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Congratulations to everyone graduating from dance schools and colleges this week and wishing their parents a lovely time as they look on proudly at final performances and graduation ceremonies.

We'll be very proud parents watching our son graduate from Elmhurst tomorrow.  This moment seemed so far away (and maybe never possible) when he started out at his first RBS JA class.  It hasn't been easy - for him physically, with various injuries, homesickness, and the change of schools, and for us emotionally while we've supported him, as well as financially - but we got there in the end and he'll be starting out on his career as a professional ballet dancer in less than a month .  I'm told the first time you see them perform as professionals makes it all worthwhile So, so proud of him

And breathe........

Hi everyone,

 

Just had to share some fantastic news - my dd has been offered a place at Rambert!

 

This has been her dream since starting at her CAT aged 11, when she was introduced to contemporary dance. Since then she has loved ballet and contemporary equally so to be able to go to Rambert at 16 means the world to her  

 

Good luck to everyone still auditioning and waiting for results - it is an agonising process (for us parents anyway!)

 

Klaris x 

 

 

 

 

the results are in and it is a Yes.

My dd has finally returned from her school trip.

I can now reveal that 2 weeks ago she was offered a place at Central.

It was so good to give her a big hug and celebrate!

Time to change my username.

I probably have a different perspective, speaking as the parent of a child who has never auditioned for a vocational school and probably never will, but I do find it terribly sad to read talk of students "wasting their time" if they are not being successful at auditions. Probably it's not meant the way it comes across, but I think it's a concept that needs to be challenged. To my mind, if someone enjoys dancing and it brings pleasure to themselves and to others, how can that ever be a waste of time? Of course it is wonderful for those students who are ultimately able to earn their living doing what they love, but there is so much more to it than that. As previous posters have said, only a tiny percentage of students will "make it" as classical ballet dancers, but that doesn't mean that the rest have wasted their time. If my DD is anything to go by they will have had numerous life enhancing experiences and brought a great deal of enjoyment to other people along the way. I think that sometimes in the fiercely competitive world which many students inhabit, it is all too easy to forget that ballet is an art form and to see a lack of progression to the next desired stage as "failure". I really don't think that's true and think it is marvellous that so many young people are filling their lives with this beautiful art form, wonderful music, physical effort and artistry. When you think of all the bad press that youngsters get nowadays, it's brilliant that we have such hard working, expressive and dedicated children. Whether they end up as principals in internationally famous ballet companies or dancing on stage in a local theatre, or just in the studio for their own pleasure, ALL of our children are wonderful and none of them are wasting their time.

Hey guys - couldn't resist sharing this story!

 

My Russian Ballet School and Russian Youth Ballet Company are doing a production of Swan Lake in April, and I have been lucky enough to be cast as Rothbart (Acts II-IV), Spanish (Act III) and the Tutor (Act I). Tonight we were getting different parts of our costume: for me it was my Act III dual Rothbart/Spanish costume. 

 

I tried on my black and ruby top (one of those ones that come down to midriff level) and my teachers told me to try on a few pairs of ballet boots to see which fit. I ended up with a knee high pair that look pretty awesome (and rather in character). I then proceeded to look at some writing on the inside of the cuff which said who the previous owner was.... Jonathan Cope! I nearly fainted with shock! Turns out my ballet teachers have bought a few boots from the Royal Ballet and Mr Cope's were the best fit for me

Needless to say, the boots have inspired me to work even harder to try and remotely do them justice in the performances in April. Just thought I'd share! 

Well, FINALLY some good news!!! DD now an SA at Northern Ballet
F xxx (best of luck to everyone else) xxx

Thought I would let you know the final decision.  Because she has had an offer of practical help with lodgings from a friend at schools parents (who live within easy tube travel) and the tube being do-able....she is going to ENB.  Am feeling very nervous this morning as everything has been put on the line and I have turned down her MDS offer at Tring (no easy decision as I LOVE the school and the teaching there...) but in the end we have gone with what dd wants as it could be do-able and I pray it is the right decision.  Time will tell...but at least she won't have regrets about not trying to make it happen.

Meanwhile, some littl'un from the waiting list is going to get a lovely surprise when an offer of an MDS come through today  

But schools have waiting lists, don't they, so if a child doesn't take up his or her place then I assume the child at the top of the waiting list would be offered the place.

It is not for parents to have to justify here why they may send their children to more than one final audition.  As I say, while the schools allow the practice, it is every parent's perogative to let their child audition.  Nothing will be achieved by going round in circles about whether it's right or wrong.

I agree, S&P, its yet another very personal one - everyone has the right to their final audition, its no different than those who gain a place and then find out they cant afford it - its not for us to question why or deny others an opporutnity.

My daughter is having to pick up the pieces after devastating news that she has been assessed out and she has done so with her head held high and enthusiasm for the next adventure - whatever that may be, and 'whys'and 'what if's' just delay the healing process.

