Jazzpaws

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Any wonderful, embarrassing, 'oh!', learning, etc moments?

 

I remember once where foolishly, I didn't tie my ribbons properly and some time into the performance my ribbons untied themselves! I was embarrassed at the moment (I think - it was in Year 9 whereas I'm now in Year 11 so quite a while ago) but not for the whole performance.

 

Any other memorable moments?

Same thing happened to DD a few years ago during her school's show. She managed to wriggle her foot free and put in a graceful kick, sending the shoe flying into the wings lol

Thing is , there can be all the criteria in the world but then something can be seen that they really like in someone that doesn't tick all the boxes. That certain something is elusive and can't really be defined, annoying though that is x

I'm far from the expert, but if DC's think this is a requirement it may encourage them to force hyperextension, especially in younger DC's, which could possibly be damaging and cause injuries. DD's wonderful ballet teacher was totally against this - she always said that you have your knees for the rest of your life after all.

Funnily enough DD and I just tried it and my knees touched the wall with ease, whereas hers were just slightly off - she has slight swayback, but very long legs (inside leg 35") - oh dear, yet more pressure for the kids 

Er... what? That's a new one on me (and dd too who says she's never been asked to do that, ever).

Same with my DD - she was also an SA and wasn't asked to do that in her audition x

Thanks for the info Jazzpaws it's nice to get some information on this , DD's dance school doesn't actively promote Northern Ballet I don't think the teacher likes them as says they have funny teaching methods xx

This CAT scheme is excellent - if your DD's dance school has any worries, I am sure they will be more than happy to answer any queries x

Yes the CAT scheme looks really good, we are only a couple of miles away, she's never done contemporary, I think she might enjoy it though, thanks so much and I will keep you posted on how we get on xxx

DD hadn't done contemporary before she started on the CAT scheme so don't worry. From what I've seen, companies are looking for strong ballet and contemporary technique now, so a good thing to take on more kill in this tough world. Good luck xx

Snowflake I'm so sorry for your DD - if it's any consolation mine was also devastated , we have been offered inter associates and Centre Of Advanced Training otherwise known as CAT at The Northern Ballet in Leeds from September , though I have absolutely no clue if they are any good or how many are in the classes. Maybe you should call them if it's an option they seem really friendly , all the best to you and your DD xx

My DD was at Dance East CAT before she started at Central and it was excellent and so supportive. The Northern Ballet CAT is very good, I couldn't recommend that highly enough - they have a past student who successfully got a place at RBS upper school around 3 years ago  x

What about Grandmothers lol

I can remember becoming very fiery and shocked when I first watched my grandson play wheelchair basketball - it's very noisy and lots of banging of chairs ! My daughter silenced me (as they do) saying that it's what the game is like, which it is and he is just the same.

Would love to be a dancing Grandmother, but she loves football too much, for now ......

This forum is invaluable as a means of support, a rant, sharing news and learning lots of tips.

To be honest if peoples comments/news sharing/giving support irritated me then I just wouldn't go on here.

You are right Proudmum, so have I - the very few horrid ones stick in the mind unfortunately. I can understand it more during auditions as it the most horrendously stressful time - but festivals should only ever be fun and a chance to perform solo or in groups and to receive constructive comments from the adjudicator.

Fortunately most mums are lovely people who just want the best for their DC's BUT the others are awful. Sometimes there are DC's who are in every dance(shows and festivals) and always have their position at the front in the middle but they are not always the best dancers, which does dishearten others. A couple of years after DD had moved to a more dedicated ballet school (no festivals ), had been through her associate programmes and started at vocational upper school I happened to bump into the mother of a dancer that was always centre stage at the local supermarket. She was gushing about how well DD had done and how she had got where she is through sheer hard work because it wasn't as though she had any natural talent - after all, her DD would have been accepted at any vocational school she chose if she had applied. I thought it best to say that I was so pleased her DD is enjoying what she is doing and walk away - they do say she who laughs last laughs longest lol

As DD's time in vocational school goes by, I really can't help but look forward to the next step. There seems to be a lot of apprenticeships/junior ballet company courses available (quite expensive), plus the opportunity to do a MA.

There is quite a lot of feedback from upper schools about student destinations, but it would be really nice to know what happens to students after they have completed these post graduate courses - is there anything published ?

