TinyNEDancer Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 I wondered if anyone felt it would be useful to share thoughts and experiences on the dance/ballet Easter or summer schools their children have taken part in this year? I thought it might be useful, given that there is often a choice and they can’t do them all (even if they would like to!) for people to share any experiences that they have had... It’s a good way to find out what is out there too! I am happy to share my DDs experiences this year if others are similarly interested 😊. She has really enjoyed both of the courses she did this year and found them very different from one another! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixiewoo Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 (edited) Great idea. Always good to have 'real life' experiences of summer schools. I'd be interested to hear about Easter intensives. DD went to Laine for summer school 2019 and had a brilliant week. She worked very hard and slept for 3 days when she got home! She stayed with a host family and 3 other summer school attendees. End of week show was phenomenal. Edited August 24, 2019 by Pixiewoo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leotardmum Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 DD attended RBS white lodge easter week 2018 and now a summer week 2019 aswell and also easter week in hong kong done totally loved it very well organised not one complaint i have to say from her or myself met loads of lovely new dancers, always made to feel welcome in class, encouraged and DD says teachers all just gorgeous ! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ButterflyBallerina Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 I'm looking for a good Easter intensive for my dd who is 10, will apply for RBS but with the small chance I'd be interested in others for her age 😁. X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Malvern Ballet Seminars - fab Easter course 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyNEDancer Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Dancing unicorn said: Malvern Ballet Seminars - fab Easter course My DD is very keen to try this one next! We’ve been in touch with them and they have been so friendly and helpful so far. She’s excited for next year already! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyNEDancer Posted August 26, 2019 Author Share Posted August 26, 2019 We have experience of Moorlands Summer School - excellent course. DD learned so much and her technique improved very much. The course directors are wonderful. Tring Dance Course - really good, varied week. Had the opportunity to try lots of new styles. Brilliant food, made some nice friends, good facilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Dancing unicorn said: Malvern Ballet Seminars - fab Easter course Both my DC attend Malvern Ballet Seminars Easter and new Summer courses. Amazing teaching in a caring, supportive environment. Excellent facilities and activities too. They even have a swimming pool 😂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All4dancers Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Would highly recommend the courses run by Ballet Cymru. Wales International ballet summer school is according to my dd the best she's attended (and she has attended quite a few over the years). Not residential though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArucariaBallerina Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Woodside Dance Retreat Easter course was amazing - really kind but inspirational teachers who made you push your limit and improve beyond measure! Small classes so lots of individual corrections and opportunity to make lots of friends 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellaballerina's mum Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 On 26/08/2019 at 09:04, Dancing unicorn said: Malvern Ballet Seminars - fab Easter course I agree. Couldn’t recommend Malvern highly enough. My DD has been to their Easter and Summer intensive and had an amazing time at both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixiewoo Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 Does anyone know of any Spring intensives held the week BEFORE Easter in 2020? They all seem to be the week after and DD already has commitments that week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 (edited) What about Bristol Russian!! I know they do a summer course but do they do Easter too! Another one my dd really enjoyed! 🥰 Edited September 29, 2019 by Dancing unicorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Encroix Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 DD did Ballet Cymru, Claudia Dean and Ballet Star this summer. She loved them all for different reasons, was worked hardest at Ballet Cymru (we booked an air bnb for the week), had the most fun at Claudia (loved her!) and had the most high profile teachers at Ballet Star (inc Darcey Bussell). She wants to definitely return to Wales next year and will be looking for another course in addition so I'll keep my eye on this thread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaF Posted September 29, 2019 Share Posted September 29, 2019 13 hours ago, Pixiewoo said: Does anyone know of any Spring intensives held the week BEFORE Easter in 2020? They all seem to be the week after and DD already has commitments that week! I have this exact dilemma for my DD - I've spent an age trying to find something for that week! We'll definitely be booking Malvern for the summer. Can anyone give me an idea of what level the lower age group works at? My DD will be 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy twinkle toes Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 21 hours ago, Dancing unicorn said: What about Bristol Russian!! I know they do a summer course but do they do Easter too! Another one my dd really enjoyed! 🥰 Yes, they do an Easter course. It is a really good course. Not residential though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing feet Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 We did Kings, Woodside and Elmhurst over the summer. My DD loved them all and got something from each one. She did single out Kings and will go next summer. Has anyone got experience of Masters of Ballet at Easter? Both my DD’s would like to try it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ti62 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Did Kings too. Great teachers, lovely students and welcoming atmosphere. Well worth doing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lusodancer Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 At Easter my DD did two days out of three of Dance Forward , the second day with Sarah Lamb, and a few days at the Intensive at the Escola de Dança de Conservatorio Nacional of Lisbon. For the summer, my DD did Longiano in Danza, close to Rimini with some colleagues from Kings International. That was interesting. Beautiful town, safe for the hundred or so children of several nations. International teachers. Dorm style accommodation in the local hotel. My 15 year old has been travelling alone for so many years as a vocational student, initially living 250 miles away from home, now 1500 miles and a flight away, that such opportunities present no problem for us as parents. (The Verona Intensive always appeals but we can never fit it in. I might turn up to that one myself...if only to hold the tracksuit tops, well, no, not really , I would probably be sightseeing.) My DD was impressed by seeing so much Checchetti up close. The director of La Scala and his pupils were there, so the standard was very high. Then she returned for Ballet Cymru , which she thoroughly loved. However