MrsMoo2 Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Hi guys, Hope this is ok to start but I could do with a boys thread to refer to.Ā DS is 11, and has been dancing for nearly two years, his fave is ballet but also does tap and jazz. Iām getting a bit cheesed off at not being able to find anything for him. Bought new tap shoes today and ended up in ladies yet again!! (Heās a 4). I try to get things made when I can find and afford them. His ballet bag came from the USA and Iām so tired of googling āfreed Aaronā like itās the only leotard heāll ever find. Can anyone point us in a direction of nice boys stuff? Good workshops, associate schemes?? He is in a nice school but still the only boy in his class and wonder if heās missing out.Ā We live in the NW of the UK, but will travel for the right opportunities. Thank youuuuuu! xx 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLou Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Hi MrsMoo2! My DS is also 11 and has been dancing for a couple of years. Good idea for a boys thread! Ā Planet Dance have the best selection of boys dance wear Iāve found, but I do get a bit frustrated with them when things are showing as āin stockā when you order then sometimes take weeks to arrive because they werenāt really in stock at all! Ā Depends where you are in the NW, butĀ Hammond Associates in Chester springs to mind. My DS will be starting Renaissance Scholars in Leeds (every other Sunday) and York Dance Scholars in York (every Saturday) next month. I will feedback on boy numbers!Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canary Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Maybe Ring London Childrenās Ballet in London and ask to go on their mailing list for boys only workshops. They run them every year and your DS will then make some friends for life. Plus Erico does occasionally visit schools.Ā Theres a strength and conditioning coach based at KS Dance in Warrington he runs workshops and trains boys/ men and again it may give your sonĀ the opportunity to make friends with other male dancers.Ā Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 I may have mis-remembered but have RAD run some boys only workshops? Ā I've got in the back of my mind that Iain Mackay, in his guise as Project B ambassador may have been involved. Ā As Anna says in her signature "google" has been my friend and I have remembered correctly! Ā Not sure if it will be suitable but worth looking at: Ā https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/learn-to-dance/project-b/about-project-b 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Yes, Project B is a great initiative run by the RAD. Ā If you can get to Hertfordshire, Tring Park has a "Kick Start" programme for boys, and I am sure they have at least one boys' class in their CBA programme: Ā https://www.tringpark.com/associated-courses/kick-start-boys-programme 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 Clothing and dancewear-wise, Just Ballet has a boys dept: Ā https://www.justballet.co.uk/collections/boysĀ as does the RAD shop:Ā https://www.radenterprises.co.uk/clothing/project-b?zenid=9a8r2mrkmr3e96icis4nagsus7 Ā Bloch has probably the biggest range of shoes I've seen and tap shoes are often unisex, so I wouldn't worry about them being ladies' ones. Ā Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutugirl Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 There were 10 boys of mixed ages ( 7-20 ) on my recent summer school . This is a great way to meet other boys and their Mums . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 16, 2018 Author Share Posted August 16, 2018 Thanks ladies. I will look into all those ideas. I just feel sorry for him sometimes. Weāre on the mailing list for the project B events, and I have briefly been in touch with KS dance last year, as itās not a million miles away, (I trained there till 19!). Like I say his current school is nice but I think he will outgrow it in a few years. DS auditioned for Hammond FT last year but missed out as he was lacking in upper body strength and some technique.Ā Sure heāll have another bash next year tho and maybe try associates. (The solo was a nightmare, and he doesnāt do singing! š). Does anyone do the CAT scheme? Just wondering if we can justify the drive! šš xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) I do SO sympathise with you about the lack of variety of boys leotards especially when theyāre small andĀ Ā ...the only really nice one we found last year wasĀ the Ballet Rosa Endo leotard and I think it only comes in twoĀ colours - Ā Black and white ! This year we got a grey and black unitardĀ version of it. Sadly even the menās extra small unitards byĀ intermezzo are way too big Ā so I took my life in my hands and took them in at all the seams with a reasonable result! Ā To make it even harder my DS hates sleeveless unitards and leotards ! the Planet Dance website seemed to have the best me s range and is our current favourite.... Of course if money were no object I believe you can get them made to order in any colour combination you like from wearĀ moi overseas website!! But I suspect like us that is a bit out of your price range Ā when there is so much else to spend our resources on ! I also 2nd TutuĀ girlāsĀ summer school recommendation. Ā But I canāt be of much help finding boys dance classesĀ during term time is quite tough and Iām not in your area Ā x Edited August 16, 2018 by Billyelliott I hadnāt finished! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingboy65 Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 My DS is just 14. He's on the Associate scheme at Northern Ballet in Leeds. There were 4 boys with him last year.Ā Lots more on their CAT scheme but too far for us to travel a few times a week. We've found Planet Dance good for boys clothes as long as you want blue/black/grey or white!Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueLou Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, MrsMoo2 said: Ā Does anyone do the CAT scheme? Just wondering if we can justify the drive! šš xx Ā 1 hour ago, dancingboy65 said: Ā Lots more on their CAT scheme but too far for us to travel a few times a week.