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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Royal ballet school junior associates

146 replies

MaisyMoo123 · 08/01/2014 22:25

Hi, have raised this on a different thread but thought I'd start a new one specifically on this topic. My 8 yr old dd's ballet teacher has suggested that she audition for the royal ballet school junior associates programme. I'm really not sure what to make of it. Clearly we're very proud of dd as she's obviously showing some promise and I can see it would be an amazing opportunity but it also fills me with fear as it is a completely alien world to me and one I'm sure would be viciously competitive and require huge time and financial commitment. honest! Has anybody got any experience of this? I'd really welcome views and opinions to help me get my head round it! Thanks!

OP posts:
onlymusic · 11/04/2017 16:25

Oops, wrong place to post!

orabel · 12/04/2017 22:45

Does anybody know what exercises they're asked to do? Also if it follows similar format, order to a ballet class; barre, centre etc?

I asked my nephew what he did at the audition, but he can't remember anything apart from being asked to pretend to be a tree Hmm That was only two years ago;

elfonshelf · 13/04/2017 15:01

From what I have gleaned from conversations and around the web, they do a bit of barre work, some centre work, simple stretches once they've warmed up - froggies to check for turnout potential, lying flat on back with arms and legs extended to check for 'banana backs', some say they do box splits (but not essential to be able to do these by any means), then there are lots of gallops and skipping and a free-dance section such as pretending to be trees or seaweed.

They are not looking for technical expertise - there will be children there who have been dancing once a week for only a few months and others who have been dancing multiple hours, multiple disciplines, competitions, exams etc for years. With JAs, they want certain proportions, potential ability to be trained, musicality and the x-factor that no-one can define.

With DD, we're not practicing anything and my last minute advice is likely to be to pay attention to what the teacher says, not chat too much Hmm and have fun.

orabel · 14/04/2017 13:51

Thanks Elf.

No, not much you can do to prepare, really.

The JAs we know (only three from different schools) are all petite and beautifully proportioned for ballet. However, one teacher informed us, after observing JA classes, that this is not the case, uniformly, and there are many different shapes and sizes.

elfonshelf · 14/04/2017 18:23

No problem! Are you on balletco? There's a fair few of us trying not to show our nerves over there - DD's completely laid back about it, so I can quietly obsess with others in the same boat.

None of my friend's have dancing DD's - or at least they are very much in the 'nice to have tea with other mothers while DD prances about the church hall' camp and I don't want to come across as a complete loon/tiger mother stressing about turnout and body to leg proportions!

Annoyingly, I can guarantee that DD will come out of the audition unable to remember a single thing that they were asked to do - she's been doing 'nothing' or 'I forget' at school since nursery - so I probably won't be much help to anyone in future years.

orabel · 15/04/2017 10:05

Yes, I've been on ballet co for years. I hadn't noticed any new JA threads, though, it's all Mids and the White Lodge auditions most recently.

That's the good thing about these threads and forums, that people do 'get' it. Non dance families could be forgiven for thinking we're a little obsessed.

We've just received the audition dates this week (outside of London) so it is getting rather nerve wracking. Though we're planning ahead, to other competitions/auditions/exams, so this audition doesn't appear so all-important, as of course there are so few places (compared with number of applicants)

elfonshelf · 15/04/2017 12:07

We're London, so likely to be beginning of May. I was thinking of putting DD in for the YDA associates as the RBS is such a long shot. I don't think they have quite such horrendous odds there and it would give her the audition experience and if she was offered associates there and RBS is a no, then at least she'd be getting the extra hours of superb training (her current school doesn't have that option). Also takes the whole emphasis off RBS being some kind of big goal.

Does mean another set of photos as the positions are different from the RBS and I still haven't quite recovered from the trauma of doing their set.

There haven't been any JA threads for a bit, but I imagine there will be some new ones once the auditions get underway.

orabel · 19/04/2017 20:50

Yes it is better to take the emphasis off a little.

