Jazzpaws

Or it could just be that they know what they are looking for, but it could be different according to the student and using a broad term like potential doesn't commit them to any particular thing.

I did notice that ENBS offer an audition date for overseas student only on 21st March and then the finals are on 22nd March, so if students are travelling over for the audition at least it can all be done in one trip and not two

What you may have already noticed is that you see some of the same dancers at preliminary auditions for different schools.  Those offered finals won't necessarily be exactly the same people for each school, but in general I would expect those 50 you are talking about Jazzpaws to have been offered finals at several schools.

I agree with you on that - DD is applying for a few schools herself, I'm just wondering if these kind of figures are similar in the major schools ?

Seems to me the toughest thing is just to get a place in the final - around 400 and they take 50 is less than 15%. At least if you are fortunate enough to get a finals place there is around a 50% chance of being taken, not saying that's easy though.

Is it as bad at the other schools, does anyone know ?

Hi Pastel - it is possible that I am wrong on that - I think that is what she said, but it was a busy Q&A session and if you have been told otherwise, then I'm sure that is correct. I did hear correctly that Miss Saidi said the amount of previous training doesn't necessarily matter (thanks Kat09 for confirming that or I would doubt myself). The only thing I would say (probably wrongly), is that students have physical examinations in the final and I don't see how this can be done by DVD audition - but I am sure others know far more than me about this - good luck with your audition Pastel x

She did say that you had to be there in person for the finals. It's only at the finals that pointe work and a detailed physio examination is done, looking at things like hip turnout, scoliosis, foot arches, metatarsals and other technical things. they also do a summer school in America that is used for selection

Jazzpaws, did they specifically say the bit about vocational training versus two or three lessons a week or is that just your assumption following the comment about potential? I know that for yr 7 entry this is very much the case but assumed that for 6th form then they would be looking for students who are at least at the same standard as the current yr 11s in vocational training. I think that it is possible, by the way, that people can be that good on limited training, I just wondered what they had actually said!

I did hear it mum in a spin - I hadn't expected that at all !

DD had a lovely time at ENBS Audition Workshop yesterday. During Q&A time we were told they audition about 350 and re call around 50 for the finals - very tough ! and then they take about 30 into the school, hopefully half boys and girls.

What really surprised me was that we were told they are mainly looking for potential so it isn't crucial if anyone is doing vocational training or just 2-3 lessons per week. Does anyone know of anyone taken into full time post 16 training on 2-3 ballet lessons per week ?

Good luck and just enjoy your day !

DD successfully auditioned for SA 2 last year. It was the first audition she'd had at RBS. Lovely day, everyone was very relaxed and friendly - no pointe work, she wore soft blocks and a favourite leotard. Everyone else will be nervous too, don't forget that xx

DD had a wonderful time - Steven McRae was so kind to the girls (DD has a lovely photo) - said she learnt lots of tips from the classes - she came out like a furnace - poor old mums shivering outside

Hi can I just ask if when your applying for these auditions if you r accepted are you given a choice of audition dates ? My daughter will be auditioning next year and I'm worried about work etc

The earlier that you apply, the more choice that you have - some are on weekend days - RBS ENBS and Central, but then if DD is fortunate enough to get a final place, I don't think there is any choice there

Watched last Friday - very good 

Blowing hard here too - good old log burner  - love it 

The confirmation letter came today - 8th February 9.30am arrival for English National Ballet and 9th February  at 11.45 am, so it's safe to book    . Plus Elmhurst at 8.30 am on 16th January   which will mean an overnight stay too.Busy, expensive times - just hope it doesn't snow. 

Jazz paws have ENB confirmed that date for you yet, as a lot hadn't had any confirmations of dates on the forum yet. I think your daughter will be fine doing the two auditions back to back, good luck yo her.

Thanks Tulip - you are right,need to wait for the confirmation -  that's the date she selected, just me trying to be organised,( which is quite out of character ), did your DD do any back to back x

DD has applied for auditions at ENBS 8th Feb and RBS 9th Feb (hope this is a good idea to do them back to back). We live a 2 hour train ride from London, so it makes sense to stay overnight. Can anyone recommend a decent, reasonable hotel/travel lodge nearby? 

DD is an SA and got her application form through RBS - they are encouraging all to apply. Closing date is 27th January. seems a bit daunting to me, with auditions GCSE's etc and i would have thought more for vocational students. On the other hand, the experience of entering sounds like fun and she would like to have a go, just have to see if we can fit it in to this busy year. Has anyone else on here had experience of this ?

