Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Hi I'm new to all this. We went to The Hammond for a look around just because we were interested. My dd had been dancing since she was 3 and we had been told she was good but as parents you can never really know how good they are! Whilst at The Hammond she was stretched and took part in some dancing. They asked us to audition for the associate classes. I had never heard of this. We live in a small place and she only has access to dance classes once a week. We auditioned last Saturday, she had never done this before. There were many there who already had places at other associates. She came out crying. I felt so upset, thinking we had set her up for something just to fall. However we received a letter on Friday saying she had been given a place. I am shocked to say the least. I know nothing about this world. I was told at the look around say that she had alot of potential and was very talented! She is 9 and in year 5 at school. She is very excited. Should we be looking at these sort of schools for her for year 7? I know nothing about funding! We could not afford it otherwise. Sorry for the long post!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifeafterballet Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Hi, we were in exactly the same position as you 4 years ago ! Dd only did one ballet class a week and her teacher suggested she audition for RBS and Elmhurst Associates ! We had tears also after the audition ! But she was offered both ! We knew nothing about this world and sort of got swept along with auditions for full time training not really knowing what was involved ! Some children had been doing the associate classes for 3 years and were well prepared for it all ! Dd is now in her 3 rd year of vocational training ! It's tough but she wouldn't change it for the world ! Other parents and forums are a great source of information and support ! I'm pleased our associate journey was short as this gave Dd an opportunity for other sports and hobbies before she gave it all up for ballet ! I don't know anything about the Hammond but can help with audition info etc ! Now doing 6th form ones with Ds ! Another experience ! Lol ! Good luck to your little dd ! Just enjoy the ride ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 (edited) Personally I think the first thing to do is calmly ask your DD if this is something she would like to do. If she hopes to go in to vocational training at 11 you need to know that she will be competing against DD's who dance many hours per week. That said, potential is the key word here and she may not need to do much more yet. However she might struggle for a while if she got in because of this. Well done to your DD Edited for clarity Edited March 8, 2015 by angel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Well done to your DD. I hope she loves her associate classes. My advice would be to perhaps start researching options for year 7 entry so that you know how it all works but also be aware you have a while before you need make any decisions so see how DD gets on and what she thinks of it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Thanks for all your replies! I do worry that she only has access to an hour of dance a week and that she may be behind others who have had several hours of ballet a week for several years. She has always said she wants to dance. She wants to be on stage. She has been doing ballet, tap, contemporary, modern and jazz for many years. She does about 4 hours of dance every Saturday. Her dance teacher is brilliant and us fully supporting dd. Unfortunately she can not offer any more additional lessons. There are other dance schools but looking into those they offer very much the same. Should I maybe look for private lessons alongside? We have sat her down and looked into all options. She is very excited and says she would love to go to a vocational school. She is very confident girl. She is quite multi talented having a beautiful singing voice and takes drama at school as well as choir. This world appears very complicated and I obviously need to do a lot of research. I will support her all the way if this is what she wants, I may need alot of advice from you guys though if that's ok! Thank you everyone!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Hello Niccia and welcome to the Forum! You will find that there is a wealth of advice on all manner of topics in the Doing Dance Forum. Do let us know how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I agree with angel, ask your dd if it's donething she would like to pursue. In June the school will be holding a Year 5 taster day where they get to spend a whole day at the school doing academic & vocational classes. You might also like to consider summer school to give her a taste of boarding. But I know several children who do Hammond Associates who although they are serious about dance, have no intention of applying full time & that's fine. And yes, my dd did struggle going from once a week to full time. She was behind. But she has progressed so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 I think I may need to look at additional ballet classes for her. It's just making sure it doesn't clash with other things we do! I also like her to have a full day of doing nothing! Thanks again everyone for all your support! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I didn't realise your DD had only done one class a week Pictures. Wow she has done well! I rhink they all catch up in the end but I'm sure it has its added stresses. That said, if you can do that without interfering with a normal happy childhood it has my vote. When my older DD got into RBS JA's aged 8 our whole life seemed (and still does) revolve around dance. If I could turn back the clock. In spite of success so far, would I? Hmmm I'm not sure actually. There is much to be gained from this crazy world of dance x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angel Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 The year 5 taster day is fabulous. My DD came away absolutely full of life! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovetoDance2003 Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Niccia, well done to your DD on gaining an associate place! My DD was also there last Sat but unfortunately it was a no for us! I agree with pictures in that the summer school will be good to give her an insight to boarding and the teaching there! My DD did it last year and although loved the dancing, didn't like being away from home! Good luck to your DD with the classes, and your dance journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Sorry to hear that lovetodance2003! I think we will be applying to the summer school as I feel it will be good experience and give my daughter a better insight into what this is all about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 We had 6 weeks of private lessons in the final term plus two terms of monthly RAD associates but yes, It was ballet, tap & modern once a week (back to back classes) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Pictures in the firelight - it's similar for us. Dd does back to back ballet, tap, modern and jazz. About 4 hours every Saturday. I will be looking at private lessons to see if it will help her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 Which area are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niccia Posted March 8, 2015 Author Share Posted March 8, 2015 Lancaster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All4dancers Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I really don't think you have to worry too much at this stage. My dd only started ballet on her 9th birthday and only had one 45 minute lesson per week until she was 10, when she added a non syllabus class. It was only after attending summer school at 11 and being told she had a lot of potential that we upped her ballet hours. She started vocational school at the beginning of year 9 before which she was having about 5 hours a week of ballet at the very most. I would say it probably took her a term to catch up with her peers. I'm A firm believer that it's quality, rather than quantity at a very early age. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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