Jazzpaws

I have seen some people pull tights over most of the tap shoe, a bit like ice skaters do (not really sure how). I think if you have some kind of black trimming in the costume, even a small amount, then it couldn't be said that the shoes don't match, but I am certainly not the expert. However, he is a really nice adjudicator 

The adjudicator at our next festival is Geoff Lucas, he seems to be very MT based so not anticipating great results - still it will be enjoyed regardless.

DD has had Geoff Lucas (although she hasn't done festivals for a while) and did very well with him. He does look for strong technique, but I can remember him having a real thing about shoes. In tap numbers, he was really unhappy with lace up shoes being worn with a feminine/strappy/cabaret costume - he felt ladies tap shoes should be worn and lace ups worn with trousers etc. Mind you, that was around 4 years ago, perhaps he's had a change of heart 

Good luck to all waiting for ENB letters from last audition. DD has her audition on Saturday - yes, pass the vodka indeed lol

Have had an email today about DD's Elmhurst final. Evidently they have had so many applicants that they are putting on an extra afternoon of finals on the 12th March, with it seems at least 2 sessions on the 13th. Can't help wondering how many there will be. Oh well I was wondering whether the finals would be in one session - I certainly know the answer to that question now lol !

He did say that, and I thought that very fair. Although when I was waiting for DD at the end (she is ALWAYS the last one out), the ballet mistress came and spoke to a family who had travelled over from Poland. She said how well their DD had done and they would love to have her, she needed to perform more but they will definitely be seeing her again. I was not eavesdropping, they were standing right by me and I couldn't help but hear. Perhaps they made an exception because they had travelled so far. Anyway, DD had a lovely day and we will hear around mid Feb like everyone else 

Thanks The Quays - Tring on Thursday, then ENBS, RBS and Central , so all we can do is hope for the best x

DD has got Elmhurst finals , so a very happy house today !

Can anyone tell me what the finals day is like - are there groups or just one big final - just thinking about travel and maybe trying the train this time ?

DD has Elmhurst finals - that's a nice start to her audition journey !

Can anyone tell me what's involved in the final day - is it a whole day, or are they split into different groups ?

Might try the train this time !

I first started going to RAD classes about 7 years ago. In that time I've done the Intermediate exam. But from doing various other RAD classes I've noticed a change in RAD style, which I don't quite understand. I have been to a few RAD schools, so this is my observation.

 

I have been to non-RAD classes where it is consider correct that the working hip should not raise to get a higher extension in second, whether it is in grand battement or a develope, etc. However, I have noticed that it seems to be the trend to get your leg up as high as possible, no matter what the cost. Even if the student needs to raise his or her hips to get a higher leg, this seems to be considered okay. One teacher said that I was 'lazy' (a direct quote from her) because I did not kick my legs up as high as they could go, even though I did not have the strength to keep my hips square if I just 'kick my legs up as high as they can go'.

 

I have also heard of the 'advice' to take the upper back, back, in order to make room for the leg to go higher up the front, for example, in a develope devant. I was going a glisse devant with a rise (at the barre), which needed a hold of 2 counts. The placement, which works for me, is to think of the body growing forwards and up over the working foot on the rise. But I was told by the RAD teacher that my placement was wrong, that I should take the weight back instead. If I was doing this en pointe, surely I would fall off? And if I take my weight back, surely I would lose the hold I have in my centre muscles? And then surely leaning back while raising a leg devant does not make a very pleasant line?

 

I just wondered if these are actual changes RAD have made in teaching technique, or have I just happened to come across a particular interpretation of RAD technique from a few RAD teachers? Or is it just by chance I have come across teachers, whose methods do not suit me, and nothing to do with RAD technique?

 

Obviously, I don't want to argue with teachers in class, and I never have. To cut a long post short, I guess I am looking for advice on what to do or say when teachers insist I do something, which does not work for me at all.

DD's RAD teacher always teaches the girls to keep their hips square - she would rather see this than a high leg. Also, is DD is corrected about weight placement, it's always to bring weight forward and not back. I'm sure all teachers are different, I know we are very lucky to have DD's teacher, she is wonderful

My DD auditioned 2 years ago so things may have changed but I think not for the actual process.

First audition - letter sent either with a no or an offer for a place.  I have no idea if all those offered a place are invited to the funding audition or only a selected number.

After finals - letter (or phonecall) offers DADA and if you have not initially been offered a DADA you are placed on a waiting list.  At the finals they are obviously 'marked' as they are placed on a waiting list in order and you are able to ring up (they tell you when) to find out your position on the list.

