Pasdebourree15 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Hello! I am currently in Year 10, and I recently auditioned for Year 11 at both Elmhurst and WL RBS. I received a 'no' letter from Elmhurst, and am awaiting a letter WL, though I am not expecting a 'yes', as they told us at the start of the auditions that there were not many, if any at all, spots available for Years 10 and 11. I also auditoned for the RBS SA, and am currently doing the aspiring professionals program with Ballet West in Scotland. I started ballet a bit late at 11 years old, but my goal is to attend a vocational ballet school for 6th form. (As I didn't get in to a school for this year) I want to post pictures of my feet/legs/etc. for people to comment on, but I am unsure of how to do that, if it's even possible! So if someone could help me with that... And any advice what so-ever for the auditions would be greatly appreciated... I've got highly arched feet, but they're weak, so any strengthening exercises would be great. Also any stretches to improve turnout! I'm willing to work really hard for this... should I be trying to do multiple summer schools? Trying to improve more basic ballet technique & facilities vs. more advanced technique? And any further recommendations as to what full-time schools I should be looking into auditioning for besides the 2 i named above?? (I'm American and I've only just moved to England, so advice on schooling in the area would be extremely helpful!) Thanks so Much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Hello pasdebourree15 and a belated welcome to the forum! :-) Gosh, lots of questions. For strengthening exercises, I would recommend that you ask your teacher to prescribe some theraband exercises to strengthen your feet. In terms of 6th form schools, in addition to Royal and Elmhurst I would suggest looking at the websites of: English National Ballet School The Hammond School Northern Ballet School Central School of Ballet Tring Park School for the Performing Arts Kate Simmons Dance Ballet West Rambert School (although they also like applicants of 18) I'm sure there are others too but my coffee hasn't kicked in yet! Do you also study contemporary (i.e. what we call Contemporary; Graham/Cunningham et al)? And how long have you been en pointe? Again, I would ask your teacher for Summer School recommendations and what you should be concentrating on. There are many Summer Courses which are for different age ranges, standards, and concentrate on different things, so your teacher should be able to advise you on areas for focus over the holidays. Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Don't worry about starting late, I know someone who started at a similar age and is now at Central. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutoo2much Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 If funding is not an issue, why not try Young Dancer's Academy for Year 11. Maybe they could help you prepare for the sixth fom auditions which sound very competitive. http://www.youngdancersacademy.co.uk/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie 2 Milner Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Do you live near London? Central do an associate scheme on a Saturday. There are lots of great summer schools about. Yorkshire Semminars , Royal Ballet, Ballet West I think. I think you may be too young for Prague Masterclasses run by Daria Klimentova (ENB) . A very nice summer school is Sussex Summer School in Forest Row (East Sussex). they do ballet, jazz contemporary. Do you buy Dancing Times and or Dance Europe as they do now detail some summer schools. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaledonia Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 In Scotland, as well as Ballet West there is also the Royal Conservatoire...and they both do very good summer schools too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Lots of great comments here - you've got some researching to do now! Would just like to say I don't think you should post any photos on here - it's really not very appropriate for people to comment on your physique without knowing your personally - much better to seek advice from your teachers or physio. Good luck 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 9, 2013 Author Share Posted February 9, 2013 Wow... thank you so much to everyone... I wasn't really expecting any replies! Thank you do much to spannerandpony for the welcome! And the recommendations are great... I have a ton of researching to do now! Haha... I started pointe late... about 2 years ago. And although I enjoy contemporary, I don't think I'll pursue it as a career. Thank you so much for the advice! Also thanks to taxi4ballet... I was a bit concerned about the age I started ballet, but it's really great to know that people like me still get accepted into ballet schools! Thanks to tutoo2much for the YDA link... it also seems like a really great school. Thanks for the summer school suggestions Julie 2 Milner! I do not live close to london... I live in the Lake District. Unfortunately there si not much in the way of ballet out here. And thank you kaledonia! I will look into botht of the summer schools in Scotland. Finally thanks to JulieW for the advice and good luck wishes! Just to put it out there, if all else fails, I have a spot at Ballet West for 6th form. Does anyone have an opinion/personal experiences about that school? Thank you!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Just wondering, how come you have a definite Ballet West 6th firm place already if youre only in year 10? x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Whoops, meant 6th form but cant edit it on my phone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Wow... thank you so much to everyone... I wasn't really expecting any replies! Thank you do much to spannerandpony for the welcome! And the recommendations are great... I have a ton of researching to do now! Haha... I started pointe late... about 2 years ago. And although I enjoy contemporary, I don't think I'll pursue it as a career. Thank you so much for the advice! Also thanks to taxi4ballet... I was a bit concerned about the age I started ballet, but it's really great to know that people like me still get accepted into ballet schools! Thanks to tutoo2much for the YDA link... it also seems like a really great school. Thanks for the summer school suggestions Julie 2 Milner! I do not live close to london... I live in the Lake District. Unfortunately there si not much in the way of ballet out here. And thank you kaledonia! I will look into botht of the summer schools in Scotland. Finally thanks to JulieW for the advice and good luck wishes! Just to put it out there, if all else fails, I have a spot at Ballet West for 6th form. Does anyone have an opinion/personal experiences about that school? Thank you!!! Well from what I know its a very good place to train indeed. One of the lovely girls currently dancing professionally in a company my ds trained there and loved it. And she is extremely good, (wouldn't be in a job otherwise.) As far as I'm aware students get lots of performing opportunities with Baller West. You've done very well to get a place there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 They regularly send girls to the Prix de Lausanne too, I think. