American teen relocating to London

[ReadyforCoffee]

Thank you so very much for all of this fantastic information.  You have given me much to research including schools I hadn't heard of like the London Russian Ballet School and Masters of Ballet Academy.  A quick peruse of their websites leaves me feeling hopeful that there is a good match for my DD.  I am also researching academic schools for all of my kids (triplets), so there is much work to do!

 

Our kids have been to London twice in the past year and their dad and I have been many times.  I am also enroled in my final year of the CertHE at Oxford, studying History.  This is not a move that we are taking on a whim.  Of course, there are many things that must align first.

 

Thank you also for your wise words about safety in London.  Your point is well-taken, particularly about taking care not to have our daughters travel alone, at least for a while.  

 

I must say that this past summer when we visited, we arrived on the same day as our president.  When our Embassy issued warnings to US travelers, I was concerned about possible fallout from the political climate we find ourselves in.  I am very happy to report that throughout our stay, we encountered the most friendly, welcoming people.  Sure, the conversation came up a few times once folks heard our American accent, but we were received warmly.   

 

Overwhelmingly, our conversations ended up with a declaration about how it is PEOPLE that matter, as it is ordinary people who make true connections, not necessarily our politicians.  After mass one Sunday the vicar, who framed his homily around his concern for the changing times, asked us sincere questions while still making sure we knew we were as welcome as anyone.  

 

And here... my question quickly resulted in a flood of very helpful information.  THANK YOU!

 

ReadyforCoffee

 

Edited September 5, 2018 by ReadyforCoffee
I must have pressed the Save key prematurely.

[Bethany Alice]

On 04/09/2018 at 06:29, ReadyforCoffee said:

Hi, everyone,

 

We might be relocating to London from the US next year for my husband's job and I am looking for recommendations for my my DD (15).  She currently attends a rigorous, competitive school in our town.  She is in their pre-professional program and trains 5-8 hours per day.  Many of the kids in this program do their schooling online as they dance during the day.

 

My DD attended the ENBS summer school this past summer and will audition for their year-round program but barring acceptance, she will need a new ballet home.  Her current school's style is mostly Vaganova with some Bournenville and a little Contemporary.  She is accustomed to training long hours.

 

I don't yet know what part of London we'll be in.  I am only just starting to research schools for my kids.  Moving half-way through high school is proving to be complicated as the school systems are quite different between the US and the UK.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good ballet school?  Are daytime programs available in the UK?  Has anyone made this move and can offer some advice?  

 

Many thanks!

 

ReadyforCoffee

 

The London Ballet Company School - http://www.thelondonballetcompany.com/tlbc-school/

[balletbean]

On 05/09/2018 at 07:29, ReadyforCoffee said:

Thank you so very much for all of this fantastic information.  You have given me much to research including schools I hadn't heard of like the London Russian Ballet School and Masters of Ballet Academy.  A quick peruse of their websites leaves me feeling hopeful that there is a good match for my DD.  I am also researching academic schools for all of my kids (triplets), so there is much work to do!

 

Our kids have been to London twice in the past year and their dad and I have been many times.  I am also enroled in my final year of the CertHE at Oxford, studying History.  This is not a move that we are taking on a whim.  Of course, there are many things that must align first.

 

Thank you also for your wise words about safety in London.  Your point is well-taken, particularly about taking care not to have our daughters travel alone, at least for a while.  

 

I must say that this past summer when we visited, we arrived on the same day as our president.  When our Embassy issued warnings to US travelers, I was concerned about possible fallout from the political climate we find ourselves in.  I am very happy to report that throughout our stay, we encountered the most friendly, welcoming people.  Sure, the conversation came up a few times once folks heard our American accent, but we were received warmly.   

 

Overwhelmingly, our conversations ended up with a declaration about how it is PEOPLE that matter, as it is ordinary people who make true connections, not necessarily our politicians.  After mass one Sunday the vicar, who framed his homily around his concern for the changing times, asked us sincere questions while still making sure we knew we were as welcome as anyone.  

