Search found 84 matches

by woody
Thu Feb 25, 2016 7:02 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: How important is it to go to an 'accredited' school?
Replies: 16
Views: 12325

Re: How important is it to go to an 'accredited' school?

Funnygirl, don't really know the answer to that, it is what we were told by one of dd's teachers. It is probably worth doing some research into the various companies you're interested in and looking at where their dancers trained. For instance, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures Company has a fairly hi...
by woody
Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:45 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: How important is it to go to an 'accredited' school?
Replies: 16
Views: 12325

Re: How important is it to go to an 'accredited' school?

For dancers, particularly contemporary and classical, where you did your training is more important than ever these days. The majority of dance companies now hold closed auditions, and you need to apply to attend. One of the things they look at when deciding whether or not to call you for an auditio...
by woody
Sat Jan 09, 2016 3:32 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: HE Dance ... Uni or Conservatoire ... which course ?
Replies: 7
Views: 7065

Re: HE Dance ... Uni or Conservatoire ... which course ?

Forgot to mention - another college is Stella Mann
by woody
Sat Jan 09, 2016 3:31 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: HE Dance ... Uni or Conservatoire ... which course ?
Replies: 7
Views: 7065

Re: HE Dance ... Uni or Conservatoire ... which course ?

Keep an eye out for open days, many of the colleges have them and it will be a good experience.

Something else for your diary is the MoveIt exhibition in London in March, it is dedicated to all things dance, and most of the colleges have stands. There are also dance performances and workshops too.
by woody
Tue Dec 29, 2015 1:33 pm
Forum: Dance section
Topic: National Youth Ballet
Replies: 4
Views: 8482

Re: National Youth Ballet

Extremely high standard and particularly difficult to get into for girls, I believe they have already held the auditions for 2016 season though.
by woody
Sun Oct 25, 2015 7:25 pm
Forum: Dance section
Topic: Not sure exams are legitimate?
Replies: 46
Views: 56463

Re: Not sure exams are legitimate?

Caveat emptor.
by woody
Fri Oct 16, 2015 10:28 am
Forum: Dance section
Topic: Not sure exams are legitimate?
Replies: 46
Views: 56463

Re: Not sure exams are legitimate?

There is another set-up on the horizon which is giving me similar qualms. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to say who, but the whole thing looks to me like an elaborate system of smoke-and-mirrors and eminently plausible-looking to the unwary, and I'm just waiting for that one to blow up too.
by woody
Wed Oct 07, 2015 2:32 pm
Forum: Dance section
Topic: Phoenix associates
Replies: 8
Views: 11042

Re: Phoenix associates

They look like monthly workshops to me. I've had a look at their website and notice that there is no audition process - I don't know of any other associate programme that doesn't hold auditions! Their Intermediate group is Grade 3+; and the requirement for the Advanced group is only from Grade 5+ wh...
by woody
Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:35 am
Forum: Training
Topic: Pre audition courses
Replies: 11
Views: 7910

Re: Pre audition courses

They do workshops and taster days at Tring as well.
by woody
Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:33 am
Forum: Training
Topic: 16-17 oyster card - London
Replies: 6
Views: 5126

Re: 16-17 oyster card - London

Finally managed it after about 7 hours of hair-tearing, half of which was on the phone.
by woody
Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:52 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: 16-17 oyster card - London
Replies: 6
Views: 5126

Re: 16-17 oyster card - London

I put our address as the same as DD's London one, and the online process was fine until it came to the payment when it asked whether the card we were paying with was registered to that address. Well no, since I don't live there, and DD hasn't moved in yet, so her bank card is at our address as well....
by woody
Tue Sep 01, 2015 1:26 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: 16-17 oyster card - London
Replies: 6
Views: 5126

16-17 oyster card - London

Can anyone advise please, as we are having a nightmare applying for this. DD is 16 and is starting her course soon, living in London, so qualifies for the half-price Oyster card and free bus travel. However, on the TFL website parents have to apply if they are under 18 and since we don't live in Lon...
by woody
Sun Aug 23, 2015 4:52 pm
Forum: Dance section
Topic: Pointe Shoes
Replies: 15
Views: 19199

Re: Pointe Shoes

One more thing - it is easiest if they wear convertible tights for a fitting, so the fitter can look at their bare feet and maybe add toe spacers or individual toe padding if necessary.
by woody
Mon Jul 13, 2015 7:58 pm
Forum: Training
Topic: What to do at 16?
Replies: 87
Views: 60087

Re: What to do at 16?

It will probably be worth doing some auditions at 16, as it will be a good experience and you will know what to expect when auditioning at 18. Yes, some degree-level courses funded by student loans are available for 16-year-olds and my dd will be starting hers in Sept. The best way to find out is by...
by woody
Wed May 27, 2015 12:25 pm
Forum: Dance section
Topic: Dance summer schools SW London / Surrey
Replies: 6
Views: 7412

Re: Dance summer schools SW London / Surrey

West London School of Dance has a summer school from age 8 upwards. Details on their website (sorry don't know how to post link).