Post 16 dance options

[hoglett]

Hi there, Can anybody point me in the right direction of where to look for post 16 dance options. DD doesn't want to do musical theatre and not just ballet. We're trying to avoid London. Thanks in advance. 

[balletbean]

11 minutes ago, hoglett said:

Hi there, Can anybody point me in the right direction of where to look for post 16 dance options. DD doesn't want to do musical theatre and not just ballet. We're trying to avoid London. Thanks in advance. 

Hi. Have you considered Northern Ballet School in Manchester?  Even though the school carries Ballet in their name they offer two courses. Classical (Ballet) Focus & Jazz Focus. Definitely not triple threat MT like the other major colleges like Birds and Laines but not pure ballet like Elmhurst/RBS. They’ve found a niche between the two. Jazz encompasses Tap, Modern, Jazz, Contemporary with minor supporting classes in singing and acting. Students can still take RAD and ISTD Tap & Modern exams. All students follow all genres 1st yr then specialise in either focus for their 2nd/3rd yr. about 30 pupils per year group but they do mix the yr groups up. Especially for exams. Everyone is judged on their own merit and not their personal yr group. So they take exams as and when ready. They also have an outreach project for students to teach at local primary schools and perform at elderly care home. All good community projects. Many graduates from the Jazz Focus secure contracts with the cruise ships. Check out their recent FB and Instagram posts for their graduate successes. DaDa’s also available should the applicant be eligible. Self-Catering accommodation is situated about a 5/6min walk around the block in traditional uni ‘Halls’ but flats allocated for NBS only. 

Happy to answer any more questions you have if at all interested. I’m slightly biased as DD is now 2nd yr. 

Edited September 21, 2019 by balletbean

[BlueLou]

You could try rummaging around on the ucas page. There are loads of dance related courses at Universities, but mostly for age 18+. https://digital.ucas.com/search/results?SearchText=Dance&filters=Destination_Undergraduate

[Picturesinthefirelight]

When you say she doesn’t want to do MT, do you mean she doesn’t want to sing at all?  

 

Dd auditioned for places not in London and the immediate areas but most all round dance courses contained some singing. The ones I know most about are

 

Hammond - Chester - L6 Diploma in Professional Dance - 1st year is a common year so students study all genres, ballet, jazz, tap, commercial, contemporary, acting (was minimal dd topped up via Lamda) & singing. 2nd Year course splits, dancers can then choose between a choreography module or a singing module. 

 

SLP - Leeds L 6 Diploma in Professional Dance - Those on the dance course study all genres of dance but there are still singing classes as part of the course. 

 

 

[Dancing unicorn]

KS Dance Warrington

[Lusodancer]

My DD is like yours, not a lover of MT or singing. To paraphrase BJ she would rather be 'dead in a ditch' than take a job that requires singing. She loves ballet and is good, but she is also strong in contemporary and technical jazz. However her teachers schedule a unit of singing classes as a back up and suggested that each student in their vocational school , which is principally aimed at producing company dancers not MT,  apply themselves to finding that one song that they could produce for audition if absolutely necessary. So my DD has not yet quit in that regard...still searching and experimenting for HER song, but others in her group have really found a hidden talent they never knew they had.

Luckily for these students, the full time three year vocational course , 16+ is aimed at strengthening ballet technique and artistry(Russian methodology), contemporary, technical Jazz, Commercial, Character, and stage craft.. to produce artists fit for company audition, plus an ancillary teaching ARBTA diploma . So it is a broad palette of skills acquired. The students get backstage experience, participation in international competitions and professional/semi-professional performances , intensives, but above all else a personalised teaching program designed to address corrections and development.    The name of the school is Kings International Ballet Academy if you would like to visit. It is in the Midlands in a calm village close to good transport links. It is affordable in comparison to prices that I have seen from comparable establishments in London. The students live with host families or share private rented accommodation for a fraction of London prices. They grow up fast and independent. My DD does her academic studies of A levels evenings and weekends with the private tutoring service and  to return to the theme says she will fall back on Psychology or teaching not singing to pay the bills.  She was always a strong dancer but has made great progress there and is happy. What can I say.