#does the stress ever stop

Remember it well (and the stress) DD was fortunate enough to get an upper school place and is loving every moment - but the next step (dreaded job word) seems even harder - and so we go on - good luck to all x

It is indeed very hard - my grandson is a bilateral amputee (born without tibias) and is due for further surgery this summer. He is fantastic at wheelchair basketball and training for the Junior GB squad.

Better prosthetics are available when they are fully grown (doesn't everything always come down to cost), but the fact that this prosthetic pointe shoe was made is really inspiring !

I watch with interest the advances that have been made with war amputees, which gives me hope for better prosthetics for my grandson in the future although it's very sad that tragedy has brought about these advances .

From what I understand it is a bridge between school and company (perhaps a bit like the Northern Ballet Apprenticeship programme?)

That's what I understand Kat, in that fees are involved, so not a contract as such x

Thanks Miracle - it does have to be paid for doesn't it as on the website fees are mentioned (9950 CHF) ? To me a contract is paid work - finding it a bit unclear x

Such a shame that Central don't break up till 31st July this year ! He is however doing an Easter workshop at The Place

I've noticed that Cinevox Junior Company are auditioning for 2016/2017 season. Have looked on the site for information about fees etc and saw 9'950 CHF for the year, which I'm taking to be Swiss Francs and around £7,000, plus 400CHF per month for boarding - does this sound about right, if anyone knows? Scholarships are also mentioned. I have sent an email asking these questions, but the address did look a bit funny.

I'm just looking ahead as all this is new to me, and wondered if anyone could share any thoughts about the company ?

I would advise you to look at the school's websites, as there; lot of information there about the school, funding etc. Also talk to your daughter' dance teacher as she may have ideas about where she'd fit best. May be a good idea to think about a summer school this year as there is still time to apply for some.

Why not try for as many auditions as you can possibly get to, after all there's nothing like doing the audition to get a proper feel of the place.

Hate to say, but there are always lots of very talented applicants so always a good idea to have Plan B, there are opportunities at age 18, Central does take 18 year olds, plus there are the contemporary dance schools, musical theatre schools, dance courses and London Studio Centre (who I believe look favourably on a Dance A level), plus lots more options

Good luck x

I have no experience of lower school auditions but DD was a RBS SA (we didn't even think about dress code)

I would think that it is all about the dancing, they are not seen by the panel until they go into the audition, so it's not assessed on the best dressed. If I were you, I would stuck with the tracksuit and keep him relaxed

Good luck x

Thanks for all your tips, she is trying freederm at the moment (plus I have an aloe plant in the bathroom so can't hurt to try). I suppose it is just age related spots a GP only offered the cream and it isn't everywhere. The sweating doesn't help at all - I have bought a load of flannels to be used once only as a towel and then laundered so no germs are spread x

DD has a problem with some facial blemishes at the moment. She would kill me if she knew I was mentioning this, so good job she doesn't go on here (if anyone knows her, please protect my guilty secret). Good job they don't see some of these things !

She has some cream from the GP, which probably takes a while to work and it dries out her skin. He said it was just her age, which I'm sure is correct, but doesn't make it any easier, 

Just after some advice really and the miracle cure which I'm sure doesn't exist. Even wondered if the pill would help.

It's very frustrating for her 

My dd has been keeping an eye on the photos of the current graduate year for ideas of what seems to be the preferred choice regarding leotards. She has also been eyeing up the various brands in case she sees something she thinks is perfect.

I'm trying to pretend it isn't happening!

Scary isn't it - the thought of the net lot of stress 

Reading all the vocational school audition news has made me think about DD's next step. She'll be in her 3rd year come September (going far too quickly) so will need to think about auditions, CV photo shoot and videos. I thought it may be a good idea to keep a lookout for suitable leotards early on. I'm guessing leotards will be plain coloured and fairly simple but with a bit more detail on than for upper school auditions ??

Can anyone help (although I'm sure she will have her own ideas and there will be plenty of advice from the school) ?

It did take a while to find  'the one' for upper school auditions 

It was 2014 but from memory, DD didn't do solo again at Tring - some had physio (DD didn't but did get a funded place). Central definitely had phsio and I think Elmhurst did. Make sure to buy an open train ticket for Central finals as some had call back at the end of the day, so I was really glad that I hadn't booked a specific train. Try and relax and enjoy the day (easier said than done) and it's best not to think that having physio or being called back etc means a place will be given or not as it can be very random. Good luck to all and the results do come out fairly quickly  

Here's another :

http://www.thechelmsfordballetcompany.co.uk/auditions/