Flexible Fred Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Hello me again I have to say I am very concerned about my Dd applying for upper school and managing her expectations is a big concern of mine I want her to follow her dream , of course I do By like every dad I want to protect her and would hate to see her upset and disappointed How I wish I could see into the future Any stories of non vocational students getting a sixth form place or this pretty much unheard of ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taximom Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 A young friend of mine went to Central, he was an SA before that, did well at the Genee and has been with Scottish Ballet for a couple of years now. He went to a very very good local stage school with a good reputation, which is what is needed to be successful at Upper School auditions! Heather Aka Taximom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pud Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 I know of 9 non vocational students starting 6th form vocational school this summer. All attended an associate class once a week alongside very good local dance schools. There is a huge amount of competition from all over the world but you have to let them try. If they are determined they will get over a few knock backs. My dd has had a few rejections along the way. How she coped with them will provide a couple of good paragraphs on her personal statement I think!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Not unheard of at all - my dd and at least 10 others we know all non-vocational and all starting 6th-form training this year. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat09 Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 My DD was non vocational and is just starting 2nd year at US … totally possible, good luck to your DD 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circe Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Plenty of non vocational girls get into vocational sixth form. Most that I have come across do a combination of good quality local classes, associates, summer schools and one off masterclasses so it can be quite a jigsaw puzzle to get access to good training and to keep benchmarking progress but definitely worth a shot. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletqs Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We have at least one non vocational get into an Upper school or dance college with a Dada every year. Our students do not attend associates. It is definitely possible and she has just a good a chance as any. Sometimes they are better being unknown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexible Fred Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Thankyou all for replying I guess there are just no guarantee's are there Will let her apply , wait for the verdicts and offer her my continued support Such a hard dream to follow with so much competition and don't get me started on the funding issue! Absolutely no idea how I will fund her dream if she is offered a place even with funding it's still a huge amount of money to find. I will be in debt til I am a OAP On saying that the joy of ballet has enriched all of our lives and have no regrets 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guesty Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Definitely! My DD was at local school and an associate class. She is now in her third year at Tring. It happens so go for the dream whatever that maybe. Good luck on the adventure and keep us in touch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 A friends daughter got into RBS upper school and did not go to vocational school. She was also offered ENB and Elmhurst. She was also an associate but also got herself a very good ex RBS teacher for private lessons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilac Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Just wondering, how do you go about getting a private teacher of that calibre! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balletmum4ever Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Would also be interested to know how you find great private teachers! My DDs dance school struggle to accommodate privates in term time due to studio time and existing teaching commitments. Holidays are easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovetoDance2003 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Lilac, I'm not sure where you live but I know of an ex ENB soloist in the Staffordahire area who offers private lessons. PM me if what further info ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 We found a great teacher by word of mouth & attending a workshop but it involved travelling to Birmingham. Recently dd attended a one off workshop with the teacher lovetodance2003 mentions & again found out that she does privates though we havnt arranged anything - yet Keep your eye out for the kind of calibre teacher who runs this type of workshop as often they go hand in hand with privates. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Flexible Fred what a wonderfully supportive dad you are! Because of this I'm sure your DD will come through somehow even if she does not end up with her dream ......which is not at all impossible by the way! My dad just said "waste of time ...just concentrate on your school work!! Your DD is very lucky. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 That was my parents attitude too, Lin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexible Fred Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Thankyou Lin I do try my best to support her, yes I lose sleep about the financial side to ballet training and then whilst I'm sitting at my desk doing my very boring job I think to myself...well how fabulous would it be to dance for a living, to live that dream and live each day like you are in ' The Kids from Fame ' ( showing my age) I jest but you all know what I mean , must be lovely to have a passion for an art like dance , drama music etc Do not want my little girl to have regrets in life. I say little but she is 15! Love her to bits and just want her to be happy Ballet makes her happy Onwards and upwards I say 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GillyM Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 I feel like that about my son. If he isn't able to make a living from doing what he loves, it won't be because his Mum and Dad didn't think he could! