Royal ballet junior associates

[FrenchFancie]

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?

Classical physique means that you have the sort of body suitable for ballet training. It makes it easier if your feet are strong for instance, or that your joints are flexible, or have long straight legs.

Hi everyone! My daughter is auditioning in London in May and I just wanted to say hi to fellow parents like me who are also on the same dance journey with their kids! 👋

We’re doing the audition in June. I’m very sure my daughter won’t get it and originally I just thought the experience would be fun and memorable. However, DH thinks it’s setting DD up for a disappointment she doesn’t need and thinks I should pull out. DD is a nice dancer (exam marks in the 70s) and it will be a great hobby for her long-term I hope but I’m not sure I should pursue this now.

I don't think you should pull out if your DC is happy to do the audition. Many do it for fun, or just for the experience. It's worth auditioning the next year, even if you're not accepted, as you may be the following year (we know of people who have been accepted after a couple of rejections, so in the final year of JAs).

There are so few spaces available, and competitive for girls especially, that it might be worth applying for other associates if you're looking for that sort of thing.

@GoingOnce our experience of the audition process was entirely positive and enjoyable. It is handled really well by the organisers and the kids go in happy and come out happy. The odds are stacked against you so we had no expectations of a place. You get an email afterwards so no awful public rejection or disappointment. I think DD had even forgotten it was anything more than a nice mum daughter day out with a bit of dance in the middle. She didn't get JAs but did dance with another associate scheme for a few years.

DD’s audition is in a couple of weeks. She’s a bit older (10) so this is her only chance before she gets too old, but we’ve had very open conversations with her about the chances of getting in - we assume, as does she, that she won’t get in. However, we are setting it up a a fun day out and maybe the chance to learn something new in the class (she did the insight class and, because something was explained in a slightly different way, it clicked in her head and has helped her in her dance lessons).

we figured that she gets the afternoon off school, we’ll have a nice lunch out and have some time together.

im glad the results come through via email, means we can chose how / when to tell her.

There is also, as I'm sure you may have heard, mid, and other RBS associates for older children. Even fewer places, and centres, available there though, and the JAs have to audition also, they're not assessed then moved up as with some other associates.

Good luck to everyone!

Good luck to everyone auditioning, and remember if it is a no, then it isn't a no forever, just this time. So many hundreds audition and only a handful get places each year. There are associate programmes run by other vocational dance schools including Elmhurst, Tring and Central, so there are other options to consider.

Dd did her audition today in Leeds - she’s had an amazing time! Although having now experienced trying to park in Leeds centre I’m secretly hoping she doesn’t get in!

it was such a lovely positive experience- even if she doesn’t get in (and let’s face it, she almost certainly won’t) she has enjoyed the whole process!

she’s not so keen on dancing at this stage that she wants to look to MA - the nearest centre is in Newcastle I think so would be hard for us to get to anyway….

I hate driving into Leeds. I usually use the market car park.

How are everyone’s auditions going? 2 weeks until ours!

Hi, anyone got an audition tomorrow at Covent Garden? We are very much treating it as a fun class taught by “proper ballerinas” and an ice-cream on the way home!

Nothing to add, just a "good luck" to those auditioning or waiting to hear! My DS was with Elmhurst Young Dancers for three years and loved every moment (especially the residentials).

Yes we have an audition tomorrow! Can I ask what year is the audition for? My DD is auditioning for Y5 (she’s currently in Y4).

Good luck everyone! It won't be too long until the results are out.

Yes we have an audition tomorrow! Can I ask what year is the audition for? My DD is auditioning for Y5 (she’s currently in Y4)

Hi, same, year 4 currently - we were at the 10am audition today. My daughter enjoyed it and we had ice-creams afterwards and a fun morning. Definitely not expecting anything from it but it was interesting and the people running it were very nice and reassuring. No big deal at all.

I was a JA a looonnngg time ago. It didn't lead anywhere for me as I was keen to study something academic at university but I loved it. The discipline, the friendships made and just being able to dance more.

Even if DD doesn't get in the audition will be loads of fun too. We always used to have McDonalds on the way home. It was that long ago, that burgers were a huge treat! Just go with no expectation and do the best she can. There will be lots of stagey ultra competetive girls there but the panel will notice EVERYTHING.

Yes my daughter loved it! Now we just have to wait for the results! So few places available but we had a lovely day out so it’ll be a special day to remember either way.

Thought I’d update to say that, as expected, DD didn’t get a spot. However, she did get the Cecchetti associates, which she’s delighted about.

We applied without knowing much about it. Was anyone else successful? I’m assuming it’s a lot easier to get in than RAD, but does anyone know the statistics of applicants v places? Just curious. It’s only a monthly class but will be a nice extra alongside regular classes.

How did others get on?

Is that the Warrington-based Cecchetti associates class? I didn't know that was still going.

If it's the same then my dd did this for a year around 3-4 years ago. The standard of teaching was good, and guest teachers, but the standard of some of the children varied a lot and I believe all/most who applied were accepted. They also stopped requirement to re audition once you had a place.

That said there were some high standard children there and the teaching made it a beneficial extra class to do.

I think Cecetti run at Rambert now.

There were a couple, or more, Cecchetti associates dotted around the country. At least I think I remember one London area, one Wales, and one in Warrington.

The London Cecchetti associates had the reputation for high standards and competition for places that I recall.

Yes, the Warrington one was at Kate Simmons wasn't it?

Yes, that's the one.

Though I've looked and I can't find it now. My dd joined prior to lockdown and a couple of classes were online. We declined the place the year after that as it clashed with something else dance related, so it was still going a year or two ago.