Sally-Anne Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Ok, but at £65 per child, I think they are more than covering their costs. Which is fine, but I think you do have a right to expect some sort of service. My daughter had a lovely time, loved the class, but for those who didn’t, I think they are right to be upset. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coniger Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 For the boys audition in London they had Mr Annear and two WL teachers who taught the boys at the school. The class was taught by the MA boys teacher so on that day they couldn’t do any better! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yrosered Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Leeds College of Music was the first conservatoire to scrap audition fees this year recognising the barrier they can create. Next year when DD auditions I am fully prepared to need to spend upwards of £1000 of which at least £300 will be on fees. For that, and my time, I expect the audition panel to give her the respect of their attention during the process like any professional should. It's not a huge amount to ask no matter how many auditions they sit through. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrise81 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 Yep Manchester I have one very shocked but very happy DD too!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richieN Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I see the complaining has begun.... Results must be out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 4 minutes ago, richieN said: I see the complaining has begun.... Results must be out. Little bit harsh, perhaps, richieN? People are allowed to comment on their own experiences, providing they don’t break forum rules. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, richieN said: I see the complaining has begun.... Results must be out. I think that is a rather harsh & unkind comment; totally unnecessary & I am guessing you are not talking from first hand experience ogf being in the same room at the same time as ME & MY DC - ie. you have no firsthand knowledge of the PERSONAL experience I was talking about..nor the sessions others also shared less positive experiences of I’m guessing Edited February 3, 2020 by Peanut68 Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally-Anne Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 I’m not sure that’s true - I’m the only one who has reported a no to finals, and I said my DD has a lovely time, which she did. We knew she wouldn’t get in, her feet aren’t right for Royal. She wanted to try anyway. Fair enough. But I think some of the experiences reported here warrant people being upset 🤷♀️ 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) 10 minutes ago, Anna C said: Little bit harsh, perhaps, richieN? People are allowed to comment on their own experiences, providing they don’t break forum rules. Thank you Anna - I see we may well have been typing at the same toime. I trust on this forum we should be entitled to share accurately OUR experiences & express OUR viewpoints - within the boundaries of forum rules, the law of the land & with good taste & decency. I clearly labelled these as my OWN PERSONAL views. I stand by MY PERSONAL experience & viewpoint & welcome anyone else to share theirs here.... debate is healthy & I very much hope others experience of this particular event was positive, uplifting & the outcome you hope for! Incidentally RichieN, no, the results for that date are not yet out.... I precisely wished to share MY views well in advance if these precisely so I could not be accused of ‘sour grapes’ ! Indeed, I soul searched worrying what if it hindered my DC should anyone ‘shop me’ to RBS???? Then I realised that allthis craziness was getting to me of I remotely cared about that!! Ballet too?!!! Edited February 3, 2020 by Peanut68 Typo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoDancers Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 2 hours ago, Peanut68 said: Am I alone in finding it odd (even somewhat insulting?) that no true representative of RBS Upper School is present in all auditions for Upper School places? And possibly same for White Lodge places also in some cases? It seems for years now there is the same one individual consistently on the panel who choose for training across all courses from c. age 8 (?) part time JA courses right up to c. age 19 third year Upper School. That seems at odds to me s surely there is a huge difference across the year groups? Sure, I believe they will be extremely experienced with a good eye but I would expect more specialisation in talent spotting for specific year groups for each audition would be beneficial & certainly more respectful of the young people auditioning & of the parents who have paid a large sum of money....Surely at the very least an actual staff member of each of the relevant institutions (WL or US depending on entry age) should attend all full time course auditions? Onevorhee thoght too is by always being seen by dale old person, it reinforces a history of failure woth DC’s vocalising ‘I know they don’t like me’ ‘They didn’t choose me before she’d 9 so why would they now age 15?’ Not setting them into an ideal mindset? Or conversely ‘they did pickme for JA’s or similar so I’m feeling good & confident’ etc etc... I can echo the responses of well it’s s tough world, they have to be tough, it’s a small world, they’ll constantly come up upon the same people etc etc....but still I do think they could/should ‘shake it up’ a little....don’t remember there ever being a request for feedback on audition experience? And suspect many of us wouldn’t truly trust the anonymity of any survey & worry to be that exposing or complaining parent for fear we jeapardise our DC’s future chances.... shocking we still have this little nagging worry isn’t it in this day & age? It echoes comments made by students in current ongoing ‘HR investigations’ in the profession doesn’t it? In Dance we are trained ‘to always say yes’ We are perhaps all a little guilty of aiding this unhealthy elitist can do what they like attitude.... The big wigs all seem to be in attendance at auditions held overseas or where they dish out places/ scholarships/ short term international ‘exchange’ style opportunities. I guess Birmingham/Manchester/London not as glam as Asia/USA.....And I imagine the expenses paid trips (& fees to teach masterclasses & judge?) also help tempt their presence where they actually to get to see potential pupils? Will add that I am sure these issues are not unique solely to RBS & I wrote merely as a commentator stating solely my own humble opinions & musings.... We had two panelists at the Bath audition; one of whom was the Year 7 teacher from White Lodge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peanut68 Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 (edited) That’s good to hear about from your Bath audition experience; was that fir WL or Upper School? Thank you for sharing & hope it was a positive experience for all the DC’s there. Edited February 3, 2020 by Peanut68 Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dopedeedoo Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 7 hours ago, Pups_mum said: I absolutely agree with you @Yrosered If people we deal with in everyday life behaved like this would we be so accepting? If a doctor didn't bother listening would people say "Well have you any idea how many patients she has seen this week, and you really aren't that sick are you?" Or if a regular school teacher gave a class with his eyes shut would it be "Gosh, he must get sick of having to spend every day with kids, you should be grateful be bothers to turn up at all?" If a checkout operator was rude we would probably complain. If you work in a public facing job there is a standard that your clients can reasonably expect, no matter how tired, bored, hot, cold etc you are. How can we hold shop assistants to a higher standard of behaviour than we do people entrusted with the care of children and young people, simply because they represent an elite institution? A poster hit the nail on the head in another thread recently, talking about the "humble gratitude" that parents and children are expected to exhibit in these circumstances. Yes, we all know that the performing arts world is tough, but these are children and their parents have paid a sum of money which for some will be a significant amount, for this experience. The should be able to expect politeness as a minimum. Some sectors of dance education are stuck in a mindset that most of the rest of the educational world abandoned decades ago, and it really does need to change. Very well said. It really does need to change. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motomum Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 3 hours ago, richieN said: I see the complaining has begun.... Results must be out. @richieN my son is through to the finals and has always had a really positive experience at his auditions. nonetheless posters are making a valid point about their child’s experience and the approach of the panel. my son is perceptive enough to know that he has been treated ‘differently,’ (not I hasten to add more favourably) because he is an existing RB student. The panel already know him. He is referred to by name not number and he and another boy were spoken to by one of the panel at the end of the audition. This must be off putting, possibly disheartening to other auditionees no matter how resilient they might be. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoDancers Posted February 3, 2020 Share Posted February 3, 2020 3 hours ago, Peanut68 said: That’s good to hear about from your Bath audition experience; was that fir WL or Upper School? Thank you for sharing & hope it was a positive experience for all the DC’s there. It was for White Lodge. My DD really enjoyed the class and everybody seemed to come out smiling as far as I could see. It’s a shame to hear that it wasn’t a positive experience for others though. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanceMum83 Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Congratulations to those that have made it to finals! Think just Birmingham’s to come out now good luck to those still waiting 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 15 hours ago, sunrise81 said: Yep Manchester I have one very shocked but very happy DD too!! I take it she has changed her mind about not wanting to take things further ☺️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattementBatty Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 Sorry to hear about the negative experiences. My daughter is a JA at the London centre and auditioned there. She didn't find they treated the JAs any differently to anyone else at the girls audition. She only started in year 6 on the 24 session course though so still feels quite a newbie herself and as her teacher wasn't there she didn't know anyone else. Obviously being familiar with the studios was a benefit to her and the fact that a couple of the girls from her class were there too also put her at ease. It was obviously a nice confidence boost for the JAs to be