Pointytoes22 Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 What were the lowest and highest grade/ability there do you think pippinpointe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PippinPointe Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Hi Pointytoes22 the students were definitely working at advanced level and the rep was also challenging. I don't mean advanced level in terms of a grade but in vocabulary and technique. When students take grades, vocational or otherwise, they always (or should) have more knowledge than just set exercises as there is so much more to achieving the level they are taking - having the strength to take on the challenges of new vocabulary, being more developed in musicality, to mention just a couple of things. Taking the exam is a snapshot of a huge amount of work - it doesn't show the whole picture - for example a student could have an off day with pirouettes or balance in adage and the result will tell a completely different story with the mark that is achieved than what you see when the dancer is stood in front of you. A level being studied is a broad and stimulating training, lots of free work etc, where as an exam syllabus is just that, an exam syllabus, showing highlights of, hopefully, much broader learning. What I'm trying to say is some students never take exams or not as we see them but train to advanced level. I'm not sure what grade you are, in exam terms pointytoes22, but I am pretty sure your learning will be beyond what the certificate will say. Whats on paper is a rough guide. I have rattled on a bit - sorry about that!!! Back to the point, the standard was high but I think thats to be expected because of it being the Royal 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 DS did Covent Garden SS even tho not yet 15 (although only a few months off to be fair). Btw he has no ballet exams since grade 2 aged 11 since he never took any after that (being on vaganova syllabus with someone who didn't do exams) so I guess acceptance completely on photos .. He stayed in an RBS hostel in Barons Court and absolutely loved that aspect of it- fantastic food, wonderful facilities, wonderful house mothers and really nice lads (mostly international- he was one of only 2 in his class from the UK). He loved the fun of being based in Covent Garden and the amazing Royal facilities (he and a mate happened to pass the scenery stage doors when they were open early one morning and sneaked in and had a dance around on the main stage much to the amusement of the props men). He said the general standard of the students was high in terms of potential but overall he was deeply unimpressed with the teaching as he said in his classes there was NO personal correction at all- all comments were generally aimed at the whole class. His key comment was 'how can I improve if I don't know exactly what I did wrong?'. Also he thought the corrections given were very woolly - not precise and technical enough. He said he worked hard (schedule was busy) and made some excellent friends, he enjoyed the contemporary which in the past he has hated so perhaps the teacher for that was particularly good and he quite liked the guest teacher..but I don't think he would want to go again- or at least not for the teaching... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PippinPointe Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 That is what is so useful about this forum - two different experiences of the same summer school. I think for summer schools its definitely worth applying to the ones that you would like to try and then if you get the opportunity to go, try them and then form your own opinion from your own personal experience. For my dd, she had lots of helpful corrections, very personal and had some fabulous teaching. Obviously boys and girls were separate so I can only comment on my dd's experience and for her, this was a totally positive experience and she would absolutely want to do it again 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 I suppose the only way to judge the summer school is if a lot of people say similar things. It is true that one summer school will suit one child but not another. It is good when you hit upon the right summer school though as they are so expensive aren't they, and we want our children to come away having learned something, made lots of friends and had fun. From attending summer schools over the years my daughter has made lots of friends there who she then went on to audition with. Some of these friends are going to Central with her and others will also be in London, so no doubt they will all be meeting up and socialising together. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 BRB have posted a short clip of Grosse Fugue, which was mentioned earlier in the thread: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted September 3, 2012 Author Share Posted September 3, 2012 Thanks for that Janet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huddsballetmum Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 My dd did Yorkshire Assembly summer school as a boarder which is reasonably priced and with exceptional teaching in both ballet and contemporary. The classes were grouped in ability based on their last ballet grade taken which meant that pretty much the children in class were all at a similar level. Boarding is in dorms, with rooms of 4 for the under 14's and rooms of 2 for the 14 & over and the venue is the beautiful Queen Margarets school at Escrick. My dd has been two years running and has found each year to be of great benefit, which has been backed up by very positive comments from her ballet teacher at her local dance school. It is really good value for money and a great experience for those who don't want to be away from home for too long as it is 4 days. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Swanprincess, applications won't be judged solely on your exam grade! It is current ability and potential that counts and you would be surprised what they can see just from the photographs. Having said that, you would be expected to be capable of dancing at that sort of level when you are there and I agree that you should talk to your teacher to see if she thinks that is possible! From another thread it seems that you have just done your grade 5 exam and if you aren't currently doing any vocational grade level classes as well you would find advanced one quite a leap! Does our school offer intermediate or intermediate foundation? Jellybeans... I started Ballet aged 11 and took my RAD grade 3 exam then. I am almost 15 now (Currently Year 10) and have not taken a graded examination since. (I've been based in a non-syllabus program due to the area I was living in) I am now living in the UK though, and will take my ISTD Intermediate examination in March. Would you say that I would be at an acceptable level, (and I know this is impossible for you to judge, seeing as how you don't know my physique/capability/potenial etc.), but based on my experience could I do the RBS SS in Covent Garden? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletla Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Jellybeans left the forum a while ago. From my experience, you would need to be working at Advance 1 level as a minimum to get the most out of RB summer school which it sounds like you will be after you take your Intermediate exam. Just apply and see if they offer you a place???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 Thank you Ribbons! I will... by the time summer come around I will (hopefully) be working at an ADV. 1 level. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 What about the Northern Ballet one in Leeds but for younger dancers? I think it's 12 to 15... Good enough for vocational kids used to dancing a lot? Any opinion would be appreciated... Ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 In case you haven't noticed, but are following this thread, Elmhurst are doing a sort ss for younger students this year. Can someone post a link to the thread (or I will later when I can get on a computer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 Here you are: http://www.elmhurstdance.co.uk/summer-school-1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maleballetdancer12 Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Hi was just wondering if anyone knows anything much about the American academy of ballet in New York director mignon furman? Or any personal experience on this summer school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie3 Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 What about the Northern Ballet one in Leeds but for younger dancers? I think it's 12 to 15... Good enough for vocational kids used to dancing a lot? Any opinion would be appreciated... Ta DD has attended the Easter course and would definitley recommend, assume Summer one is similar. Only downside is that it's non-residential, also if your dd is non-vocational or not attending an associate course they need to audition - which must be coming up soon. It's ran as part of their ballet CAT scheme, so standard is high - dd found it challenging, but really enjoyed it. Fantastic studios too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now