 

And here... my question quickly resulted in a flood of very helpful information.  THANK YOU!

 

ReadyforCoffee

 

Masters....... have just reported high levels of graduate successes to RBS amongst many other US’s. 😊

[Pas de Quatre]

Masters is first class, and I would heartily recommend. Another Vaganova based school not yet mentioned is Natalia Kremen. 

 

 

[Soltova]

ReadyforCoffee - I am new on this board and found your thread because I am looking for a place for my daughter to train come January, or next fall. She is 16 and now in a pre-professional conservatory program and also doing highschool online (just switched over). I am curious what you ended up choosing.

[Coffeemum]

Danceworks Ballet Academy is a vocational, after school programme in London run by American trained Kim White. Fantastic faculty. Good luck! 

[Coffeemum]

https://danceworks.com/london/danceworks-ballet-academy/

 

 

[Jan McNulty]

Hello Soltova and welcome to the Forum!

[ReadyforCoffee]

Hi, Soltova,

 

Welcome to this fantastic board.  You will find the most supportive dancers and dance parents here.

 

We ended up remaining in the U.S. as it was too difficult to align the academic school options for all three of my girls.  My non-dancer daughters (they are triplets) would have found it difficult to prepare for GCSEs in only a matter of months.  My dancer daughter could have remained in her online academic school but her sisters wanted to attend a traditional school and we couldn't find any affordable options for them other than taking the GCSEs.  If they had been a bit younger they could have prepared for it but not at age 16. 

 

My dancer daughter was still able to attend the ENBS summer intensive and now wants to audition for the year-round program after she finishes high school.  

 

I wish you great success and synchronicity as you pursue this exciting path!  

 

ReadyforCoffee

[Peanut68]

Triplets - wow!!! 

Congratulations on raising 3 daughters & best of luck to your dancer in the family!

Am sure if I were you I’d be called

Readyforsomethingstrongerthancoffee! 

🍸

[Lusodancer]

ReadyforCoffee - I am new on this board and found your thread because I am looking for a place for my daughter to train come January, or next fall. She is 16 and now in a pre-professional conservatory program and also doing highschool online (just switched over). I am curious what you ended up choosing.

Hi Soltova,

 

Are you specifically looking at London ? If your daughter is in home education under the High School system of the US, then you would have other independent  institutions outside of London offering vocational training courses with a variety of different methodologies, goals and qualifications  for considerably less than London prices . My daughter is currently in one in the Midlands and it costs me much less than is quoted above. She does full time vocational training , principally aiming at ballet as a career and does home tutoring in academic subjects. I pay lodgings with a local family as she is 16 now (but started at 15), but some of her colleagues are already living independently sharing accommodation.MY DD has been in a specialist vocational school since age 11 and has swapped a baccalaureate style European education with dance included at Junior High level for the High School, British A levels, but she is bilingual so has coped with the transition.  

 

What are the long term aims/goals/ strengths of your DC? Ballet; contemporary;  jazz/ showdance/ musical theatre? Because different institutions have mixed teaching but different outputs into  the professional arena. So it is important to analyse the the potential to meet the aim  before exploring the professional courses available. 

[TwoLeftFeet]

13 hours ago, Lusodancer said:

ReadyforCoffee - I am new on this board and found your thread because I am looking for a place for my daughter to train come January, or next fall. She is 16 and now in a pre-professional conservatory program and also doing highschool online (just switched over). I am curious what you ended up choosing.

Hi Soltova,

 

Are you specifically looking at London ? If your daughter is in home education under the High School system of the US, then you would have other independent  institutions outside of London offering vocational training courses with a variety of different methodologies, goals and qualifications  for considerably less than London prices . My daughter is currently in one in the Midlands and it costs me much less than is quoted above. She does full time vocational training , principally aiming at ballet as a career and does home tutoring in academic subjects. I pay lodgings with a local family as she is 16 now (but started at 15), but some of her colleagues are already living independently sharing accommodation.MY DD has been in a specialist vocational school since age 11 and has swapped a baccalaureate style European education with dance included at Junior High level for the High School, British A levels, but she is bilingual so has coped with the transition.  