It is worth contacting them for their Open Day. They are attracting interest from various groups of pupils outside the original model and seem able to adapt the programme to accommodate.  

I hope this helps.

[All that jazz]

Arts 1 in milton Keynes  do a dance course which is very good

Dance box (in mk too) also do a dance course

Both are gov funded but contain 20+ hours of dance which is much more than the standard 12 at other colleges plus both perform at move it and other events 

[balletbean]

5 hours ago, Lusodancer said:

My DD is like yours, not a lover of MT or singing. To paraphrase BJ she would rather be 'dead in a ditch' than take a job that requires singing. She loves ballet and is good, but she is also strong in contemporary and technical jazz. However her teachers schedule a unit of singing classes as a back up and suggested that each student in their vocational school , which is principally aimed at producing company dancers not MT,  apply themselves to finding that one song that they could produce for audition if absolutely necessary. So my DD has not yet quit in that regard...still searching and experimenting for HER song, but others in her group have really found a hidden talent they never knew they had.

 

Oh, your DD is not alone. Mine will do anything to avoid the one singing lesson a week!! With Singing there is just nowhere to hide. Hit a wrong note and everyone knows. Dancing however, as long as they keep smiling hopefully no one has noticed 😉 🤞🏼 

She was also set the task this summer to source a song suitable for her to use at future auditions if needed.  She borrowed her big sisters whole folder from when she was at MT college hoping she can find something. She can hold a note just not expecting to find a hidden talent ☺️🎼

[glowlight]

I would echo balletbean's suggestion to look at Northern Ballet School.  My dd went there 10 years ago - so my experience may be out of date, but they seemed to produce rounded employable dancers.  

[Mummy twinkle toes]

Second vote for Kings International. Situated in Barwell. 1 bed flats available for around £350 per month with 2 beds around £450- many share. Focus on ballet but do do jazz, contemporary, character and a singing class. Singing is to give them another string to their bow but they are not expected to be Mariah or Celine.

It is still small so retains a family feel. All students known well by faculty.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

It might also be useful to know whether or not you require a course with funding (be it Dada for Level 6 or a government funded Btec.  Some of the institutions mentined are funded (albeit according to parental income if a DaDa, others are fee paying although some scholarships may be available.

 

"However her teachers schedule a unit of singing classes as a back up and suggested that each student in their vocational school , which is principally aimed at producing company dancers not MT,  apply themselves to finding that one song that they could produce for audition if absolutely necessary. "

 

This is the rationale behind most of the dance schools/colleges incorporating some element of singing into their courses. It wil be very hard to avoid singing completely. 

 

Northern School of Contemporary Dance is an excellent school but they only take students with A Levels or equivalent. 

 

Another place I thought of is Performers College in Essex.  Again the dance course does contain singing, but in a much lesser proprtion than ther Musical Theatre course.

[Danceintherain]

I hope you don't mind me jumping on this.  Is anyone able to shed any light on how much weighting is put on singing when auditioning for the dance diploma?  Where some schools/colleges offer the diploma in either MT or dance, the audition appears to have the same content (from what I can see).  But if the auditionee is wishing to take the dance route, is their quality of voice less important?  My DD understands the importance of singing and she will be auditioning for a number of places, some that require singing at the audition, some that don't.  She doesn't have the strongest of voices, so I'm interested to know how important it is if auditioning for the dance diploma.  I know, for example, that Hammond aren't concerned about quality of voice for lower school dance course, so I'm interested to find out whether the same applies for upper school. Many thanks.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

It will vary from college to college but for some colleges if a candidate is weaker in one area but strong in another they will take that into account and may offer a place or even a place on a different course than originally expected.

 

At one college dd auditioned for one course and they rejected her because they said her acting was not strong enough for MT but her dance standard was higher than she herself believed at the time so they offered her the dance course.   The principal of that college told me they regularly have candidates who audition for dance but their ballet  isn't strong enough but then they discover they have a great voice so offer them MT instead.

