College dilemma - Bird or Urdang?

[Axie]

Hi. It has been ages (perhaps years) since I have been on here and came across the site again whilst googling! We have a happy dilemma and wondered if anyone out that had some advice. My DS announced in January that he wanted to audition for MT college this year, which took me by surprise. He has been very lucky and has been offered Urdang with some funding and Bird with a DaDa. He is a dancer who does a little acting and singing. His dance teacher was so pleased and said that Bird only offer a few DaDas each year. I have no idea if that is the case. Also said Urdang is a great college too. My DS is confused and can't decide. The journey to Urdang would be easier and he did enjoy his audition there a little more than Bird. I have been told that Urdang put on more of a show for their auditions, whilst Bird doesn't so much. I don't want him to be swayed by that. If he goes to Bird he will need accommodation. But he likes both colleges. Is there anything between them? I didn't get to visit Urdang and we didn't go to any open days. Liked Bird but suspect I would also like Urdang! Hope this doesn't sound silly but have no idea how he should choose and he is looking to me for advice! Any advice on comparisons between the colleges would be appreciated. So lovely to see that lots of others have also been offered their 1st choices.

[jasmine2]

Hi
You could always contact Urdang to see if you can visit on a normal teaching day..then you will get a real feel for the place.

[Axie]

Thank you! Sounds sensible. Might suggest to my DS that he goes and has a look. He has friends at Urdang who love it, but they are MT and love their singing. He has known friends go through Bird but not recently. I would just like a decision made so we can all relax a bit and plan!

[Pearl]

Hi Axie, my dd is starting at Urdang in September. We watched the end of year shows last year and that was actually a big part of why she chose Urdang over Birds.
We found that the Urdang show had a wider variety of dance and musical theatre, where Birds seemed to be more weighted on musical theatre.
Both colleges have brilliant reputations so which ever he chooses he will get a fab training

[Billyfan]

My DS is at Urdang. He sounds similar - was very much a dancer who only took up acting/ singing very late ( when realised serious about muscial theatre). Urdang may give more flexibility through their tracking system and you can concentrate more heavily on dance from year 2, if that is the right route. But both colleges must have seen potential in your DS to have had such great offers and both will ensure he covers all disciplines.

Both colleges are great with superb reputations and teaching - as you say a very happy dilema. Does your DS have a gut feeling to which he would prefer ? Does he want to be in Central London ? You could look at some of the showreels available on line to get a better feel - but I agree I'm sure a visit to Urdang would be possible and might help.


Good luck with the decision making.

[Axie]

Thank you so much for your replies! Am sure a decision will be made soon. Thought we'd get along to watch the end of year shows and would have done that last year if I had known he wanted to go this September. DS has always been a little bit last minute when it comes to these things. Takes it all in his stride and leaves me feeling nervous...