turning up here, the hotels and Student Village recommended by the organisers did not accept under 18's unaccompanied so this caused last minute hitch whilst we tried to find an alternative for a 15 year old and a 17 year old. Such is the paranoia over chaperoning now, it appears you can fly across Europe and be welcomed, homed and fed by local Italian hotels only to be turned down in the UK on the grounds of child safety. It is' safer' for a hotel chain, with contracted staff, fire regulations, locks on doors, CCTV to refuse young unaccompanied adults and turn them away leaving them to find an unmeasured Airbnb host! As it happened the Airbnb host willing to take them was delightful and even turned up to see them perform at the showcase at the end of the week. All's well that end's well. Teaching and classes were great though. Lots of pas de deux for the senior workshop plus end of week showcase. Company dancers helped the course run and gave a gravitas to the content, but the atmosphere was very friendly. After this she did Kings, which of course has residential and non-residential options . The course covers a variety of disciplines and leads to preparation of a piece of repertoire and other works for the end of the week performance. International teachers. Excellent course structure , definitely an intensive and facilites with evening fun activities. The last workshop she tried was the London Ballet Masterclasses . She and her friend had to stay with friends of ours on the edge of London and commute in as we could not risk the hotel turning them away again. The problem is that hotel booking sites accept bookings where over 12's are sometimes classed as adults. but then won't accept them as guests. The girls enjoyed this course as well and would be trying to return here if possible. Then she rested... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted September 30, 2019 Share Posted September 30, 2019 Gosh there is so much more out there than ever I realised! Any advice for first overseas course for a 16 year old who wants to spread their wings a little? I’m not sure we will ever be able to get a suitable video produced.... if RBS select from photos & application form do any similar high level overseas courses also go by just this & no video? Also, other than the fantastic ybss, any other places offering scholarships one can apply/audition for I wonder? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leotardmum Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 princess grace school in monaco , bolshoi summer intensives in europe, danish ballet school-european ballet school-dutch national all offer summer schools ... i think a lot of them want video submission ...x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 No video for Prague International Masterclasses, just a photo and reference. One week or two week options, residential and non residential. My ds and dd both loved it x 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancing unicorn Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Dar Dance morocco!! Amazing place, fabulous teachers! They have done part scholarships in the past (not sure about recently!) dd went twice with us (fab holiday 😁😁) but there were children unaccompanied! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knh Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Pixiewoo and BellaF, Here are some pre-Easter intensives. ENBS just announced spring intensive dates on social media (4/6-4/8/2020). I believe it is first come first serve when application opens. But age requirement is likely 14-16 if it’s the same as previous years. RBS White Lodge is 4/4-4/9/2020 and is already accepting applications. Escola Artistica De Danca Conservatorio Nacional in Lisbon was 4/8-4/13 last year. The dates are not out yet for 2020. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixiewoo Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Thank you x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BellaF Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Thank you so much Knh - unfortunately my daughter will only be 9 but have noted down for the future! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medora Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Can anyone advise what the application is like for RBS summer intensive? I know they want the usual photographs, but is there also an audition, or how does it work? My daughter is 10 and this is the first year she is eligible to apply. She did Tring this summer. She had an amazing time but she prefers ballet over street/commercial/contemporary and there was only one hour of ballet per day, so we may look elsewhere this year. In previous years she has done Danceworks summer intensive.Another amazing experience but it seems most of the girls attend Danceworks together in the year and are close friends. They were all nice to my daughter but I thought I’d mention it, as someone with a younger child may wish to book with a friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knh Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Medora, Just photos and a simple application form. One application takes care of both the spring and the summer intensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottylou Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 For the RBS intensive applications, do you know if there is an application fee for applying and roughly how much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 Fees for each & every one I seen to remember! One form may cover all courses but still think it’s a seperate fee that has to be paid for each one!! Seems such a lottery when based on photos & I do think that all intensives that are marketed as International do then take a large number from overseas....almost a game to see how many countries can be represented.... have wondered if reverse is true & would UK DC’s maybe stand better chance of being selected for National schools abroad? But then if course costs would be ever higher with flights etc... Wishing you good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knh Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 Yes, as Peanut68 mentioned, the application fee was 32 GBP per intensive last year so 2x that if you apply for both intensives. On the nationality mix, my daughter's class was a little over 50% from the UK (spring 2019) and based on the 2017/18 annual report, the applicant pool was 57% UK, so different year, but the mix at the intensive seemed to be roughly in line with the applicant pool. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 That’s an encouraging statistic to know.... I guess that the Royal title probably has the greatest pull for international applications of any intensive...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlexyNexy Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 From my DD experience I could recommend the following: UK Malvern/ OPES – for spring intensive ENBS - tried sping and summer - not one for her, her feedback was 'ok to socialise not demanding enough', also placed in incorrect lower group so was not challenging enough She has tried first time RB this summer but said is was good but not demanding enough Portugal The National Conservatory Dance School - https://www.eadcn.pt/en/ - very high standard of dancers, great lessons Spain - summer IB Stage - Barcelona Russian Masters Ballet Camp in Alicante Centre de Dansa de Catalunya - Catalunya USA - tried only summer Ellison Ballet – would recommend both programmes - Variations and PDD (very demanding classes and kids actually work and sweat) The Alvin Ailey – fantastic teachers! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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