There are so few places/opportunities for lower schools - a no is just a change of path for this year, who knows what next year will bring.  The thought of having my daughter come home is a feeling which brings greater excitement than opening that 'yes' letter, I know she is very fortunate to have had the opportunity but for those who children who are staying home in September, please enjoy being able to give them a hug before school, help them with their homework, support them through dance exams, and having the freedom to be part of their lives - its something to treasure.

Just got hold of RBS and my dd has a JA place for september! One very excited little girl!

Unlike many of the DCs on here, my DD doesn't aspire to a career as a professional dancer but she still takes her ballet quite seriously. She's very happy today as she's just learned that she passed her RAD grade 8 with distinction.This is the realisation of an ambition she set herself when she was 6 when she decided that she wanted to pass all the RAD graded exams with distinction so she's feeling quite pleased with herself today. She's the first person from her school to ever do grade 8, and also in the last 12 months she's passed Intermediate with merit and grades 7 and 8 with distinction which I think is an achievement she's entitled to be proud of.
Big smiles all round here today - I hope there's also good news for anyone else receiving RAD results.

I just had to share with you all, as I'm very excited, that I'm watching my son and his girlfriend dance Le Corsaire pas de deux this evening as "guests" in her old dance school show

I've only ever seen him do any pdd in a short class demo once, and a bit of partnering in groups in end of year performances, so this is a real treat (they're doing it again for our local dance school show at the end of May - I'm hoping to persuade him to do the solo too for that )

I only have one child - a son.  Except for briefly, he did not dance but he had other activities which kept us busy.  He left home right after high school graduation to pursue a chosen career - he was 17 - and suddenly the house - his room - were empty.  The morning he left, I got on a plane to visit family across the country - so that took care of the first two weeks.  The rest of the summer was difficult.  But when it really hit me was the first day of school in Sept. when I stood at the door and watched all the children walking home from school and for the first time no child turned in toward my house.

Well, this is rather difficult to believe - but as I stood inside the screen door crying, a truck pulled up and a man came to the door delivering flowers.  They were from my son  - with a card saying he knew the first day of school would be difficult for me.  So - now of course - I'm crying harder!!

The bottom line is - we love them - but we raise them to leave us. And when we are successful that's exactly what they do.

Good luck to all the youngsters following their dreams, to all the parents who helped those dreams come true and to the brothers and sisters still at home who have watched it all and are looking forward to their dreams.

So next step has already started - ds went off on plane yesterday (with a couple of older friends already in the company) and starts work tomorrow.  I can't quite believe it.  Have just been looking back at his old photos from when he was a JA - this was always the dream but often felt like it would never be a reality.

Some of his friends have already started their contracts, others are starting in the next few weeks and some are yet to get jobs - good luck to all of them

Morning we are all feeling good this week as dd has done some ballet and is feeling on top of the world

Cxx

Morning all

Just thought I would update everyone... Dd is making progress and managed to walk unaided this week it's been a very emotional few days for her... I am continually trying to keep her motivated and have told her how extremely proud we are of her!! She obviously wants to run before she can walk so we need to set out a plan to keep her on track and healthy physically, emotionally and mentally so lots to think about and changes to be made to move carefully forward!!

Thank you to everyone for your kindness, help and support we really appreciate it.... Thought I would share this quote I sent to my dd this week with a "Alice in Wonderland" pic...
"A... "What road do I take?"
CC..."Where are you going?"
A...   "I don't know.
CC... "Then it doesn't matter. if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."

Cx

Just heard that dd is through to Year 10, she is very happy and we are very relieved!

Thank you for all your words of wisdom and support over the last few weeks, to have been able to share worries with others who have been through the process has meant so much. To anybody out there who has received bad news my heart goes out to you, the decisions are so hard to understand sometimes...  

Just to update those who have followed our journey- dd is very happy at Tring and is thrilled to have been placed in the classical set.
Lil

I posted a few weeks ago in a different thread about being asked to leave my current dance school for 6 months whilst they prepare for a school show in March and how I was rather hurt by this (and the way the school went about it).

I'm happy to report that I've been in touch with two local schools and got some great replies. The first has replied to say I'd be welcome in their Intermediate classes and their Adult Advanced/Open class (all taught by the owners son: ex-RBS and professional dancer). The second (suggested by BalletCo-ers) replied asking if I'd be interested in joining their Youth Ballet Company which meet every other Sunday and have an ENB Principal as their Patron (and she occasionally teaches Masterclasses!). And (amazingly) none of these clash with my current classes and rehearsals.

So, all in all, a rather horrible situation has turned into two fantastic opportunities. The only question now is, with 10+hours of ballet a week, when on earth am I going to do my PhD work!

I just wanted to share with you all that my dd has just passed all her exams at the Bolshoi School/Academy and has now been formally offered to train for a further three years. The exams are both practical and academic based. Practical exams are performed infront of a panel of the school powers that be. You must pass the classical regardless of how well you have done in all the other exams. So far she has done classical, historical, character, classical acting and modern. Her academics are Russian language, grammar, oral and it goes on some more but I cant remember. A very happy household who can all now relax for the summer.