 

What are the long term aims/goals/ strengths of your DC? Ballet; contemporary;  jazz/ showdance/ musical theatre? Because different institutions have mixed teaching but different outputs into  the professional arena. So it is important to analyse the the potential to meet the aim  before exploring the professional courses available. 

Hi Lusodancer - I've sent you a pm

[Soltova]

On 09/09/2019 at 11:35, Jan McNulty said:

Hello Soltova and welcome to the Forum!

Thanks! I only now realised that I got so many fantastic responses - I am now going to take a look at them in turn!

[Soltova]

On 11/09/2019 at 15:22, Lusodancer said:

ReadyforCoffee - I am new on this board and found your thread because I am looking for a place for my daughter to train come January, or next fall. She is 16 and now in a pre-professional conservatory program and also doing highschool online (just switched over). I am curious what you ended up choosing.

Hi Soltova,

 

Are you specifically looking at London ? If your daughter is in home education under the High School system of the US, then you would have other independent  institutions outside of London offering vocational training courses with a variety of different methodologies, goals and qualifications  for considerably less than London prices . My daughter is currently in one in the Midlands and it costs me much less than is quoted above. She does full time vocational training , principally aiming at ballet as a career and does home tutoring in academic subjects. I pay lodgings with a local family as she is 16 now (but started at 15), but some of her colleagues are already living independently sharing accommodation.MY DD has been in a specialist vocational school since age 11 and has swapped a baccalaureate style European education with dance included at Junior High level for the High School, British A levels, but she is bilingual so has coped with the transition.  

 

What are the long term aims/goals/ strengths of your DC? Ballet; contemporary;  jazz/ showdance/ musical theatre? Because different institutions have mixed teaching but different outputs into  the professional arena. So it is important to analyse the the potential to meet the aim  before exploring the professional courses available. 

Thank you Lusodancer! My plans have progressed and we are actually moving.

 

I am not necessarily looking for London only but rather, a school that offers a high school "degree" - which I take to be an "upper school diploma" or Sixth form (please correct me if I am wrong!).  My employer will actually pay her tuition if I can get her into one of those - yes the WHOLE boarding and tuition. She is a pretty strong classically trained dancer who has either attended or got accepted into some of the "big" US summer intensives (incl. ABT NYC, PNB, Boston, Houston, Ellison) but having said that, she is not one of the rail thin ones who was selected to do the Royal Ballet Upper school after doing the White Lodge program last summer. Her goal is to dance professionally and because we have both EU and US citizenship, she is eager to try Europe.

I have a list of schools that I think go into this category:

 

ENBS

Tring

Elmhurst

Central

Russian?

 

If anyone knows of any more of them, please let me know! Also, if you know of any "full academic schools" across the pond in EU let me know. The Danish and Swedish I think would qualify but other than that I am not sure.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

There is no such thing as a “high school degree or diploma” in the UK.  There are a variety of qualifications that lead to university entrance that schools and colleges offer after national GCSE exams have been sat age 16. 

 

The most common/well known of these are A Levels. Students generally study between 3/4 academic subjects between the age of 16-18 unlike the US where I believe a wider range of subjects remain compulsory. Off the top of my head the schools that offer A levels alongside vocational training are Elmhurst, Tring, Hammond, London Russian & Kings. 

 

Many students in the UK however choose to study an alternative to A Levels called a Btec diploma. They are available in a variety of subjects including dance but I don’t know any ballet schools who offer them. 

 

Both the above are Level 3 qualifications. Exams and assessments are set, moderated and marked by external exam boards accredited by the UK Qualifications & Curriculum Authority and universities make offers depending on your grades. 

