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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 junior associates

52 replies

FrenchFancie · 21/02/2023 07:23

Just wondering if anyone else’s DC are going for this, as I know applications open today for auditions. It’s never been on our horizon before but DD tried an insight class during half term and loved it, and wants to audition. She’s 10 and, due to living abroad until recently, this has never been an option. I was a bit scared of all the talk about photos and things at the insight day!!

i know the acceptance rate is very low, and DD doesn’t do lots of dance, so I’m assuming that she won’t get in (we have spoken in a gentle way with her about this, and she’s still keen to try the audition for the experience of it).

anyone else applying in the next few days?

OP posts:
77toozy · 21/02/2023 08:03

My friends who's dd's have gone on to be professional ballet dancers both auditioned so I heard lots about it. Two main things came out of it. 1)whatever the dancer has previously learnt will be scrapped and they'll be taught from the ground-up once again for micro perfection. 2) Many many dancers don't get in purely because their body measurements don't fall within the very strict criteria. This includes measurements during stretches/poses.

77toozy · 21/02/2023 08:04

The measuring isn't about stretchability but proportion. Very few are born with the exact proportions required.

GoingOnce · 21/02/2023 10:56

Hello, I have been considering this too. DD is 9 and a lovely dancer but I think probably too tall. Do you know what the proportions required are?

Comefromaway · 21/02/2023 11:04

No-one really knows. They are very cagey.

nelanina · 21/02/2023 11:07

My dd auditioned years for the JAs years ago and was offered a place off the waiting list. We asked for feedback (or rather the teacher did) in the first instance.

They're also looking for potential, classical physique (to include good feet), musicality etc The audition will include stretches to assess turnout etc They do things like splits, frog stretch on back and that sort of thing.

FictionalCharacter · 21/02/2023 11:07

If you join BalletcoForum there are usually lots of posts about this in the “doing dance” topic.
https://www.balletcoforum.com/

nelanina · 21/02/2023 11:09

GoingOnce · 21/02/2023 10:56

Hello, I have been considering this too. DD is 9 and a lovely dancer but I think probably too tall. Do you know what the proportions required are?

I wouldn't let being tall put you off auditioning. There were taller girls who were JAs and MAs that we knew.

Elouie · 21/02/2023 22:12

If your DD wants to apply. Go for it! Just be mindful that there are hundreds of applicants and so few spaces. But someone has to have that space.

You can't work out what they look for, DD was a JA for 3 years (recently) and really struggles with flexibility. She is now in MAs and still has the same struggles. Nor does she have amazing feet however these have improved over the years.

What DD does have is a pure love of dance and musicality and it shows.

They do certain stretches to assess range of turnout etc... but this isn't a deal breaker otherwise DD wouldn't have got in.

DD loved the discipline of JAs and going back to basics and dancing with likeminded girls and boys.

You've got nothing to lose by giving it a go. The audition classes are usually a treat in themselves.

Good luck.

nelanina · 21/02/2023 22:43

They do certain stretches to assess range of turnout etc... but this isn't a deal breaker otherwise DD wouldn't have got in.

Lack of flexibility, turnout, and bad feet yet being accepted surprises me! Lack of general flexibility at JA application age, is usually fine, though. My daughter didn't have box splits (only front) but her frog stretch (turnout) was flat.

One of dd's friends couldn't point her feet, and had little flexibility, and behind in technique terms, but she had good turnout and sway back legs.

Elouie · 22/02/2023 07:21

DD doesn't have bad feet, just not amazing feet. And her turnout is fine I was mainly referring to the lack of flexibility she has.

Elouie · 22/02/2023 07:24

I realise the bit you've quoted made it sound like she didn't have good turnout either! My error it should of said they do stretches to assess range of turnout and flexibility. I was referring to lack of flexibility as not being a deal breaker.

MithrilCostsMore · 22/02/2023 07:30

If she is serious, lots of dance schools do associate schemes. Some are more well known than others. As a guide you want to be looking for schools that teach RAD ballet alongside another syllabus (usually IDTA or ISTD). I'd advise applying to a few, not just Royal. Also, look at increasing the number of ballet classes she does and try to include a stretch and conditioning class too.

