Extra dance class while doing level 3s

[Katymac]

That is an amazing amount of information & it will need digesting and initially tbh what I have seen from level 3 shows/open days substantiates it. We saw a show at one college and DD pulled it to pieces, timing was off, they weren't moving together, not everyone extended through each move to the end, the choreography was OK but the spacing was off.

It does leave me kind of 'dead in the water'

DD's ballet teacher is convinced DD would get a place at a 'dance' college (level 6); but is less sure about MT (DD can sing......it's just not her best skill). But even if she does what about funding.

There is a lot of pressure from school to have a backup plan (ideally involving A levels - but I can't work out how A levels fits with 2/3 hrs a night dance - where does the homework go)

I've said it before - I wish they came with a (named) user manual

[Katymac]

Her teacher is convinced she should do dance; she is working on exams atm & her teacher keeps shaking her head & muttering the examiner is going to love you

DD wants to be in Chicago & the Lion King & Hairspray so wants musical theatre ; I think this may change as she matures - but it's where she is at 'right now'

[islandofsodor]

I think she'd love the course at Doreen Bird. She will have to sing at audition but just to show she's willing to have a go. They'll train properly once they are there.

[Katymac]

She feels she isn't right for Bird or Laine - as she isn't 'traditional' enough looking

Her teacher wants Arts Ed or Performers or is it 'The Centre'?

But it's back up that I need to prove I'm not being neglectful and for when she doesn't get funding as thousands don't get funding, do they?

[JayLou62]

The advice my dd was given was to audition as widely as possible. Laine take a mix of people - different shapes and sizes so all you can do is try. I don't know much about Bird except that a dance student we know had her heart set on Bird, attended summer schools there and was offered a 1 yr Foundation course. She now has a place at Laine, after auditioning later.
I would suggest trying for the higher level courses but have a Plan B in case. My older dd is trying for University Musical Theatre courses (2014 entry) but if unsuccessful will go to a local dance college to up her dance level and work on a Singing Diploma, DDI teaching qualification and Acting exams.

[Kitschqueen]

I'm confused....doesn't take much believe me!!

If level 3 FE college courses don' t offer the right standard of dance why bother going to one?

Surely it is better to stay on at a local 6th form, get A levels ( which are classed as level 3), continue with dd's local dance school and associate schemes, singing lessons etc, then apply for full time training at 18.

Is there really the pressure to go away to MT/PA colleges at 16 as there is for classical ballet 6th forms?

I would have thought good A levels, dance grades, renowned associate and CAT schemes would carry as much weight (if not more) as a local FE dance college.

Maybe I'm completely wrong and many apologies if so.

Also really confused why your dd does not feel she is "traditional enough" for certain full time colleges. I went to Move It this year as did you and I saw college showcases where there were diverse groups of fabulous young people from a range of ethnic backgrounds, never mind the difference in shapes and sizes!! Your dd Katymac is beautiful and should audition where ever she feels she will get the best training.

So glad my dd is following a contemporary dance route.....so much more straight forward!!

Good luck to you both x

[Katymac]

I'm not sure she could manage A levels and Dance there aren't enough hours in the day. She has a couple of friends doing Alevels and they are stidying 3-4 hours a night; which tbh DD doesn't have.

She has a friend who auditioned for Bird & they were very disparaging about her weight & DD felt if they were like that at interview it might not be a good environment to be in.

Thanks for your lovely comments; but she isn't in a CAT anymore, all she has is her ordinary dance class. She has come on amazingly (I'll send you tube links to anyone who PMs me )

I suppose it comes down to the choice between MT & dance

[riverdancefan]

I see your dilemma..
I agree with you are regards the local FE college course BTECH ( well the ones local to me)
DS is no snob and open to all options but he has seen some productions to support friends and he was scathing ( only to me)of the standard... Very low indeed, to even consider going would be plain wrong for DS. Is it right for your DD?

He needs A levels in academic subjects so that's what he will do and continue vocational training outside.

Your DD would need extra dance for sure, tap, ballet etc etc ... If she were to attend a local college post 16 - I can only speak for my local ones., others may be totally different?

Foundation courses in MT do attract scholarships, but for me the travel and stress at 16 isn't an attractive option for DS
I get the impression you are tying yourself in knots with this and really don't need to...she seems to have a fantastic dance teacher
!
I feel strongly that in this fickle world of performing they need a plan B ..
Sorry son! It's A level!!! he would rather not of course !
And NOT in dance!!!

[Katymac]

I know, I worry too much! I have anxiety about the unknown; I have created coping techniques which help me.

These involve making mental flow charts about possible outcomes, then I 'know' what will happen whatever the outcome is.

So if she gets into level 6 this happens, if it's level 3 then that happens, if she can't dance then something else happens.

I guess it's a bit sad/pathetic but it's a coping technique that calms me.

Unfortunately I can't always come up with an optuion by myself so I sound it out (on here, on Mumsnet etc) to get my head around all the variables. Which is prehaps selfish of me....sorry



You are right - her teacher is amazing; but DD is a teenager and somewhat unpredictable!

[Kitschqueen]

I feel strongly that in this fickle world of performing they need a plan B ..

I agree with you RDF, A levels are definitely happening in this household too with a degree in French and History if something changes over the next two years which stops her pursuing a career in dance.