 

 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Also if you look at the spec of the diploma itself on Trinity website you can see that the different skills are assessed at different levels.  The Dance Diploma has Key Technical Skills in Professional Dance & Performance in Professional Dance both of which are assessed at Level 6.  The Supporting Skills element which can be Choreography or Voice are assessed at Level 5.

 

Similarly with the MT diploma the Key Skill of Singing is examined at Level 6 along with one other Key Skill area which depending on the college can be dance or acting.  (Hammond choose dance)  The thirs supporting skill (whihc at Hammond is Acting but at a less dancy college may be Dance) is assessed at Level 5.

[Danceintherain]

Thank you Pictures!

[Clarkd3]

PCD in Preston might be worth a look, it runs a fully funded 16-19 professional dance course plus full 3 yr degree course. The students cover istd syllabus in tap, modern and ballet plus jazz, contemporary, lyrical, commercial etc. They get the chance to gain teaching qualifications too!

Think the students are encouraged to get involved in MT but it’s a very small part of the course!

Its a flourishing venue for dance training but quite small and nurturing on the scheme of things x

 

[Dancing unicorn]

KS Dance has 2 open days (free of charge!) in November. Join in classes! Go have a look!

 

Ps Link for tickets thru their Instagram page!

 

Pps Hammond Open day this Saturday!! 😁😁

Edited September 24, 2019 by Dancing unicorn

[Anna C]

How important is funding, hoglett?  If you will have to rely on DaDa or Student Finance then your shortlist will naturally be smaller.

[hoglett]

Thank you all for your very comprehensive answers. To answer some of your questions-

*Funding is vital -single parent here

*She likes singing just doesn't want to go down the Musical Theatre route

* She doesn't particularly want to go down the performance route more teaching and choreography

 

Thank you all again -going to look into all of your recommendations. 

[Encroix]

2 hours ago, Anna C said:

How important is funding, hoglett?  If you will have to rely on DaDa or Student Finance then your shortlist will naturally be smaller.

Anna, 

I'm also starting to research post 16 options for DD. Is there a list of schools that offer DaDa? 

Thanks x

[Picturesinthefirelight]

DaDA schools for 2019 to 2020

The following schools offer DaDAs for the 2019 to 2020 academic year:

• ALRA (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) - (Acting )
• Arts.Ed, London (Acting or Musical Theatre)
• Bird College - Dance and Drama Theatre Performance (Musical Theatre)
• Bodywork Company (Dance or Musical Theatre) common 1st year
• Elmhurst Ballet School (Classical Ballet)2yr (Dance) 3yr
• English National Ballet School (Dance)
• The Hammond School (Dance or Musical Theatre) common 1st year
• Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (Dance or Musical Theatre)
• Laine Theatre Arts (Dance or Musical Theatre)
• Liverpool Theatre School (Acting or Musical Theatre)
• Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts (Acting or Musical Theatre)
• Northern Ballet School (Dance)
• The Oxford School of Drama (Acting)
• Performers College (Dance or Musical Theatre) common 1st year
• SLP College Leeds (Dance or Musical Theatre)
• Stella Mann College (Dance or Musical Theatre)
• Urdang Academy (Dance or Musical Theatre)

 

[Anna C]

Thanks Pictures. 😊

[Picturesinthefirelight]

In the light of hoglett's most recent post however I would also advise looking into the Level 3 Btec/UAL courses available as the majority of DaDa funded courses are geared towards intending professional performers.  Some are private but there are now many that are funded.  This can then lead onto a post 18 degree course and she may find more choice at 18, especially for the choreography/teaching route. 

[Anna C]

Hoglett, as funding is essential you are really looking at DaDa schools that Pictures has listed (plus, in theory, Tring for 2020 entry if they successfully reapplied for DaDa) or those which offer Student Finance.  If London is out of the question then that rules out Central and Rambert but if you look at the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama website you can search by course level:  http://www.cdd.ac.uk/courses/?filter-performance=dance

 

In my personal experience of private, non-Government funded institutions, these can be very expensive even with a half or full scholarship, especially where accommodation is provided by the institution.  

