Anna C

So difficult, isn't it? I hope that if and when EYB comes back to Aylesbury it's a summer rehearsal period again, as opposed to weekends and October half term, as last time dd had to miss 4 Associate Classes. Plus she's ill every November or December. All we can do is to keep fingers crossed! :-)

There were a couple of steps at the January audition that my dd had never done (she was halfway through G6 and had just started Inter) BUT don't panic because Dominic does demonstrate them. You'll know from Junior auditions that EYB like people to have a go and try the new steps with enthusiasm. I was surprised at the technical level of the Senior audition but with children from 12 to 18 it must be difficult aiming at all of them. My dd just watched Dominic carefully and didn't panic! :-) I'm sure your dd will be fine because she's auditioned before and won't be intimidated by the newness of it all. x

I liked the idea that the GB team are using "magic wheels"! :-) Looking forward to watching the triathlon this morning.

Nothing do-able for us either Pups_ Mum. They usually do Aylesbury every other year so like you, we'll keep fingers crossed for 2014.

So delighted for your lovely son, Julie. May he have a long and very happy ballet career. :-)

I didn't think Mustafina's routine was difficult enough to warrant the Gold, in all honesty. Beth's level of difficulty was marked the same as Mustafina's but Beth's combinations were more difficult. I would have placed China in Gold, Beth Silver, Mustafina Bronze. Oh well. Bad luck for Komova and Gabi Douglas though. :-(

The good news is that there are 3 and a half weeks until the performances, so there's no rush. Watching, learning and marking through will all help her learn the dances while she recovers. :-)

Well you won't really, until she does some dancing and you see how it is. Could you get a physio to assess it before Wednesday?

I think she'd like to do one sometime; probably not this summer though as EYB starts this week. :-)

Ooh, I didn't know that; that's good to know. I've heard good things about LJB/LSB too. If you can get onto an Associate course, Pointytoes, and if the train fares are manageable, it is a long day to get to London but can be well worth it. :-)

I had to switch to the cycling when Helen Skelton started to interview our pommel horse medallists. She irritates me beyond. :-( Having a sailing background yet being a huge tennis fan caused me a bit of a dilemma earlier, until I realised that I could watch the sailing live on my ipad while the tennis was on tv. Result! :-)

If you're looking at Performing Arts/Musical Theatre as an option then I recommend keeping up singing lessons, jazz and some tap. There are some fantastic schools you could look at, for instance Laine or Millenium. For schools like this, and indeed Rambert, you have a little more time as there is more leeway with the age limit. In fact some schools prefer applicants to be a little older. I'd recommend trying again for a CAT scheme if you're looking at schools with a strong Contemporary department. As you're 15 I'd recommend talking to your teacher ASAP; preferably before September if you can email her, so that at the start of term you can start working with her straight away on your audition preparation.

Weston-Supermare is probably the nearest EYB production coming up: http://www.englishyouthballet.co.uk/auditions1.html There will be more dates coming up for 2013. In terms of London Associates, there are RBS, Central, London Junior/Senior Ballet, and probably more that I've missed! Elmhurst Associates are indeed for Primary school age. If you are worried about speaking to your teacher alone, how about asking for a chat with your Mum or Dad there too? :-)

That's an excellent result, c4d, very well done indeed to your dd! xx

There is a CAT in Swindon which looks as if it has links to Exeter: http://www.nationaldancecats.co.uk/contact People travel from all over the country to get to the London Associate classes. How about EYB? How far South-West do they go?

I was remarking to dd that watching him swim in slo-mo - particularly swimming butterfly - is like watching ballet. Sharapova's serve is the same. Fantastic finish to Phelps' swimming career; I'm so glad he got Golds in both his last individual race and the medley. Speaking of Golds - Ennis, Rutherford and Farah!!!!

I had this reply back from Danceworks which may help: "Hi, Thank you for your enquiry. Elementary classes are post beginner classes. Anna du Boisson's classes, specifically, are closer to intermediate level than beginners. From what you described, sounds like your daughter will do percfectly fine in Anna's class. Note that Anna is away untill the 27th of August and has cover teachers untill then, who varie in style and level. I suggest she tries them and see if she likes them. Also, Danceworks is a studio for adults. Anna usually accepts the younger crowd if they are her students (she runs West London School of Dance). So it is up to the teacher's discretion as to whether they will allow a younger student in the class, or not. It is unusual for any teacher to refuse entry to anyone who is obviously training, and perhaps advanced for her age, however, which might be your daughter's case. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further queries. Kind regards"

At the end of the day, even if the worst happens, you can decide whether or not to take your teacher's advice. Obviously you'll need her support and hopefully she'll help you prepare for auditions, help with application photos etc. But it will be your decision - and your family's - if you audition and how many auditions to try. It's much much better if you have your teacher's support though. :-) Are you at any Associate Schemes or at a CAT? Although there are no guarantees that if you are, you will get a post 16 place, they usually provide excellent non-syllabus training and are a useful additional indicator of how you're doing.

Oh, don't be! You won't know until you do, and you might find that she needs to sign an application form or even write a reference for you, so she'll have to know if you do decide to apply. :-)

I was weeping again at the replay of Grainger & Watkins' win, and then at Victoria Pendleton crying on the podium. And then Murray beat Djokovic in straight sets!

It's a bit like the elbow problem; it only feels straight to dd when it's hyperextended, so if you ask her to have soft or slightly curved arms it feels to her as if they're bent to the nth degree. :-)

No, I kept going purple! Just as well I wasn't on Centre Court today, I kept squeaking and shrieking! Thank goodness that's over! :-)

I think my dd's teacher encourages it as she sometimes looks as if she's sickling. She has reduced proprioception in her most hypermobile joints (ankles and elbows) so if the teacher asks her to "wing" the foot slightly it often ends up straight - if that makes sense.

What does your teacher think, Pointytoes? Have you discussed your ambitions?

How emotional was that! I was weeping buckets! Highly stressed at the moment watching Federer play Del Potro. I keep forgetting to breathe!