able to wear their uniform - I was surprised they were allowed to - as there were a large number if you looked at the 3 audition groups we saw (the one before coming out, her one and the group warming up to go in) and I did think that the non JA girls could feel a little intimidated. I honestly can't remember who was on our panel but it all seemed very nice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattementBatty Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 I'm a bit overwhelmed as my daughter received a yes to a final audition for WL. She was primarily auditioning for a MA place and really didn't expect to get through so she was shocked but pleased that she has the opportunity to dance again. Does anyone know anything about the finals? I noticed that it is over 2 days - is that 2 groups? How many do you think there might be? I feel a bit out of my depth as we just thought she'd give it a go and haven't even considered it as a serious option. I know some of the girls from her JA class have auditioned at other schools and we hadn't even thought about it - I'm now thinking I've maybe underestimated her! What do you think they are looking for? She is not the most flexible and says most of her JA class do gymnastics and are ultra bendy so she was a bit concerned about that. Her turnout is ok but not amazing and her feet are ok but not particularly special. When I put it like that I'm not sure what they saw! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrise81 Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 46 minutes ago, meadowblythe said: I take it she has changed her mind about not wanting to take things further ☺️ She has. I left it up to her to decide and after speaking to her teacher she said even f it was for the experience she wants to go....never been to WL so why not eh? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 I hope she has a splendid day. Kudos to your DD for being able to change her opinion. It's a skill as adults we tend not to always use ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally-Anne Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 28 minutes ago, BattementBatty said: I'm a bit overwhelmed as my daughter received a yes to a final audition for WL. She was primarily auditioning for a MA place and really didn't expect to get through so she was shocked but pleased that she has the opportunity to dance again. Does anyone know anything about the finals? I noticed that it is over 2 days - is that 2 groups? How many do you think there might be? I feel a bit out of my depth as we just thought she'd give it a go and haven't even considered it as a serious option. I know some of the girls from her JA class have auditioned at other schools and we hadn't even thought about it - I'm now thinking I've maybe underestimated her! What do you think they are looking for? She is not the most flexible and says most of her JA class do gymnastics and are ultra bendy so she was a bit concerned about that. Her turnout is ok but not amazing and her feet are ok but not particularly special. When I put it like that I'm not sure what they saw! Congratulations! They obviously saw something they liked. Could be to do with her body proportions - is she very long limbed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meadowblythe Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 My son didn't get a place at WL primarily, so I am lead to believe, because he was so bendy. Having been a JA he was a known quantity and was whisked off for an assessment on arrival. They were concerned about hypermobility and possible lack of core strength. I was told his body type and overall presentation was more suitable for another named school. He did develop core strength but very late, would love just a tenth of that flexibility back now, and (touching wood) his career from Y10 onwards has been a slow but steady upwards trajectory. They know what they are looking for unfortunately we don't! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunrise81 Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 1 hour ago, meadowblythe said: I hope she has a splendid day. Kudos to your DD for being able to change her opinion. It's a skill as adults we tend not to always use ... Thank you! I always let her decide.....I know nothing about dance so I am quite happy to let her decide with the advice of her teachers too. She is still swaying more to Elmhurst. We shall see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BattementBatty Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 2 hours ago, Sally-Anne said: Congratulations! They obviously saw something they liked. Could be to do with her body proportions - is she very long limbed? Yes I suppose so. She's slim but not a skinny rake but has long arms and legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcey15 Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 On 03/02/2020 at 18:00, Peanut68 said: I think that is a rather harsh & unkind comment; totally unnecessary & I am guessing you are not talking from first hand experience ogf being in the same room at the same time as ME & MY DC - ie. you have no firsthand knowledge of the PERSONAL experience I was talking about..nor the sessions others also shared less positive experiences of I’m guessing Totally agree with you, easy for some people to say! Hmm really not needed ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 9 hours ago, BattementBatty said: Yes I suppose so. She's slim but not a skinny rake but has long arms and legs. It may be that she has that indefinable magic, something special that says that she is a musical and well