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katymac Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 My DD started a three year diploma in Musical Theatre yesterday; but she did the pre-voc last year. She came home after the first day to say how wonderful it was to not only be 'allowed' to sing and dance all day, but to be 'required' to It was a dream come true for her. I have to say I was glad she did the pre-voc as I was a little concerned about the level of work and commitment required & thought a 1 year course would be easier to 'write off' if it all went pear-shaped & she hated it - but tbh she has gone from strength to strength! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Fred, if your dd doesn't do the auditions, do you think that in years to come she might always be wondering 'What if?' 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primrose Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 My daughter went to a lady in Birmingham. Ex company BRB teacher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 given that there are so many more places to study ballet and dance post 16 than pre 16, I think there are probably more students coming from non vocational schools than the vocational schools (where student numbers for years 7-11 are very limited). Its not to say that competition is not fierce because it is for EVERY school and I know that every year there are disappointed children that do not get a place at any of the schools, let alone their school of choice. My advice is to do your homework, both with and independently of your DD. Use the internet to research options for plan A, B and C. At your DD's age my eldest was very ballet focussed and had little experience in other dance styles. Her dance school was small and she had done some modern but nothing else. As we researched and she became aware of the range of courses/schools available post 16 - classical ballet - level 6 dance diploma (at least 2 dance styles)- musical theatre, she decided she just wanted to dance - so classical ballet school and dance diploma courses (definitely not musical theatre as did not want to sing). Next consideration was if she wanted to do A levels alongside - she did - so that limited her options at 16. So her plan A was to audition in year 11 for classical ballet schools and schools where she could do A levels alongside the diploma. Plan B was to do her A levels and then apply to as many places for dance as possible. In our area there was no suitable btec for 16-18 year olds so she did not consider that. Alongside all that, we, as parents looked at the finances too, of course, but the system changed the year after DD started so our experiences are not valid now. Our research was internet, open days or taster days at schools and MoveIt in London (though not all exhibit there). DD had about 10 hours ballet a week - a combination of local school, supplementing classes at a school an hour away, RAD associates, summer schools and she got a funded place aged 16 at vocational school. She graduated this summer with her level 6 diploma, 2 A levels and her first professional dance contract. Is it classical ballet - no! Its for a cruise ship - but she is happy that she will get her dream of earning her living by dancing. She has changed since she was 15 - her expectations, her goals etc but all I ever wanted for her is to be happy and to be able to do what she loves. Choosing to audition was just the first step along the way. You just do not know what the future will hold. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Great post 2dancersmum 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Its the opportunities that you don't take that you regret later. This is our one life so make it the best you can. You know when your child is really really passionate to do something. Having also come from a 'anything non academic is a waste of time' environment it made me uneasy to begin with. But no subject choice or career is bullet proof these days and just because a job is dull no longer means its safe. Most people now expect to have 2 or 3 careers over the course of a working life so at least one of them should be something you love. I have no idea what the future holds for my dd, but then I would not want to predict where my non-d d will wind up either. So deep breath, all my money and apparently lots of wine and lets see what happens.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 My take on it is that you can study A'Levels at any age, providing your brain is willing and able - but you really need to be in full-time training for a career as a classical dancer by 16 or 18. I wanted my dd to get a good balanced bunch of GCSEs so that she has an academic backup (she actually did amazingly) but I never wanted her to say "you didn't let me try for my dream". 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexible Fred Posted September 8, 2015 Author Share Posted September 8, 2015 Taxi4ballet , definitely , I want her to be able to say she at least tried and gave it her best shot 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pups_mum Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 My take on it is that you can study A'Levels at any age, providing your brain is willing and able - but you really need to be in full-time training for a career as a classical dancer by 16 or 18. I wanted my dd to get a good balanced bunch of GCSEs so that she has an academic backup (she actually did amazingly) but I never wanted her to say "you didn't let me try for my dream". Absolutely. I have a relative who left school at 16, joined the military with O levels as his highest academic qualifications but has now got a Law degree and is studying for the Bar exams at present (in his mid 40s). Not easy by any means, but it does go to show that you don't have to be set in a career path at 16 or 18 and you can change and do other things later in life. I sometimes wish I'd been a bit more of a dreamer and a bit less "sensible" in my youth, but at least my sensible career provides the money for my children's dreams so I guess I did the right thing. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circe Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 I absolutely agree that it is good to pursue what it is that you want to do etc but I do think the stakes are higher than even a few years ago now that university fees are so high. It must make financing a career change extremely difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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