Jazzpaws

I just wish that all the schools could somehow improve the systems and cut down on the dreadful waiting

It's far too stressful and really unfair that our very hardworking young people have to contend with this on top of the GCSE pressure

DD went to funding last year and got reserve list. She didn't get physio and as another girl that did get physio , her mother phoned them. She said there were different waiting lists and the more funding you needed the less likely you were to get a DADA

DD needed all the funding so I decided it was a lost cause. BUT a few weeks later DD got the DADA offer and the other girl didn't , so it's really best to just wait and see - easier said than done I know at this very stressful time

I also know of another girl who was on the waiting list that had a phone call fro principle offering her a fee waiver if they could just pay the boarding fees. Shows there's a bit of flexibility here and I guess Tring are looking at all kinds of scenarios

Last year Central also sent offers out in drubs and drabs. DD was lucky as she was in the first batch but some others waited what seemed like an eternity for theirs

Nail biting !!

This did happen with at least one girl last year who held on to a place until her GCSE results came out, but I would have thought deposits would have to be handed over at some stage .

A few years ago, when DD took RAD grade 2 or 3, there was a girl with mild autism who used to come to the classes with her cousin. She took the exam with the other girls and wasn't a distraction in any way, which I always felt was a remarkable achievement. The ballet teacher did inform the examiner (and had possibly informed RAD as well), but unfortunately this girl was failed. I felt this was very harsh as it was harder for her to take the exam than it was for the other girls to pass. She was presented with a special certificate that the principal made, which did soften the blow, but I really can't see how a low pass would have hurt. She didn't take any more exams.

Can someone tell me how long the finals at Central Sunday 29th will last? I try to sort out the travel .. I've tried to mail them but I do not get a reply.

Hi SBallerina

At DD's finals last year, some from both morning and afternoon session were called back for another session at the ens of the day. Didn't know that would happen, but I was very pleased we had a flexible train ticket !

Looking back, it would have been so much easier to leave DD's first school if her teacher was horrid or unreasonable, but the right decision was made and her first teacher is very pleased that DD has done so well (looking back is easy sometimes isn't it ).

Well, British winters are always a bit miserable and we haven't even had the prettiness of snow this year, but Spring is in the air now - bring it on     

DD was at a local school who mainly focused on their show and festivals until she was 13. She had a very wonderful elderly ballet teacher (83), but 1 lesson a week was just not enough. it was a hard decision to leave for both DD and her teacher, who we are very fond of, and we felt just awful about it ( many tears shed )

However, her next teacher, who is just amazing, saw her potential and brought her from just having passed RAD grade 5 to Advanced 2 in just over 2 years, plus seeing her successfully gain a place in RBS  SA2 and a full time place at Central - we are so thankful that we found her, and DD wouldn't be where she is today without her !!!

It was a very hard decision to make, but the right thing to do. We will always love her first teacher too as she certainly taught her to love ballet .

Art is the killer, we didn't realise how much coursework was involved !

It's probably OK in a lot of cases, but DD only had 1 evening a week off, with the weekend days full as well. She was probably an extreme case

DD put in two very last minute applications to Natalia Kremen Summer School and ENBS Summer School. She had a yes from Natalia Kremen yesterday and I think she will accept that one before waiting to hear from ENBS. She is looking forward to trying out the Russian style of training.

They look the same as the pair DD has - she is very pleased with them !

So be it

I think it's best to move on from this now and wish everyone's son's and daughter's the very best in finding the right school for them 

Not yet !!

Have you a link to share 

I am really pleased that your DD's auditions are going so well, and wish her all the very best. My DD was also a non vocational student, who also worked really hard.

I really wish you hadn't made that comment about body shape, saying your DD is 'a lot finer ' in comparison. In DD's year there are certainly some very tiny girls. I'm sure students are selected on their potential and how they will benefit from the school's training.

I wonder TillyJ if you might consider editing that comment out of your post, and Jazzpaws edit out your quote? It's really not an acceptable thing to say at all but particularly about teenagers who can be identified. It doesn't add anything to the points you're making about your audition experience.