I expect there will be a JA thread over on ballet co soon. Though I hope people continue to update here also. Good luck anyway!

amberbutton · 24/04/2017 23:42

Finding it fascinating to read all this again (we're trying again with different child). I remember the actual OP of this thread from another forum in 2014, but sadly their child wasn't successful in the JAs audition - in case anybody was wondering what happened to the OP.

Only a few weeks to go and this is the only current thread to be found Grin

Muddlingalongalone · 25/04/2017 00:06

This has just popped up on active threads and made me reminisce.
Many many moons ago my brother was a ja & then went on to white lodge.
I remember him having to be a tree at audition (prob around 1990-1) and lots of measuring/height predictions etc
I have to say that although it was a commitment it didn't takeover our family life it was just another aspect to it. As the rubbish not in any way natural dancer I got regular trips to London for a day out, plenty of time at football with my dad.
White lodge was an amazingly inspirational place and equally a very weird & scary place.
Fritz in the nutcracker with Viviane Durante will be a lifelong memory as a very proud sister.
Good luck to those embarking on their journeys - it can be brutal but also fabulous.

orabel · 30/04/2017 13:23

New 2017 RBS JA thread on ballet co. Please remove if not allowed MNHQ.

www.balletcoforum.com/index.php?/topic/15256-rbs-junior-associates-2017/

I hope people continue to update here too! I shall be.

orabel · 30/04/2017 13:24

Apparently the auditions begin next week for some, so good luck to all those children (and parents).

elfonshelf · 02/05/2017 21:11

We've got the afternoon on the 2nd June in London Smile

amberbutton · 10/05/2017 11:36

Good luck to those auditioning this week. My child's audition is next week.

amberbutton · 12/05/2017 08:53

Does anyone know when we get the results? I think it was early June last time, but that seems very soon.

picturesoffirelight · 30/05/2017 17:19

Results were in mid June last year apparently.

Good luck to all with children auditioning in London this week. The last of the auditions I think.

LexieB · 06/06/2017 17:24

My DD auditioned for a Year 6 place on the 31st May. Last year she got the short waiting list. Results came out 2 1/2 weeks later for London auditions.It was 21st June last year that we got the email.Good Luck to everyone!!

Entrechat · 07/06/2017 17:21

Some people are predicting Newcastle results (the first to audition) might be out later this week!

My DD auditioned for the first Year 4. We were doing it for the experience, and probably not expecting to be successful as I think perhaps she's too tall and wouldn't fit the RB 'type'. However, getting quite nervous now that results are imminent.

Best of luck to everyone. I'll update when we receive the results.

LexieB · 09/06/2017 13:55

Newcastle results are out! It then tends to be a different centres results the following days.One per day in the order the auditions took place.

Entrechat · 10/06/2017 13:26

So Manchester, Birmingham, then Leeds next then. Is that likely to be next week do you think?

elfonshelf · 11/06/2017 19:04

Good luck to all waiting.

DD had a fantastic time at the audition and I'm so glad we entered her for that reason alone - they really made it a fun time for them all.

Imagine we will be in the last group for results as she was in the final audition group.

I'm not watching the emails as the chance in London for a girl is only around 7% and as a 'rising 8' for a Year 4 place, DD has even worse odds. If a miracle occurs then that will be amazing, but I've prepped her for a No.

littlehygge · 12/06/2017 12:18

Manchester results are out now!

So if Birmingham tomorrow, Leeds will be Wednesday, at a guess. We're waiting for Leeds results, expecting a no, but fingers crossed all the same.

littlehygge · 12/06/2017 14:40

Leeds results out too. Though my DS wasn't offered a place, unfortunately.

Good luck to everyone else.

LexieB · 12/06/2017 14:46

Hope your DS is not too disappointed. The odds are so small. Good Luck to everyone else still waiting x

BOBM1 · 14/06/2017 11:27

My DS had been offered SWL for Yr6 Birmingham, after two previous no's he's pretty happy. We know the chances of getting a place are slim, but you never know.

Best of luck to everyone still waiting for news x