballet teacher is the NYB ballet mistress (not sure how much input she has into the final selection process) but she has suggested she audtioned again this year. She did last year but DD unsuccessful! DD is desperate to have two weeks away at a summer school as we can't commit to a holiday abroad as ALL ENGLAND DANCE FINALS loming as well. Go for it - they love the little ones if they have the cute factor! 90 plus parts but at least double that audition. I All i can say is really smile and try to perform! x

You either love them or not - I have bought my dd the capezio ones for her modern festival duet (her partner loves them) my dd said they hindered and didn't help her performance. Guess it depends on the floor/stage you are working on!