coordinated dancer as opposed to a bendy machine. I have seen many year 7s over the years at WL who were not in flat splits etc. to begin with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pointeshoesarethedream Posted February 4, 2020 Share Posted February 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, hfbrew said: It may be that she has that indefinable magic, something special that says that she is a musical and well coordinated dancer as opposed to a bendy machine. I have seen many year 7s over the years at WL who were not in flat splits etc. to begin with. This is really interesting to know. We are only at the very beginning of our ballet journey but DD has a dream! I look at her and think about how she’s not blessed with natural flexibility, I do often say to her that the flip side of this is she has quite a lot of control so perhaps this will go in her favour when the time comes. Congratulations to all those that are on the next step this year. Sorry for the ‘not yets’ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally-Anne Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 1 hour ago, SJBallet said: This is really interesting to know. We are only at the very beginning of our ballet journey but DD has a dream! I look at her and think about how she’s not blessed with natural flexibility, I do often say to her that the flip side of this is she has quite a lot of control so perhaps this will go in her favour when the time comes. Congratulations to all those that are on the next step this year. Sorry for the ‘not yets’ It is interesting isn’t it? My daughter is in a flat box split and over split front splits. her back bends to a ridiculous degree, and I do wonder if she will have problems with hyper mobility at some point. However, her feet don’t match the rest of her flexibility. I’ve always assumed this is the reason RBS is not interested, but maybe she is considered too flexible/hyper mobile? She really loves to dance and does so very well, is very musical and has a natural performance ability ( She has won a music scholarship at a very competitive school, and has been very favourably reviewed in an ENO show choreographed by Wayne McGregor). Studio Wayne McGregor loved her, and put the idea in her head about full time training at 11. But RBS has been straight no 3 years for JA and now for WL finals as well. I feel so sorry for her, she works so hard, and has so much talent, but doesn’t fit the RBS mould I guess. I’m not sad as I would prefer she goes to a normal school until she is 16 anyway, but it’s hard to see them so disappointed ☹️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 One of the things I always take into consideration when thinking about suggesting a pupil should audition is how they would cope with a "no". The numbers auditioning for so few places means that the majority will be disappointed. With talented but delicate flowers it can do too much harm! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sally-Anne Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 7 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said: One of the things I always take into consideration when thinking about suggesting a pupil should audition is how they would cope with a "no". The numbers auditioning for so few places means that the majority will be disappointed. With talented but delicate flowers it can do too much harm! I’m sure in the long term it’s no bad thing to learn some resilience. If they want to be dancers after all, they will have to cope with these things all through their careers. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 That's right. I feel most of the discussion here is limited to the purely physical. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
junedancer Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Pas de Quatre said: That's right. I feel most of the discussion here is limited to the purely physical. Very good point PdQ. I am always proud of the way my DD copes with a no - and we have had numerous, including a number of RBS and other waitlists. It is such a difficult journey for the whole family unit not just the dancer. She has friends who don't take it so well and one whose mother took some helpful constructive feedback badly and while the child wanted to continue on the journey the mother backed off, to the detriment of the child. What must also be taken into consideration as everyone goes through the audition process is this is just the start. The anxious feeling you all have waiting for the "yes" is one you will continue to have in the coming years day in day out as they go from assessment to assessment and audition to audition. I am not saying this to put anyone off nor am I implying that dance parents out there do not already know what they are going into. I am just empathising with the situation as someone going through it. We have good days and bad days but the one thing that makes us all keep going is having a DD who is happy, healthy and continues to love dance - but if this was not the case we would have no hesitation to move to plan B! Good luck to everyone waiting for the outcome of auditions. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanceMum83 Posted February 5, 2020 Share Posted February 5, 2020 Congratulations to those that have made it to finals! Seems to have been a break in results now I believe London from 26th jan and Birmingham still haven’t heard yet! Wonder how long it tends to be for those last auditions to get results. I’m thinking won’t be before next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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