 

However the anomaly in the dance training works is that several vocational schools offer actual university level degrees or a degree level diploma to 16 year olds. These are Level 6 qualifications, the level of a bachelors degree. Central offers a BA Hons and ENBS offers the diploma. Elmhurst, Tring & Hammond offer the diploma with optional A levels, Northern Ballet offer just the diploma. 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Add Moorland to the list offering A Levels. 

[Soltova]

Thank you Picturesinthefirelight,

 

I guess the line may be a bit more fuzzy than I thought then and it's possible that my employer would approve some of the other ones as well.

Hammond and Moorland are new to me and thanks for the reminder of Kings - how do they compare to the others in classical ballet and with respect to training them to be ready for the professional dance scene?

 

This is so hard! I obviously would like her to audition to the best schools in both UK and the continent but it also needs to be the schools where she has a chance to get in giving that we won't have time to do all!

[Ruby Foo]

If your fees are being met then I would definitely look at Moorland as being a great starting point. From what I’ve heard from other parents, who have left top end vocational schools because they felt the training was lacking, Moorland provides excellent training and is more tailored to the individual. Parents have also commented on the nurturing environment. We do not have experience ourselves so relaying only what I have heard. I think many more people would keen if funding was available.

[Soltova]

7 hours ago, valentina said:

If your fees are being met then I would definitely look at Moorland as being a great starting point. From what I’ve heard from other parents, who have left top end vocational schools because they felt the training was lacking, Moorland provides excellent training and is more tailored to the individual. Parents have also commented on the nurturing environment. We do not have experience ourselves so relaying only what I have heard. I think many more people would keen if funding was available.

Thanks Valentina, I will definitely look into it. The fact that it has a rigorous academic program would probably make it eligible for us.

[capybara]

Masters of Ballet Academy also benefits from the wonderful teaching and presence of Elena Glurjidze, former Lead Prncipal of English National Ballet and also Vaganova trained.

[Soltova]

3 minutes ago, capybara said:

Masters of Ballet Academy also benefits from the wonderful teaching and presence of Elena Glurjidze, former Lead Prncipal of English National Ballet and also Vaganova trained.

Yes, I've heard good things about that school but I am not sure we would get any of the tuition or costs covered. I am also not able to get much information about their pre-professional/vocational program from their website and there is not academics attached so we would have to pay it all out of my own pocket. However, it looks like it's a program you could join any time, so if she is in between schools she could perhaps train there.

 

Does anyone know how Moorland and Tring compare in terms of classical ballet outcomes?

[Pas de Quatre]

Tring Park would generally be considered as stronger than Moorland.  One of Tring's pupils just won the Bronze Medal at the 2019 RAD Genée compeition.

Edited September 26, 2019 by Pas de Quatre
Sp

[Soltova]

32 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Tring Park would generally be considered as stronger than Moorland.  One of Tring's pupils just won the Bronze Medal at the 2019 RAD Genée compeition.

Yes she was in my daughter's SI class at White Lodge. Amazing girl!  Tring would be perfect since my sister actually lives close by so that is our first choice. However, she also needs to be accepted so I have to have a few backups. She doesn't do DVD auditions very well so I am trying to see if we could fly her over to do auditions in person. She is definitely better in person. Thanks Pas de Quatre!

Edited September 26, 2019 by Soltova

[Ruby Foo]

2 hours ago, Pas de Quatre said:

Tring Park would generally be considered as stronger than Moorland.  One of Tring's pupils just won the Bronze Medal at the 2019 RAD Genée compeition.

I think it’s fair to say that most girls who want a classical career leave Tring at 16, as the above medalist has done. They tend to go to ENB, Royal, Central. That’s not to say you couldn’t have a classical career if you are there from 16 onwards, but most are there for MT or contemporary by that stage.

[Soltova]

Thanks Valentina. That’s definitely also helpful.