robin64

pointytoes, I am not sure if you are thinking of Swindon or Exeter but the Swindon Open Day was 9th May. However, you can apply for the audition online without going to the open day. You will need to bring passport sized photo (one or two of these) on the day of the audition. I guess if you post off your application you could include the photos with it. The second round includes a short solo so it might be worth thinking about that.

pointytoes, definitely give it a go. The staff at Swindon were friendly and I think it is a good experience to try the audition. There are quite a few clips from Swindon YDA on youtube. They are looking for potential so they might see what they want in you. From what I saw Swindon YDA is a high standard with students going on to further professional training. Good luck with it.

I think the Exeter CAT auditions are at Swindon. At Swindon you can choose contemporary or urban dance. First round for contemporary is 2 classes. Second round is class and 1 min solo with interview (not with parent present). Classes are fairly tough and you need to pick up choreography quickly. It is a good day though.

If you suffer from mouth ulcers you should avoid toothpaste that contains sodium lauryl sulphate (might not be the correct spelling). Most (but not all) sensodyne toothpastes don't have it in but check ingredients. DH used to suffer regularly until he came across this info and it has made a difference. Swe, I was really glad to read your DD's tests were ok.

If it is any help...My DD is 13 and doing inter foundation modern class and I don't think there is an issue with it not being age appropriate. She is enjoying it.

Happy to read this good news. Well done all. How exciting!

DD had a PE student come and do cheerleading with them at school last term. I heard of girls getting dropped on their heads!! I don't think it is a good idea, not sure there is enough expertise and experience to coach it properly. Luckily my DD is too tall to be thrown in the air but I wouldn't be happy with her doing it again. Kitschqueen - ouch! your poor DD.

One young auditionee who I think was 11 burst into tears after coming out at how tough the class was (re call audition) and I think she was a good dancer. DD was 12 then and it made her realise that these auditions are pretty rigorous. She has never done any of the vocational school auditions so this was pretty much her first audition experience. Made it to second round but not selected last time but will try again. I wouldn't be put off from trying if you have a younger DC but it is worth being aware that you might not be successful first time at 11. That said, I am glad DD went, she really enjoyed the classes and felt inspired. I guess it is worth checking the age range for the particular CAT you are interested in.

My DD is right handed but she says she has to really concentrate on left and right and sometimes gets it wrong. She has dyslexia and I think I have read that confusion with L and R can be associated with dyslexia so I think it is one of those things she will just have to work with. Has anyone else heard of this?

Anyone can audition in the first round then there is a second round which sometimes includes a solo (depends on which scheme). The standard is very high and I am not sure what other people think but although the scheme says 11 - 16 I don't think many 11 year olds make it through.

DD got the Y7 school record for long jump last summer, having never done it before! Down to years of dance I think. I don't think she has tried hurdles.

Which CAT scheme are you looking at? The Birmingham CAT open day was last weekend. Auditions are coming up.

My DD1 although not a dancer was having problems with tiredness and it turned out her stored iron levels were very low. This was discovered through having a blood test done so I would do this to help you rule anything out if it has been going on for some time and not a one off. I noticed a big difference after she started her iron course which is for 3 months. Dd1 is veggie (for about 3 years) and this and periods probably were the reason for this iron problem. She is a healthy weight and I put her tiredness down to being a teenager! DD2 who dances daily gets really hungry and quite often has dance straight from school so I am going to start using some of your snack advice Spanner.

My DD did an ENB workshop last summer and it was split into 2 groups so the more experienced/older dancers were together. It was based on "Strictly Gershwin" and was free!! It was lovely to go and DD enjoyed it.

GCSE and A level dance does involve performance and choreography. I have been to watch the exam performance pieces at DD's school because they always put together an evening to show them. The standard was high. We are lucky though because DD's school has a strong dance dept with a good studio. It is a state grammar school. DD chose it for the dance element because the school my eldest DD goes to doesn't offer dance. I think the advice to track down a course and see if there is a possibility to take it in a different school is good. Try and find out previous results though - schools and teachers do vary. If your DD is doing lots of dance outside school it might not be necessary to get the GCSE. Also if it is an added extra watch out for workload because certain GCSEs require quite a bit of course work (eldest is doing art and textiles) and yr 10 and 11 are homework heavy anyway without any extras.

Congratulations LB from me too. Nice for you to finally hear especially such good news. Good luck.

Sorry to hear that Karen. Hope your DD is ok. Good luck with the funding results.

As hard as rejection is, try to remember that the fact that your child has made it to a final will stand them in good stead for a dancing future. They obviously have the talent and physique to be dancers. The options are still there to audition next year or at 16, to audition for a CAT later this year perhaps or to try out some new dance styles....which ballet is the foundation for...so your DC will probably learn fast and shine. My DD loves dance and is a hard worker, but as glowlight says that is not enough if your feet or physique are not right. She still continues to work hard but had to put her White Lodge dreams away very early on. So dust yourselves down and look ahead. Remember your DCs are among the elite to get an audition at Elmhurst or WL. Some never get anywhere near. "So near and yet so far" is always a very hard place to be. I think it is probably most healthy not to look for blame but to move on as quickly as possible with the knowledge that you are really jolly good at ballet and can take the knocks involved with head held high.

