September 2015

[afab]

Recall audition also for DD1 at LSC! For both Musical Theatre and Jazz!!
Feeling a bit confused since the differences aren't very clear between the 2 courses...

Can someone explain them to me?

Lorry, our DDs must have auditioned at the same time... Mine did on the 15th... Was yours there too?

[jennifer1972]

\it's massively tricky

DD is doing the pre-voc at Performers & loving it - my parents paid for the course, uniform & pocket money and we are using our tax credits to pay for her accommodation (we got a very good deal) & food. it's very hard

However her dancing has developed amazingly as has her growth as a person (living by herself)

I think (personally) 4 hours commute would be too much - DD starts at 8, finishes at 4:30 & is asleep by 8:30

Am I right in thinking this is the college in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex? Would your DD recommend the course she is on to others?

[jennifer1972]

For most people it's about funding; so you accept the ones you can afford

But mainly you delay, delay, delay - until you know

That's what I thought, trouble is DD wants to go to Laine guess re mortgage will be on the cards if we can't get some help with funding, so stressed about it already, I guess it's not going to get any easier either

A question from a novice, why is Laine so expensive? Are the courses offered more expensive than in other places, or does it have a prestige that others don't?

[Katymac]

I thought they were all fairly similar - but tbh I'm not sure as unless DD gets A DaDA she can't really go

But the DaDA pays the fees plus some accommodation if you have the right level income & a proportion otherwise up to an income level of about £70,000 (atm)

The Performers course (in Stanford) has been amazing for her - far better than I anticipated tbh

[jennifer1972]

Thanks for that! From reading other posts, it just seems that expense seems to be an issue with Laine, which puts some people off and I didn't know why We are a couple of years away from the audition process but it seems an incredibly stressful process. Thanks to everyone who posts info. I'm finding it all really helpful.

[jasmine2]

Thanks for that! From reading other posts, it just seems that expense seems to be an issue with Laine, which puts some people off and I didn't know why We are a couple of years away from the audition process but it seems an incredibly stressful process. Thanks to everyone who posts info. I'm finding it all really helpful.

well done to all those with offers so far,,,,,I have to say that Laines is not the only expensive college. They are all expensive unless you can get on the degree courses and get a student loan to part fund it, or get a dada on the diploma course,
It is so hard to be offered a place then not be able to take up the offer due to financial circumstances.

DD is in her first year at Bodyworks Cambridge and is absolutely loving it....it is a struggle financially, but luckily she commutes everyday so no accommodation costs, and she managed to get a bit of funding through local charities and Arts Guilds to help with the fees...she also works part time so helps to pay for dance gear, travel etc..
It is worth researching who helps with the arts in your local area as there are people who can help...takes a lot of letter writing .lol xx

[Lorry]

Recall audition also for DD1 at LSC! For both Musical Theatre and Jazz!!
Feeling a bit confused since the differences aren't very clear between the 2 courses...

Can someone explain them to me?

Lorry, our DDs must have auditioned at the same time... Mine did on the 15th... Was yours there too?

Yes afab was there on the 15th, my DD said she can do recall for Jazz or Contempary and like you we are a little confused to !

[Janiceray]

Hi I am new to this all my DS audition in November for laine and with in the same week they sent letter with offer of fully funded place from them if he don't get Dada grant if anyone has any advice regarding accommodation funding or any other help I can get for him I would be really grateful as I not sure , also he got offer for urdang but has to go back for funding audition laine is his dream so he set on going I just wondered should he still go to urdang audition or stick with laine thank you.

[2dancersmum]

Congratulations to your DS for his offer from Laines, Janiceray . Personally I would still go to the Urdang audition and see what the outcome is. It would give him a better indication of what Urdang is like and if he is in the position of being able to choose will have more knowledge on which to base his decision. This is especially important when funding and finances are an issue as if the funding is different or terms of the offer are different, it can be a strong influence or a deciding factor for where to go. If you have student finance for a degree for example then you get funding for fees and accommodation (though likely a short fall on cost of accommodation). DADAs are income related so the amount you pay depends on your income and although it can be a real help with fees, for many people it offers no help for accommodation. I realise fully that kids get their heart set on a particular college but I also happen to have a DD who prior to auditions wanted college x or y but during the audition process changed her mind to z and has been very happy there.
Re other funding - your best bet is to use your local library and the internet to search for any charitable organisations in your area that give grants to individuals and get your DS to write to them stating his case. Online you can also search for national charities and see which you meet the criteria for and can apply to. It is a bit of a hit and miss process. I know of some who have obtained anything from a few hundred to a few thousand this way and others who got nothing. Some people start online fund raisers like 'Go fund me'. Again, amounts raised vary.
Whatever you decide, good luck.

[Janiceray]

Thank u 2dancermum for the help means a lot , D's has already been for one audition at urdang before the laine one and loved the whole place and vibe he said lol he then got the letter to say had a place but needs a funding audition. But after receiving the laine offer kind of swung to laine as u says the finances seemed better for him , I am hoping laine will send info on accommodation and any other things I need to sort eeeeee its all bit scary once again thanks .

[Pearl]

So next audition on Friday, Birds! A bit more nervous about this one as have heard different feedback on the audition day. Some have loved it others have said they didn't enjoy the day.
Any tips from anyone who has already done it x

[Lorry]

Oh good question Pearl I'm taking DD to Bird on Friday, I'm not sure which one of us is more nervous

[Lorry]

I have just gone over the copies of all the application forms my daughter sent to the different colleges, and where it asked if we can afford to fund she has said yes? I asked why she said what else was she meant to say? Does this mean that they will not look at her with a view of scholarships etc? It is only a few that have asked this.

Also is there much to do in Sidcup as I guess I will be waiting around all day on Friday

[Mummyaud]

Hi, we did Bird on 18th December, my DD is 16 and it was her first audition. She was meant to do Urdang before that but was ill so had to rebook that one for February. I was a bit nervous at her having Bird first as we have heard this is one of the hardest ones to get into and very dancey. My DD is strong actress and singer and although has danced since very young (disco freestyle) only started ballet, tap and modern 18 months ago so was a bit worried about the dance section. She had a fabulous day and came out on a total high - loved it. She did her acting and singing in the morning and her dance in the afternoon (the other group do it the other way round), I think she finished around 4.30pm, the other group finished earlier. The dance section was very performance based, I think it was a commercial jazz number, a number from "Memphis" and a 3rd routine (incorporating both ballet and jazz) they were taught and had to perform for the panel. They were pushed very hard and some said they were shaking when the came out but they all seemed upbeat as if they enjoyed it. The tutors were all lovely and very inspiring.

The day begins with coffee and a chat from the management team, our chat started quite late (after rushing to get there on time) we sat around until around 9.30am waiting for the chat to begin. It was fun and informative and I did not leave the college until around 10am. Sidcup is quite a small town but I passed my day fairly easily with a leisurely lunch and browsing. Did sit in the car and read the paper for an hour. There are several coffee shops and cafes though you could camp out in if cold.

They were told Bird are doing 40 audition dates (seem to be around 50 people at each one) and looks like there are maybe 100 or so places so well done to those that get an offer.

[Pearl]

Thanks for the info Mummyaud, do you know if they all get interviewed or do they cut some before!