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I might be making a business (day)trip to Birmingham sometime from the 4th-6th June, and was wondering if there was anything on that I should try and see while I was there? It is - of course - too early for BRB

We have fairly recently moved to Oxfordshire. We go to ROH fairly often and having lived and worked in London for a long time I know my way around this and other theatres and their surrounding areas. But I’m now only a 90 minute drive from Birmingham Hippodrome according to Google maps, and I’d like to go there to see BRB. Are there any good tips regarding seats, sight lines, sound lines (?) and parking? Also, what about food and drink - either inside the theatre or nearby. I know it’s only Birmingham not Caracas but I’d be grateful for any suggestions thank you

Introducing the newly designed PBT Associates UK. PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) is proven to increase strength and understanding of technique in classical ballet. This revolutionary programme coaches the core muscles meaning the student is left able to focus more on artistry and presentation. Classes are lead by Principal and Level 3, Elite Certified PBT Teacher, Ellie Wright*. PBT Associates UK offers: Senior Associates (year 8+) a 2 and a half hour fully integrated PBT and ballet class. Numbers are kept small in order for focus to be given to each individual student and increases in difficulty level given to the more advanced students. There is also the option for senior associates to join a once a week group zoom PBT lesson (Wednesday evening 4.30-5.30pm). Junior Associates (Year 5-7) a 2 hour and 15 mins fully integrated PBT and ballet class. This class format allows students to follow through the process from strength training to movements in order to increase understanding and technique. Class are second Sunday of every month held at the MAC, Birmingham. All details can be found in the ‘Services’ section of our Facebook page. Auditions for the programme for Entry in January 2023 are 11th December 2022, at the Mac, Birmingham 11.00-13.30. Application form for Audition: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqfjw-SJipTna6vDQ4q1_Z40E5hwX20c/view?usp=sharing https://www.facebook.com/PBTassociatesuk/services We’re also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pbt_associates_uk/ *Ellie Wright PBT: https://www.facebook.com/EllieWrightPBT https://www.instagram.com/ellie_wright_pbt/

Happy New Year to you all! The online application for MIDAS auditions for 2017 (September start) is now live again via www.midas-dance.org.uk. Students must be year 4 or above (going into year 5 in September). Pupils who are associates of the Royal Ballet School do not need to audition to join MIDAS, but due to a large demand for places all other prospective students must audition. Auditions will be held on a Sunday, towards the end of May/beginning of June. Audition dates will only be allocated after the closing date of April 30th. If you have any questions about the scheme that you cannot find the answer to via a forum search, or on the website then please feel free to PM me.

Lachlan Monaghan Backstage is a small exhibition of photographs of dancers of the BRB. You can view this at the RBSA Gallery until 21st March. I went this morning and I really liked the photos. I am sorely tempted to buy one (but I'm not going to say which). http://www.rbsa.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/lachlan-monaghan-backstage/

I thought I'd start this thread, as there are several queries in here about places to continue reasonably advanced studies in ballet once people leave school/family home and go to university. I asked the question here after moving from a large city to a small city, and I'm sure others are in that position. So maybe we can pool experience & advice as a resource? If people don't want to give too many clues to specific studios, or give information on location which might compromise their anonymity, I hope we can respect that. I'm sure that the PM system can help there too! BIRMINGHAM It's a great city for the advanced but non-professional dancer. I'll start off by saying I used to live in Birmingham, and found the range of classes there excellent: you could do a serious dance class most days of the week just by attending DanceXchange, behind the Birmingham Hippodrome. The teachers are uniformly excellent -- often ex- or current BRB dancers. The studios are beautiful, big, good changing facilities, and very reasonable prices. I highly recommend DanceXchange. The only draw back there is the rather silly requirement (IMO) that you attend classes at only one level. Apparently, there were complaints about advanced dancers making beginners feel 'intimidated.' I tend to think that the real problem is beginner dancers in more advanced classes, and I like having more advanced dancers in class to follow! but that's just my view. The limitation on attending only one level seems to be pretty much ignored, though, particularly if you pay as you go. I think it's tougher if you want to pay for a whole term in advance. LONDON London is also the obvious place for continuing high quality dance training. My picks are Danceworks, and Central School of Ballet. I love, love, love Renato Paroni's Sunday class at Central -- it's challenging but not in terms of difficult combinations -- it's his requirements for clear and technically high-powered technique at a basic level. I always feel great after his class. Danceworks has a daily professional class, and a range of others. It's the nearest to the studios of New York (such as Steps) that I've danced at.