Original poster
FrenchFancie · 22/02/2023 07:39

Her flexibility is not great, but she’s choosing to work on this daily between now and her audition. She’s almost flat on the frog stretch, the rest is a bit ropey if we are honest! She loves dance and music though, she’s one of those kids that dances about the place all the time just because she can!
At the insight class she was praised by the teacher for her musicality, and how she responded to feedback and tried hard to take on board what she was told.

who knows what the outcome will be? She’s just keen to try for the fun of it, I think. We are also looking at Northen Ballet associates but might have missed the deadline. She’s in a RAD school atm but there’s no stretch or conditioning class, her teacher hasn’t mentioned it.

OP posts:
ilovesushi · 22/02/2023 08:39

My DD auditioned a few years ago. She didn't get a place but the experience itself was very positive and enjoyable. Parents don't go in but DD reported back that they did various stretches, looked at their feet, did some very simple dance steps and had them improvise to a piece of music.

nelanina · 22/02/2023 09:13

MithrilCostsMore · 22/02/2023 07:30

If she is serious, lots of dance schools do associate schemes. Some are more well known than others. As a guide you want to be looking for schools that teach RAD ballet alongside another syllabus (usually IDTA or ISTD). I'd advise applying to a few, not just Royal. Also, look at increasing the number of ballet classes she does and try to include a stretch and conditioning class too.

Yes, I agree to consider other associates. My dd was also an Elmhurst Young Dancer and several of the other girls did both. The teaching quality was excellent.

MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 22/02/2023 09:14

I know quite a few girls and boys that have auditioned for junior associates and have got in. This has been in Newcastle and Leeds. They have studied ballet using the IDTA syllabus doing 2-3 hours of ballet a week along side modern jazz, contemporary, tap and theatre craft.
They all benefited from it, most have become professional dancers. I've heard nothing but positive feedback from it.

nelanina · 22/02/2023 09:18

I've also heard good things about Moorland Ballet Associates depending on where you are in the country.

bendmeoverbackwards · 22/02/2023 13:23

Depending on where you live you could also look at Tring Park Classical Ballet Academy.

Kitcaterpillar · 22/02/2023 13:30

I used to audition for things when I was young - it's a fun day in itself. You feel like a big girl, you get to meet people who like the same things as you, mum might buy you some tea on the way home (😉). As long as your DD is realistic, I think it's a great thing to do.

taxi4ballet · 22/02/2023 15:15

Lack of current flexibility isn't a dealbreaker, what they do is assess potential facility. You can increase flexibility in muscles and tendons, but you can't change the way your bones and joints are constructed.

Having too much flexibility can actually be a disadvantage, and put the dancer at greater risk of injury.

Purplebunnie · 08/03/2023 19:46

A long time since my DD was auditioning so not sure if Elmhurst, Central Ballet School and London Junior/Senior still have associate training

Balletcoforum is the place to go - lots of extremely helpful people on here

livingthegoodlife · 16/03/2023 20:33

2 of my children are JA students. I'm not an expert but from looking at my own children & the others in their classes I think they look for turn out, good feet, bounce (jumping from on the spot), petite - in proportion so not massively long legs or torso, musicality etc.

One of my children dances for only 1 hour a week purely ballet and the other is a dance nut dancing lots of hours in all genres.

Both adore their JA lessons. The classes are v disciplined and back to basics.

Good luck everyone who has auditioned! It's a fabulous journey.

nelanina · 17/03/2023 11:56

petite - in proportion so not massively long legs or torso, musicality etc.

Petite as in slim, but heights were average and some tall. I'd also say they seem to have longer legs and shorter torsos, but there are also exceptions. You can be too short for ballet (some companies have minimum heights) and not wanting to put off taller people auditioning. And remember Darcey Bussell was 5ft 7.

And I've never seen so many high insteps and sway back legs in one place (same for Elmhurst etc) so definitely desirable, though you either have those or you don't.

GoldenFarfalle · 02/04/2023 17:10

nelanina · 21/02/2023 11:07

My dd auditioned years for the JAs years ago and was offered a place off the waiting list. We asked for feedback (or rather the teacher did) in the first instance.

They're also looking for potential, classical physique (to include good feet), musicality etc The audition will include stretches to assess turnout etc They do things like splits, frog stretch on back and that sort of thing.

Hello, what's classical physique please? I'm Polish so english is my second language. My youngest is attending a ballet class and he really wants to become a ballet dancer.

GoingOnce · 03/04/2023 14:06

It’s thought that classical physique - for girls anyway - is long legs, short body, long neck, round face. Who know though, I’m sure if a dancer is very talented some of these things are overlooked.