 

Jazzpaws - you can accept a DADA offer from as many schools as you like before making your final decision.  I believe Tring ask for a deposit as confirmation but the year DD applied finals for Tring were in March and the deadline for deposit/confirmation of acceptance was June.

 

It is actually that period immediately after the finals that there is most uncertainty as there is a lot of movement.  Obviously one person might have several DADAs and once they have made their mind up, schools they have turned down will then be offering the DADA to the next person on their waiting list.  And of course someone else might have a DADA at one school but prefer another where initially they are on the waiting list but then get offered a place at their preferred school so another DADA opens up there.  Its all very complicated.  If you are lucky you get a DADA straight off for your chosen school and its all straightforward as you are sorted straight away.  Otherwise it is a case of playing the waiting game.  Someone DD knew had 3 DADA offers but her favourite was a London dance college and finals/DADA offers were not done there until early May so she made no decision until she had the result from that one.

 

I hope this helps and is not too confusing.

Thank you for that

It sounds much more reasonable now !

More uncertainty after finals. Oh dear I thought it was bad enough now and we are only waiting for result of Elmhurst prelim at the moment. Think I need to chill out a bit lol x

Thanks Guesty, I think it's so important to do all the auditions without being rushed into a choice - bet you were glad when it was all over x

It would be nice to think that DD can finish her auditions and see what offers (if any) she gets before choosing - the Tring DADA audition is before the other finals, so is it a question of having to decide there and then ?

Best of luck to her Money Penny - what a nerve wracking process !!

Hi mum in a spin

DD 's audition is next Thursday at Tring - nice time, around 1pm so no battling through rush hour traffic - Birmingham was terrible around 8am!

I'm thinking about letting her enter for Phyllis Bedells Bursary, but will wait to hear if she gets RBS finals. There is also Genee Challenge and Young Dancer of the Year. Would quite like her to do one as they look nice, but need to find out what else she is doing before I go and bite off more than we can both chew - finals would have to take priority, but there is nothing certain there x

Can anyone give me an indication of how long it is between between prelim audition and finding out whether you have a place in finals, or Tring funding audition. I'm presuming that after finals it's quicker to find out if you have a place or not as there aren't so many being auditioned

So many things are close together, there's this, Phyllis Bedells Bursary (clashing with RBS finals), Young Dancer Of The Year, plus auditions and hopefully finals - not forgetting GCSE's ! Shame things aren't spread out a bit more to spread the expense  and to be less manic.

The closing date isn't until 28th, so if she doesn't get RBS finals, there may be time to enter. Bad planning isn't it !

Thanks Lildancer96 - well, no way they can both be done in the same day. What a shame !

DD's ballet teacher has asked her if she would like to take part in the Phyllis Bedells Bursary, which would be lovely BUT annoyingly  it's on the same day as finals for RBS !

Anyone else in the same position ? I'm not presuming she'll get to the finals at all, but if she does it's £72 wasted, which I can do without losing.

I have wondered if she could do both, but it starts at 1pm in Battersea, so she would have to be there earlier I would think - probably much too tight. Does anyone know what time the finals finish?

Why don't you phone Lucy, the manager and have a chat. She is incredibly supportive and approachable and I'm sure she would far rather discuss it with you than have you worrying x

I would far rather DD went at 18 - she's only applying at 16 because that seems to be when they want them for classical ballet. I she doesn't get a place, she will concentrate more on her contemporary (possibly modern and tap) and then try again at 18, when I think she'll be more ready to leave home

Because we would have to borrow money (student loan) instead of being given it (DADA); of course if she doesn't get a DADA then it would be OK as an option.  But LSC costs 9000 & we would only be able to borrow 6000 so it has drawbacks

 

Of course it will all come out in the wash over time & be all sorted

Hate to say, but it's even worse than that. Because it's a private institution, students can only borrow £6,000 AND the fee cap of £9,000 does not apply. In fact the fees are £12,950 - leaving £6,950 to be found for fees before living costs come into play !

So few even get into these schools, which is something DD has to face as she starts her auditions next week. Seems nothing is certain when they graduate either. There seem to be a few apprentices - am I right in thinking this is unpaid ? Did notice at least one is studying at university - would this be to get a teaching qualification, does anyone know ?

ENBS have just added another audition date - must be attracting record numbers of applicants.....

Just makes it even harder - Oh well got to go for it or she'll never know x

DD is going to Elmhurst on the 16th and Tring on the 30th - yes, sparky indeed !