 

At 16, I too would suggest looking at a FE or Level 3 qualification as the leap from GCSEs to Degree/Level 6 can be huge and not all students are ready physically or academically.  

 

If teaching is the end goal, have you thought about the RAD’s BA (Hons) at 18, by the way? 

[Pups_mum]

If teaching is the end game, then I would seriously consider staying at home for another 2 years and doing A levels/BTEC at a local school or college - assuming you have sufficiently good dance and academic schools nearby of course.

There is little doubt that a would-be classical ballet dancer needs to be in full time vocational training at 16, but for those with other aspirations it is unlikely to be necessary and could even be detrimental. A lot more doors open at 18, and although of course everyone is different, in my own, admittedly limited, experience I think that the average 18 year old copes with living independently better than the average 16 year old. I think there can be a lot of pressure on serious teenage dancers (and their parents) when they see that "everyone else" is going away. It can be easy to feel that you are being left behind if you don't go. But depending on your plans it really isn't always the best thing.

 

Plus, think very hard about the financial implications. If you use funding for a 3 year degree or diploma starting at 16 it will be used up by age 19. Certainly if you've used student finance you won't get funding for another degree and from previous threads on here I believe it can be difficult after a DaDA as well. Its just something to bear in mind.

 

Personally, we didn't go to auditions anywhere that I knew we couldn't afford without impacting too much on my other children. I know people who have gone for audition practice or just take a look at a place, but I didnt want to run the risk of DD falling in love with somewhere I really couldn't afford.

It is terribly difficult to know what is best. Good luck with everything.

 

[balletbean]

23 minutes ago, Pups_mum said:

Personally, we didn't go to auditions anywhere that I knew we couldn't afford without impacting too much on my other children. I know people who have gone for audition practice or just take a look at a place, but I didnt want to run the risk of DD falling in love with somewhere I really couldn't afford.

It is terribly difficult to know what is best. Good luck with everything.

 

I’m so pleased I’m not the only parent who thinks the same.  My DD was pursuing the classical route. I completed my research  for funding availability first. Then applied those calculations to the vocational schools offering the courses. I then provided my DD with a (very short) list and asked her to choose up to 3 to audition at. Of those 3 she had to be fully prepared to take up a place should it be offered. Auditions were not a dress rehearsal as I called it as everyone has costs attached as we don’t live on the mainland. Each audition was in order of preference. Thus again cutting down costs. Fortunately she hit the jackpot on her 1st choice.

We know of several girls that auditioned at all of the vocational schools before even knowing the fees charged!! Let alone funding as they asked me afterwards!  I liken it to no one Putting an offer in on a property before even checking with their mortgage company first. 

We also had the conversation that I would support my DD for classical at 16 but if she was to pursue the MT route she would remain at school and take her A levels. I have another non-dancer at home to consider. 

It is hard. The excitement and expectation of going away but many forget to step off the treadmill for a moment and have a reality talk on both sides. 

[Lusodancer]

I was relatively lucky that my DD received her early vocational training paid for by an ministry of education scheme in the EU nation where we live. So I paid nothing for the equivalent of a 'White Lodge' start in professional training . I did have to pay for lodgings, but that was a fraction of the UK equivalent. The course ran for 8 years from year 5 (UK 6) to year 12 (like 13), Vaganova Grade 8, with a split between lower level and upper at the end of year 9, Vaganova grade 5,. It was at this stage aged 15 we opted to look to the vocational schools of the UK but Russian methodology was the deciding factor for my  classical ballet DD. so although she did auditions at RB it was only for the experience and to set her level in her mind. She could have stayed or moved, but a highly pertinent line of questioning at an audition interview attracted her to new mentors with a fresh outlook rather than maintaining the safe status quo. So now we are paying fees but out of London, so considerably less than some courses. I consider that we have been fortunate up to now. 