I have 2 tickets to the Elmhurst Ballet Company show 'Origins' on Saturday 9 February 7pm at Elmhurst Ballet School in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Good seats, C8+9 selling for £25 for both (bought for £35). For more info see https://www.elmhurstdance.co.uk/Elmhurst-Ballet-Company.html

Hi we have a RBS JA audition on Tuesday in Birmingham. Could anyone tell me where the best / nearest car park is please? Tia x

I'm looking for a teacher who would provide private coaching as a complement to my dd's syllabus Grade 3/Standard 4 class. Her teacher is going away for the summer and is currently unable to provide private classes. We're in Milton Keynes, but could get to either London or Birmingham or anything along the train line between Euston and Birmingham. Oxford may also be a possibility. Also, I would like some advice on what to do when a beloved teacher suddenly seems to lose interest, despite the good results in exams and competitions. After a year of inspiring collaboration, she seems to have found a new favourite and, while she teaches well whenever lessons happen, she seems less than willing to continue to provide the support to achieve the goals she herself set for my dd to have a chance to get into a vocational school in Y6 (she's currently finishing Y4). Dd has noticed it too, so her confidence levels are dropping. I'm feeling a bit stuck.

Hi ive been lurking for a while but finally decided to post! Does anyone have any experience of the Cat scheme in birmingham.Dd is auditioning for it and i know that it is contempory with ballet too but wondered about the standard and quality of the teaching? Any help would be great thanks!

Im wondering if anybody can point me in the direction of a quality ballet teacher or ballet classes in Shrewsbury/Birmingham for a Sunday or possibly Saturday late afternoon? thank you in advance

Have just seen this - https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1463264903719717&substory_index=0&id=767113100001571

Hello everyone Is there any good ballet auditions to audition for , or any associates course (things like that) Thank you !

I'm taking my dd for her first point shoes on Sunday and will be going to Dancique in Birmingham. Where would be the best place for me to park? (I have a 9 seater car so cannot do small spaces).

Hello everyone Does anyone know any good standard dance or ballet school ( I don't mean full time ) near Birmingham or round about Sutton Coldfield. Thank you

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone on this forum! It is fascinating to hear everyones different stories and journeys... I wonder if any of you have any tips- my dd is just 8 and joined RAD Associates recently, which she loves. She is interested in doing the Associates Summer School at Elmhurst in July. The problem is distance...we are 20 mins south of Gloucester, so driving up and back every day might be too much for her as well as the actual classes. Then there is my 5 year old ds to consider too, who, much as he loves vehicles and motorways, may not appreciate 3 hours in the car every day that week! Does anyone have any tips-well located places to stay or bed and breakfasts etc that are affordable or other ideas...any would be gratefully received... Or does anyone know of any other summer schools nearer Gloucester which focus mainly on ballet? Many thanks in advance Balletmummy

Myself and a colleague are running 3 days of 'back to school' dance training in CENTRAL Birmingham at a bargain price of £100 for 3 days! (Considering how much I normally charge these days this is a total steal!!!!!!!!!!) Seriously though - I will be teaching all day, every day on this course and will focus on placing and technique, strength, safe flexibility, injury prevention as well as teaching all of the tips I have learnt from people like Rebecca Davies, Tahlysia Smedley and Rosina Andrews to get you turning more easily, jumping higher and doing all those fun leaps and tricks SAFELY! (Includes classes in Progressing Ballet Technique) It is open to ANY dancer from age 8 upwards - and I can also accommodate private coaching time for anyone who is looking for help with something specific, or wants to learn some exercises to help with their dancing or prevent injury. To apply just complete a registration form on www.midas-dance.org.uk - no payment will be needed until the first day of the course. **** VENUE: Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre, Aston University B4 7ET - Walking distance from the stations*******

Although this is not for a ballet course, I suspect the problem is the same ... My daughter has been offered a wonderful musical opportunity in Birmingham next week. Only problem is I am still in school for most of the week. She is 16, and a vocational school student, so fairly self reliant. I am wondering if it is possible for her to stay unaccompanied rather than travel 5+ hours per day. Has anyone solved this problem? I know she would have to be 18 to check into most hotels, and even if I checked her in I am not sure if she is allowed to stay on her own. Her brother lives less than 20 minutes away, but she can't stay with him unfortunately. Meadowblythe

Chiltern Railways have just released 50,000 tickets between London (Marylebone Station) and Birmingham (Moor St) for travel up to 17th May, via an Evening Standard offer. There are currently many tickets available at peak travel times. More details at: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/eveningstandard50offer If you're travelling further afield, you might want to combine this with other train offers - there's a good (but not complete) list on the moneysavingexpert.com site: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/deals/cheap-coach-train-ticket-deals No connection to any of the above. Just passing on the information. Yaffa [edited to correct typo]

Looking for classes over the long summer holiday and came across these at Birmingham dance xchange, right next to the Hippodrome and BRB http://www.dancexchange.org.uk/events/ballet-xtra

Does anyone know of any hotels near elmhurst? Sent dd application only on monday & had a reply yesterday to say she has an audition on the 6th, not long to arrange things.