I'm quite happy to edit out my quote , will just have to work out how

^^ Thank you I am very happy to say she has and her audition process is going extremely well. She is a non-vocational student who has worked extremely hard and she is already in the very fortunate position of having choices. I am sure there are those who feel my opinion of CSB is due to her not getting thru to their finals - I can assure you it is not. CSB was never one of her top choices, despite their reputation. Judging by the photos on display on audition day, I don't think she is the shape they possibly look for (?) My DD is a lot finer in comparison.

 

Obviously it would be ideal to even do a summer or easter course at every school you are thinking of applying to in the future but it is not always possible. Any experience at a school, even if only an audition gives most DC's a feel for the school and how they operate. It is therefore important how they treat their auditionees as this could well put them off a school as it did for us with CSB.........and quite a few others I have spoken to also.

I am really pleased that your DD's auditions are going so well, and wish her all the very best. My DD was also a non vocational student, who also worked really hard.

I really wish you hadn't made that comment about body shape, saying your DD is 'a lot finer ' in comparison. In DD's year there are certainly some very tiny girls. I'm sure students are selected on their potential and how they will benefit from the school's training.

I think you made the right move Regattah - your DD wants to know all her choices before she makes a decision. After all. there are plenty on the waiting list that would be over the moon to accept a place at a slightly different date.No harm is done by keeping your options open 

I have known girls enter contemporary sections at festivals without having had a single lesson. They had watched clips on youtube , made it up as they went along and then thought they were experts on contemporary dance without studying any of the many techniques ! I found some of these performances very strange.

DD studied contemporary when she joined her CAT scheme at 12, but it was alongside ballet classes and there were many sessions in class before any of it was put into their showcase. Not at all like the work I have seen at festivals. I do agree that contemporary performances are more for the older students with strong technique and training behind them, DD is building as much on her contemporary dance as her ballet now that she is at vocational school.

Doing well in festivals doesn't really have much bearing on whether a child will go on to vocational school or a career in dance. If the fun goes out of it, then it;s time to stop. What about trying groups instead as they can be so much fun, or doing ballet awards through RAD, ISTD etc. For performance opportunities, she could always audition for EYB or join a local amateur ballet company if you are lucky enough to have one in your area.The most important thing is that she enjoys it .

The auditions this year (and every year I would think, are when the students have started their break.There just aren't the facilities there to have auditions, parent tours and students in class, due to the nature of the building, which is why they offer tours at a later stage. Some that DD know were very critical of the old building, but we didn't bat an eyelid.What is important is the very high standard of training and support that each student receives. I just went down the road for a chat and coffee at Pret during auditions to soothe nerves !

DD is loving every moment and has certainly found the right school for her 

DD didn't struggle with pointe work at finals (she is at Central now) but she was working at Adv 2 level, She was non vocational, had done a couple of Wells Master Classes but no summer schools before entry. She was a RBS SA2 and was on a CAT scheme. What helped her most was having a wonderful ballet teacher who taught her so well. The last 2 years were manic - only 1 evening per week without ballet and many hours travelling as we are very rural.- didn't help the school work much, but she got where she wanted to be with lots of commitment and hard work. I really think that each school can see what it wants in a student and if someone cant do the pointe work that others can, the panel can look past that and at the students potential for the training they offer .

I had to pay £115 when DD joined Central

I would recommend  that you seek advice from your daughter's teacher if she is happy where she is. Also I feel that associate schemes and CAT schemes are a much better option than festival work

Well done !!

DD did festivals for a while until CAT scheme and Associates started.She had some lovely times, especially in the groups. However, just one mother started being competitive and sniping about everything which took the edge off the lovely supportive atmosphere that we had. They are only children after all and the most important thing is that they enjoy the experience, without pressure. Unfortunately, I think the festival scene can be a breeding ground for pushy mums who need to be muzzled !!!

I`ve just sent Sheila [Anjuli] a message on Facebook,telling her that people on here were asking after her and hoping she is well. I see from her Facebook page that she hasn`t been on there since November either.

I nearly pressed the 'like' button, but wrong thing to do, instead I would like to say thank you for sending the message - I think we all miss her words of wisdom, just hope she is OK