So Balletbean and Pupsmum I too was lucky not to get distracted by unnecessary auditions and would heartily  recommend the honest conversation route with DC's about what can or cannot be afforded. My DD is financially aware and has just  declined to have her room painted in her absence on the grounds that it will cost at least ' a pair of pointe shoes' if not two.    

We are also saving our student finance options for a degree course later, not necessarily a dance degree but an academic course that compliments other acquired skills and qualifications. Probably post company work if initial auditions to companies are sucessful.

So to return to the orginal theme, Hoglett,  if dance for teaching without MT is the aim , and not company contracts, then possibly continuing in academic studies to A level  would allow access into a funded course later .And research the list above for course structure. There are many useful suggestions here. So many knowledgeable people with experiences to share. I am so glad we have this forum.   

[hoglett]

Thank you all again. As I've said I'm a single parent, I was widowed 7 years ago so I literally have to make all the decisions single handedly. Plus we're just getting over the unexpected closure of my daughter's school- academic and where she danced all at the end of Year 10. So additionally I've got the  pressures of trying to get somebody to take her on to finish her BTEC Dance Level 2 and I'm homeschooling for her GCSEs. So you can see just why I genuinely appreciate the time you've all taken to reply and give me the benefit of your experience.  Thank you sincerely. I'm going to sit and reread all of your responses before carrying out lots of research on all of your suggestions. Xx

[Picturesinthefirelight]

Oh gosh I remember your other post now. Your poor dd and her year group have been dealt a rough hand. It could have been us (dd is in year 13) so easily. 

[hoglett]

Just now, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Oh gosh I remember your other post now. Your poor dd and her year group have been dealt a rough hand. It could have been us (dd is in year 13) so easily. 

Yep, absolutely awful. We're just trying to make the best of a bad situation and get on with things. It's very difficult though-she was so fortunate to go to a school she loved and she's had to watch the majority of her year group head to the school where the dance school went and I couldn't afford the fees for there. Xx

[hoglett]

On 22/09/2019 at 14:50, Lusodancer said:

My DD is like yours, not a lover of MT or singing. To paraphrase BJ she would rather be 'dead in a ditch' than take a job that requires singing. She loves ballet and is good, but she is also strong in contemporary and technical jazz. However her teachers schedule a unit of singing classes as a back up and suggested that each student in their vocational school , which is principally aimed at producing company dancers not MT,  apply themselves to finding that one song that they could produce for audition if absolutely necessary. So my DD has not yet quit in that regard...still searching and experimenting for HER song, but others in her group have really found a hidden talent they never knew they had.

Luckily for these students, the full time three year vocational course , 16+ is aimed at strengthening ballet technique and artistry(Russian methodology), contemporary, technical Jazz, Commercial, Character, and stage craft.. to produce artists fit for company audition, plus an ancillary teaching ARBTA diploma . So it is a broad palette of skills acquired. The students get backstage experience, participation in international competitions and professional/semi-professional performances , intensives, but above all else a personalised teaching program designed to address corrections and development.    The name of the school is Kings International Ballet Academy if you would like to visit. It is in the Midlands in a calm village close to good transport links. It is affordable in comparison to prices that I have seen from comparable establishments in London. The students live with host families or share private rented accommodation for a fraction of London prices. They grow up fast and independent. My DD does her academic studies of A levels evenings and weekends with the private tutoring service and  to return to the theme says she will fall back on Psychology or teaching not singing to pay the bills.  She was always a strong dancer but has made great progress there and is happy. What can I say.

It is worth contacting them for their Open Day. They are attracting interest from various groups of pupils outside the original model and seem able to adapt the programme to accommodate.  

I hope this helps.

Hi, Do you know if there is any financial support available at Kings please?

[Picturesinthefirelight]

If she is interested in a funded Level 3 diploma then Steelworks in Stoke on Trent might be do-able on the train. 

Edited September 25, 2019 by Picturesinthefirelight

[hoglett]

4 minutes ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

If she is interested in a funded Level 3 diploma then Steelworks in Stoke on Trent might be do-able on the train. 

Thank you. This looks really good. So...are you suggesting that she might be better to do a Level 3 at 16 and then look elsewhere at 18?