Like your dd Katymac, my dd's CAT tutors are adamant she has the potential to have a career in contemporary dance but she is also very academic and absolutely loves the French language.

At the moment we are researching full time contemporary dance training in France or other French speaking countries so she can study dance but also immerse herself in the language and culture.

There are no predictors for the future and so many factors other than talent have to be taken into consideration. However because our dc's tend to be so driven,focused and hard working ( plus they have the full support of amazing parents), I'm sure they will be successful in what ever they choose to do whether it be in the field of performing arts or not.

Plus I take your point about them being teenagers and very fickle but they also suffer from dents to their self-confidence during adolescence too. I know when my dd announces ' I"m not going to do dance as a career anymore!' I know what she really means is 'I'm worried I'm not good enough'. I believe they just need to have the tools to be able to keep their options open and for us to be able to make informed decisions when they need to be made.

[riverdancefan]

I know, I worry too much! I have anxiety about the unknown; I have created coping techniques which help me.

These involve making mental flow charts about possible outcomes, then I 'know' what will happen whatever the outcome is.

So if she gets into level 6 this happens, if it's level 3 then that happens, if she can't dance then something else happens.

I guess it's a bit sad/pathetic but it's a coping technique that calms me.

Unfortunately I can't always come up with an optuion by myself so I sound it out (on here, on Mumsnet etc) to get my head around all the variables. Which is prehaps selfish of me....sorry



You are right - her teacher is amazing; but DD is a teenager and somewhat unpredictable!

Not selfish!! Just a caring Mum who wants the best! - if we can help at all post away!!

[riverdancefan]

I feel strongly that in this fickle world of performing they need a plan B ..

I agree with you RDF, A levels are definitely happening in this household too with a degree in French and History if something changes over the next two years which stops her pursuing a career in dance.

Like your dd Katymac, my dd's CAT tutors are adamant she has the potential to have a career in contemporary dance but she is also very academic and absolutely loves the French language.

At the moment we are researching full time contemporary dance training in France or other French speaking countries so she can study dance but also immerse herself in the language and culture.

There are no predictors for the future and so many factors other than talent have to be taken into consideration. However because our dc's tend to be so driven,focused and hard working ( plus they have the full support of amazing parents), I'm sure they will be successful in what ever they choose to do whether it be in the field of performing arts or not.

Wow Kitchqueen!! What an interesting route to go down.... Fascinating!! Please post more about your DD as she decides what to do.... Would love to hear about her choices

X

[2dancersmum]

Katymac you have a list of lots of colleges offering the level 6 diploma. Paulears is correct in that it is a lot of work, either at 16 or at 18 years of age and there is an academic side to it as well as the dance/acting/singing but the diploma is not as academic as the BA degree courses. The diplomas do offer the student of doing the extra academic credits distance learning whilst working (I=ie after graduating with the diploma) but I'm not sure how many students actually do this.
From how I see it the aim is to get a funded place at a level 6 diploma college. Competition is between students entering at 16 (often stronger in dance) and those entering at 18. There will always be more disappointed students than successful ones. Some of those applying at 18 will have tried at 16 and then trained locally to get to the required standards but others do not even want to apply until 18.
If unsuccessful at 16 then you need a back up plan in place.
Foundation course at one of the big colleges if successful and can afford it.(1 year)
A levels and local training
BTECH at local FE college - standards do vary considerably and often ballet is only a very small part of the course (2 years)
Level 3 diplomas at dance colleges that only offer dance/musical theatre and aim for getting their students onto level 6 courses aged 18.(2 years)
Which back up plan you have will depend on what is available and affordable for you.
DDs back up plan was A levels and local training as her ballet school took dancers up to solo seal and did other genres at higher grades too. She would have done 3 A levels not the normal 4 her school demands as the work load would have been huge. Several of her friends have taken this option as they wanted to go at 18 and they have secured places this year at Laines, Performers, Urdang, Bird.
Others are at a local FE college. Our local one is supposed to be very good but the ballet is lower standard than DD. In the past older friends have gone onto Bird, MADD and one whose name escapes me. Two friends this year have been at BOA, taking A levels alongside their level 3 and are happy there.

[islandofsodor]

Would you be able to fund her living away from home costs if she was able to get into a Jevel 3 course funded by an FE college but actually run by a Miss X dance school person in conjunction with that dance school.

There are two such courses local to me.

[Robsmumma]

My dd dropped out of A levels after her as exams as she had realised she wanted to perform! As it was quite late in the year most of the well known colleges had finished auditions. I found a college called Stageworks in Cambridgeshire that was still taking students on the level 3 so she auditioned and accepted a funded place. The dance audition was surprisingly easy but thought nothing of it. So she moved to Buckden.

BIG MISTAKE

Dance offered on course was very basic. Dd has danced since the age of two.
She had reached intermediate Rad ballet passing all exams with distinction. College offered some ballet we had never heard of and were continually correcting dd for arms in wrong place, head wrong etc. It was very frustrating.

NO tap at all.

Modern was grade 5, which she had passed at age 12 with 95%. This also drove her crazy as they started from square one as some of the others had never done modern before.

She lasted one term of the two year course !

All I can is be careful what you choose because even though we paid for extra evening classes at the college, the course drove her crazy!

Nothing against the college and they are actually very successful but in hindsight wished we had bypassed it!