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 No Spanner, not Prix de Lausanne, they have had candidates at the Adeline Genée which is the RAD's competition. Does anyone know what the funding arrangements are currently as Ballet West is now an HND course and no longer a degree course. There doesn't seem to be any mention of fees or funding on their website at present. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I wondered this too, couldn't find any fees information on the website either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat09 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 They are intending it to be a degree course by 2014 entry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie3 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) Funding for maintenance loans and grants is the same as other university courses, but as it's private only £6000 of the £9000 fees can be covered by student tutition loans at present. A degree course (final year) is currently being put in place, so will be up and running for students starting this year (could be before - I don't know!). Accommodation costs are on par with unite/liberty living, but need to be paid for throughout the year - so quite expensive - about £5400pa. Hope that helps Millie Edited February 10, 2013 by Millie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Just wondering, how come you have a definite Ballet West 6th firm place already if youre only in year 10? x I've been offered a place from the Aspiring Professionals program...it's once a month, and we recently did a production of The Nutcracker with the company/school. Obviously nothing's set in stone yet, but a spot for 2014 entry has been offered to me. I still have to wait a year, but they said they want me when I'm 16 (and entering 6th form). It's great to hear, but I don't want to commit myself to anything before all my 6th form auditions are over! Do you have any plans for 6th form/have any recomendations? xx Well from what I know its a very good place to train indeed. One of the lovely girls currently dancing professionally in a company my ds trained there and loved it. And she is extremely good, (wouldn't be in a job otherwise.) As far as I'm aware students get lots of performing opportunities with Baller West. You've done very well to get a place there! Thank you hfbrew! We (as in the Aspiring Professionals class) recently did The Nutcracker with the school/company, and it was really great. There are some very talented girls at the school! (One of them won the Adeline Genée recently I think) I've been offered a spot through the AP program for entry 2014, (since I'm still in year 10) but I won't say yes to anything I think until all my 6th form auditions are over. But at least I know I've always got this place to fall back on! Funding for maintenance loans and grants is the same as other university courses, but as it's private only £6000 of the £9000 fees can be covered by student tutition loans at present. A degree course (final year) is currently being put in place, so will be up and running for students starting this year (could be before - I don't know!). Accommodation costs are on par with unite/liberty living, but need to be paid for throughout the year - so quite expensive - about £5400pa. Hope that helps Millie Millie... the school does not include education beyond dancing, nutrition, etc. (no GCSEs or real subjects) is that right? To me that's the main drawback of the school... I would be worried about having a career to fall back on in case of injury... any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I wondered if you were in Nutcracker Pasdebourre, saw it in Stirling and thought it was amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 I wondered if you were in Nutcracker Pasdebourre, saw it in Stirling and thought it was amazing! Yes I was! I was the girl who did the partnering work in the 'sweets' dance...our AP dance was after the Arabian pas de deux... can't believe you were there! (: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 My dd is full time at Ballet West. It was such a good performance that we bought tickets for the Sunday as well, but could only stay until Spanish as we had a flight to catch. Silly me had thought the Sunday performance was in the evening Wanted to see it all again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Aww well at least you got to see it through once! It was a really great show...and all the girls at the school were lovely! It was nice to meet a few of them and talk about what the school was like. How long has your dd studied at Ballet West? Does she like it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Started last September and loves every minute! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Aww thats amazing! All the full-time girls seemed to really enjoy the performance. Do you know who she is mainly taught by? Jonathan Barton runs the AP program and he's great... does your dd get taught by him at all? Also what are your thoughts on not having academics available at the school? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Yes she's taught by Jonathan, Sara and I believe Kelly. I'm not sure of every teacher but she thinks they are all wonderful and loves her lessons. DD already taken A levels at 6th form. We desperately wanted her to take A levels but in the end she had to drop one of them - Biology a tough subject without 26 hours of dance/week. There are many threads on here voicing the pros and cons of A levels. If you attend Ballet West you will have a HND after 2 years and if you stay for 3 years then you will have a Degree. As pointed out in these various threads, you can take A levels at any point in your life. I suggest you search this forum to get a more balanced opinion, as I am only voicing my thoughts on education Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Wow thank you! Does that mean your DD took all her A levels before she went to Ballet West? I will find the forums about A levels... I'm fairly new to this all. Im American and we've only just moved over to the UK so I'm still learning about the schooling system! But thanks so much for your opinion... it's helped a lot! And sorry if I'm repeating myself, but am I right in saying that there is no form of academic schooling, (eg biology, maths, english etc.) currently available at Ballet West, besides the HND/Degree in Dance Qualification? Thanks again for all your advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 No Spanner, not Prix de Lausanne, they have had candidates at the Adeline Genée which is the RAD's competition. Does anyone know what the funding arrangements are currently as Ballet West is now an HND course and no longer a degree course. There doesn't seem to be any mention of fees or funding on their website at present. Ah, sorry, got my competitions mixed up! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear, something I'm very guilty of! DD had already taken A levels before she started at Ballet West and you are correct there are no lessons in maths etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasdebourree15 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 No worries! I understand now! Thanks so much. Did she complete them over the summer then... or was she home schooled? That's a lot of work to do coming out of Year 11... or was she beyond that when she started at Ballet West? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 sent pm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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