English youth ballet-is this a ridiculous idea

[Notaballetmum]

Dd is 9. She does one dance class (45 mins ballet, 15 mins tap) a week in the village hall-it’s a lovely class but no exams or grades or anything.

There is an audition for the English youth ballet coming up locally and she says she would like to go to it. I’ve fully briefed her that she’s very unlikely to get accepted but she says she’d like to go just for the experience of being taught by ‘proper ballerinas’

From what I’ve read the audition takes the form of a class but I’m worried she will be completely out of depth. I imagine the other dancers /parents will be focused on themselves/their children so won’t be looking at her but I don’t want her to be ridiculed.

Would it be unkind to put her in that situation even though she says she doesn’t mind?

The audition takes the form of a ballet class, so no practising is needed, ilovesushi and all the steps are demonstrated by the member of EYB staff taking the class. Everyone is in rows, and take turns at the front, with the front row moving to the back at the end of each exercise. They adapt the steps to suit the age groups, and if you don't know something, then just give it a go with a smile. Lots of others will be inexperienced too, and most of the time you will have people in front of you to copy.

Parents watch the whole thing.

Sorry, only just saw your question Ilove. But Baldrick has already answered it. My one tip would be don’t arrive super early, as then your dd won’t be in the front row to start with (they rotate rows to the front, but less scary if you’re not first!).

That's funny Binger because mine always insisted on getting there early so she could be No1

Thanks for the tips! Definitely don't want her to be girl no.1!!! Aiming now to hit the middle of the queue! Enough time for her to get the feel of it and perform with confidence, but not enough time for the panel to feel tired and wilted! I feel happier with a strategy, even if is a nonsense one! We'll see what happens...

Op have you changed your name?
How did she get on?

We’re here now! She doesn’t stand out as completely terrible but the majority of the rest are clearly of a higher standard and know what they’re doing.
Aghh! I’m just proud she is giving it a go.

Have to say everyone seems lovely and so far I think she’s enjoying the experience

Oh I’m so gutted for her-they called out her number at the end by mistake . It was only a matter of seconds until they told her to sit down again but obviously that was enough time for her to be so excited

She’s taken it really well. (Better than DH who is fuming that they could have made such a mistake!)

oh no - that is really bad they made a mistake like that, poor girl. We were at a festival once where she gave the medal to someone and then took it off them when she realised she had made a mistake, they were only 8! She will have learned a lot just from the experience of doing it though and often children do take mistakes and things a lot better than us.

OP- have sent you a PM.