Bancruptmum, you have such a great attitude, I am sure your DD will do really well. I hope she finds the right place at 16. Let's face it she will have grown so much in strength and character by her experience that she will show a future panel how resilient and determined she is to dance. I think that is a very attractive quality in a pupil and also counts for a lot in life. Your DD will appreciate a mum who has been there for her to pick up the pieces and stay positive. Wishing you both all the best and hope the GCSE's go well.

I think maybe it is best not to be cynical but realistic. My DD could be your example Anjuli - dedicated to dance from the age of 2 - starting with ballet and adding tap, jazz, contemporary and urban along the way. She is hard working and goes to dance lessons almost every day. She tries so so hard but exactly as you said..she has reached grade 6 and inter levels and it has become clear that her feet are just not right for pointe. In September she moved to a school which is very well respected with extremely knowledgeable staff and they looked at her carefully and kindly told us that DD will never make a classical ballet dancer and may not even be able to go for the more advanced exams. I thanked her teacher for her advice and DD was offered the chance to do more with her tap and modern. Although dd cried about not being able to achieve well in ballet, classical dance was not what she was aiming for in the long term so we could make plans to move forward and make the most of her talent in other dance and singing/drama. As your DD/DS gets older it is best to take the advice from those that have the experience to know. It is sometimes hard for the parent too, after all you have spent years encouraging and taxi-ing your DD but my advice is be positive - look for the best way forward. Don't dwell on negative feelings but spread the net and look at other creative experiences. I know other people's children have had major setbacks at vocational schools and changed school then had great success and I too would not give up in that situation but heart breaking though it may be, sometimes you need to listen and move on.I think most teachers try to be honest but don't want to hurt and by suggesting other options might be showing another route to creative success and fulfilment. Yes, some people do have great schools and teachers nearby, some people have the money to pay for training, some children just have the perfect physique and ability..it doesn't always seem fair but that is just the way it is. Very occasionally a supremely naturally talented youngster from a less than ideal situation will get spotted and make it but it is rare and for the rest of us it takes persistence and flexibility. It is especially hard for girls as the competition is fierce. I am not saying give up just listen to advice and be prepared to research your options.

Do make sure you get a RADAR key that lets you use the locked loos and you can get a special card that would allow DD to skip the queue if she needs to (eg at the theatre if queues are long). Your GP should be able to help you find out about this. I don't know what the vocational schools are like with medical issues but I am sure it is something they would discuss thoroughly with you.

You need to ask the doctors and consultant for advice on what they feel will be ok for your DD to do and whether she would be able to cope with training in the future. I am sure it will depend on the condition. We have a family member with Crohns and I do know it can take some management so follow advice.I think there is a good Crohns support group so you might try asking on their forum if there is one. Perhaps there might be someone who has been in a similar position with sports or dance training? Wishing you all the best.

Oh Thanks FelixGirl Your post has really cheered us up! DD is going to be dancing for 4 full days this half term in an urban dance project and is in a contemporary dance company. She has always enjoyed all types of dance but with ballet every week so I appreciate you sharing your experience. I am glad your DD has kept up her ballet and is taking her advanced exams, that is what DD would like to do. It is hard to realise that factors other than working hard and being dedicated can come into play..especially when they are beyond your control. My DD would love to go to Bird College! Some of the dancers and actors she met in panto were graduates from Bird and they were really lovely people and so nice to the young dancers too. Ever since then she has been hoping to apply there one day. Well done to your DD and thanks for the post, it will be so helpful for my DD to read it. Just wondered...is your DD able to get to Bird college daily or will she live away from home? I guess lots of children go off to vocational school but even 16 seems young to me! Good luck for the exams too. x

Thanks JulieW, I will try that site.I have looked at it before because my nephew does castings for tv and film. DD might do the Ballet Cymru summer dance school as it is not far and very reasonable. Interestingly, it is only after 2 terms at a new ballet school that I have had frank and useful advice for DD's ballet. She is working at grade 6/inter level (she is 13) so obviously from now on pointe becomes more and more important. With determination and work she will probably be able to do the exams but it will never be easy for her to achieve full pointe. Luckily for her she is a good tapper and picks up modern/jazz easily. We have now made the decision to move all lessons over to the new school which has high standards and very well qualified teachers. I can't help feeling sad for DD as she has shed a few tears about her feet! (I posted on the old forum about big feet!...she has the worst feet for ballet - big with long big toe and shallow arches. Something it was not possible to predict at 2 when she started!! Although DH is 6' 4 with size 12 feet!

Hi, I have finally signed up to the new forum and have been catching up with everyones news. Lots of auditions for all so well done and hugs to you all. I was wondering if anyone had had experience of NYMT plus there also seems to be a similar website called Youth Music Theatre (rather confusing!). It appears that these might involve quite an expense so I wanted to investigate further in case it is not a good idea. I read the other thread about looks and physique with interest..we have been advised that DD has just not got the right feet for ballet with shallow arches and quite inflexible ankles. This has really only come to the fore now she is 13 and doing more pointe (and finding it hard). After 10 years of weekly ballet lessons and hoping for a career in dance it has been a blow though luckily classical ballet was not her first choice. It is still hard though because she would like to continue with all her grades and has been working very very hard on her ballet over the last 2 years especially. DD enjoys lots of other dance and can sing so I have been looking at options. If anyone has thoughts on these music theatre summer schools could they post please (good and bad points) Got to dash but thanks.