ANyone's DD at the Washington school of ballet?

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old loves Ballet. I was looking at the washington school of ballet website and saw that they have (gasp) auditions for 5 year olds. Any insider info?

[Anonymous]

My daughter auditioned at 6 and has been at the school for two years. It's a bit of a scene when you get to the school and see all these little girls in pink with numbers pinned to their leotards, but I think the audition was fairly lowkey. From what my daughter told me, it sounded like they did a short class.

I have no idea what they're looking for other than the ability to follow instructions. Most of the young girls I see are fairly thin (but not unusually so), but I have seen a few chubbier kids, too. My daughter is not naturally flexible (can't do a split), so I know that's not a disqualifying factor!

Do know that the school is expensive, requires a one-year commitment at a time, and is not for girls who will chafe at repeating the same small movements over and over. The teachers are good, the instruction is age-appropriate, and the kids have fun, but the approach is relatively serious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter auditioned at 6 and has been at the school for two years. It's a bit of a scene when you get to the school and see all these little girls in pink with numbers pinned to their leotards, but I think the audition was fairly lowkey. From what my daughter told me, it sounded like they did a short class.

I have no idea what they're looking for other than the ability to follow instructions. Most of the young girls I see are fairly thin (but not unusually so), but I have seen a few chubbier kids, too. My daughter is not naturally flexible (can't do a split), so I know that's not a disqualifying factor!

Do know that the school is expensive, requires a one-year commitment at a time, and is not for girls who will chafe at repeating the same small movements over and over. The teachers are good, the instruction is age-appropriate, and the kids have fun, but the approach is relatively serious.

thank you

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have a DS there?

I have a DS who has been doing ballet for 2 yrs, but we're looking to switch schools--I don't think the one he's in is really equipped for boys.

thanks.

Oh, he's just about to turn 6.

[Anonymous]

My DD has two boys in her class. They take a boys-only class in addition to the regular one. From my casual observation, boys at WSB seem to walk on water. Expect a heavy performing schedule for the Nutcracker!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD has two boys in her class. They take a boys-only class in addition to the regular one. From my casual observation, boys at WSB seem to walk on water. Expect a heavy performing schedule for the Nutcracker!

thanks....they walk on water because they have to be really talented, or they walk on water because there are so few of them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD has two boys in her class. They take a boys-only class in addition to the regular one. From my casual observation, boys at WSB seem to walk on water. Expect a heavy performing schedule for the Nutcracker!

thanks....they walk on water because they have to be really talented, or they walk on water because there are so few of them?

Not the PP but I think it's the latter.