Has anyone done RBS upper summer school and stayed in an RBS hostel - if so would you tell me how much it costs, is there a weekend break or has anyone stayed elsewhere ?

It's brilliant - DD will watch it later after her class. Lovely to hear there is a 5'10" girl student there 

Thank's Spanner she has tried 2 pairs of Freed's, still just on the go - may be able to use wood hardener to make them last a little longer. She preferred the Bloch's to the Grishko's and they looked lovely, so will go back and have another look. I am wondering why there is prejudice against Gaynor's, is it just because they are a newer type of shoe ?

As I say, I'm no expert, but as long as she is using correct technique Jazzpaws, I wouldn't think you need to worry that the shoes are in anyway harmful to your DD. I would be a be inclined to stick with whatever she feels most happy and confident in myself. A friend of my DD got offers from a couple of reputable 6th forms after auditioning wearing GMs last year, so if there is prejudice against them, it obviously isn't universal. I would like to think that the people on audition panels are skillful enough to be able to tell if a student has the various factors that they require whatever shoes are on her feet anyway. Someone told my DD that she should get different shoes for her Advanced Foundation exam in the summer because "the examiner might not like them" but her teacher told her to stick wiyh what she was used to. Well she got a distinction, so clearly her choice of shoes didn't do that much harm.

Clearly there are people who disapprove of GMs and probably other more "hi tech" pointe shoes though. I do sometimes get the urge to remind people that GM in this context doesn't stand for "genetically modified" and that they are unlikely to be the cause of the downfall of civilisation as we know it ;-)

Thanks Pups-mum, DD also got a distinction for Advanced Foundation wearing the genetically modified shoes,ha ha

Perhaps they may gain approval as time goes on - we'll probably have another try in the Bloch shop again(they did look lovely on her fet) , as we are in the area every Saturday and then make a decision - certainly can't afford to buy shoes that only last a couple of weeks unless that winning lottery ticket comes up !

DD is RBS SA and her teacher hasn't said anything negative about Gaynor's, just to wear shoes that she is most comfortable in, but I have heard  negative comments from other associate schemes about them, just wonder if she should wear them for auditions

DD also kills shoes horribly quickly but found Grishkos lasted a reasonable period and wants to try the Bloch strong shanks as well. Freed Pros were dead very quickly and I understand that this is not unusual with Freeds on highly arched, strong feet. So far we have resisted trying Gaynors but may well do so at some point.

Thanks Legseleven, just wonder why you have resisted Gaynor's, if it's the cost, I have found them cheaper in the long run or is it because they seem frowned on ?

Thanks for the comments. Gaynor's are more expensive, but DD's shoes have lasted the year and have just died - RIP ! so they have been very economical in the long run ! I know what you mean Pups-mum but she does roll up through demi pointe with her Gaynor's - her teacher is very strict about that! Have also bought her 2 pairs of Freeds (fitted in their London Shop) because she loves their soft blocks and thought the second pair with the hard shank was better, but after 3 classes, they are going soft and she doesn't feel as stable on pointe.

So we went round the shops in London last Saturday - tried the Capezio's but no luck there, much too soft, even the fitter said they were not suitable, perhaps try when they bring out their hard shank shoe. She did like the hard shank Bloch shoes and the fitter was brilliant so that is a possibility. Tried the Grishko's - the Pro Flex would last about 1 lesson and she did prefer Bloch. She tried on a pair of Gaynor's with a wider platform and they did look nicer than her current pair that has a small platform and does look a bit pointy - agree with your DD Pups-mum, the other shoes do make her feet look so much nicer, might try the Bloch shoes as they looked lovely and see how she gets on with them (would hope they last a few lessons or I'll need a second mortgage !).

Or perhaps stick with the Gaynor's while she is auditioning as she is used to them and hope it doesn't go against her. Wonder if they are allowed to wear Gaynor's at college!

DD has Gaynor Minden pointe shoes and loves them. I must they they have lasted a long time and other makes break very quickly as she has strong feet. A bit worrying, because I hear people say that Gaynors do all the work for your feet and they do seem to be disliked by some associate scheme teachers. I 'm wondering if she should try other makes as well rather than become dependant on just one type of shoe and would Gaynors cause a bad impression at audition ?