Ā Ā Dd has just graduated the Northern Ballet CAT. Lots of boys there, but as dancingboy says itās a big commitment. At age 11/12 it would probably be 2 nights plus all day Saturday. By age 14 it would probably be 3 nights plus Saturday. Plus compulsory intensives during most holidays,Ā and extra Sunday rehearsals in the run up to the annual summer shows.Ā Those who live further away often leave school early to arrive in time for weeknight training. The training is excellent though and thereās a great atmosphere about the place. Dd started on the Associates and moved to CAT when she was 14, which worked well for us because she was then old enough to get the bus!Ā Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picturesinthefirelight Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) Iām a bit confused at you saying he is wearing ladies tap shoes? Ā I know some brands differentiate in terms of width in the adult sizes (menās size 6 upwards are wider) but other than that surely a tap shoe is a tap shoe? Ā Ā It remonds me though. Ds needs new tap shoes. Heās gone up 2 shoe sizes since last year but has very narrow feet so some brands are too wide.Ā Ā Ā Edited August 16, 2018 by Picturesinthefirelight 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Having 50 years on your DS give me certain size advantages. Anyway I have two leotards from this pageĀ https://dancewear.co.uk/male-dancewear/male-leotards.htmlĀ The Intermezzo Skinsupman 4641 in burgandy (two actually) and Poselli Tango in black. I don't like the Tango much - too low in the chest. I might have been better with the Patrick. Your best bet might be to contact http://www.esmedancewear.com/ Although the don't have any mens wear shown on their site, I've had stuff custom made by them. Perfect fit and in what every colour you want. Ā I have quite small feet, size 8. My tap shoes are Capezio size 6.5 (a bit snug really; 7 would have been better) and I go for Freed ballet shoes in a 6. For 20 years I went for a one piece sole, but over the last couple of years I've gone for a split sole. I'm still deciding what I prefer. Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pups_mum Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I don't have a son who dances, but was also intrigued by the comment about ladies' tap shoes as I would have assumed they were unisex, particularly at that relatively small size. My son wears cycling shoes and other kit that are labelled as womens, and in fact his next bike will probably be badged as a woman's bike. But there's no difference really, it's just that men don't come that small and for some reason manufacturers don't seem to think that children need decent quality cycling equipment. Ditto his next hockey goalie kit will probably be in the woman's section as that's where the next size up from kids tends to be. He will wear whatever fits him, as long as its not pink and sparkly and neither he nor I have ever seen it as an issue. I think it's pretty much the norm in unisex activities that boys who have outgrown the kids section use kit that's sold as women's before they get big enough for the men's ranges. I can understand your frustration regarding lack of boys specific classes etc as obviously there are different techniques to learn. Are there any schools in your area with a male teacher who might be willing to do private lessons maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Wear moi do some nice boys leotards and shorts. The zipped ones make a nice change and are comfortable as both I and my son can attest.Ā Ā Bloch do boys tap shoes in basically same sizes as the girlsāĀ ones, so check the sizing and then order. (The girls shoes are the strapped sandal type. What the Americans call āMary Janesā) Ā RAD run boys associates classes one a month in some places - our 10 year old has done them in Elmhurst - that donāt require auditions and so on.Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 For boys with narrow feet especially, women's dance shoes/trainers etc tend to fit better once out of child's sizes... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Jay Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Oooh exciting thread! We are happy with DS school but always looking for opportunities for him to be taught by male teachers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllAboutTheJourney Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I have a son who dances but he is only five still. He does like to have āniceā dancewear though as he sees his older sister and friends in various leotards/combos. Weāve discovered that Squad Dancewear do quite a good selection of boys wear, some casual wear that can be used for non-dance activities and some leotards/shorts which would be more for class-wear.Ā Ā Sorry i cant help with associates etc in your area but I hope you find something to suit š Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 12 hours ago, Colman said: Wear moi do some nice boys leotards and shorts. The zipped ones make a nice change and are comfortable as both I and my son can attest.Ā Ā Bloch do boys tap shoes in basically same sizes as the girlsāĀ ones, so check the sizing and then order. (The girls shoes are the strapped sandal type. What the Americans call āMary Janesā) Ā RAD run boys associates classes one a month in some places - our 10 year old has done them in Elmhurst - that donāt require auditions and so on.Ā Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 Oooh, tell me more! How do we find out about the boys RAD classes at Elmhurst? could possibly stretch to driving there....mmmmmmm! š 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 12 hours ago, Pups_mum said: I don't have a son who dances, but was also intrigued by the comment about ladies' tap shoes as I would have assumed they were unisex, particularly at that relatively small size. My son wears cycling shoes and other kit that are labelled as womens, and in fact his next bike will probably be badged as a woman's bike. But there's no difference really, it's just that men don't come that small and for some reason manufacturers don't seem to think that children need decent quality cycling equipment. Ditto his next hockey goalie kit will probably be in the woman's section as that's where the next size up from kids tends to be. He will wear whatever fits him, as long as its not pink and sparkly and neither he nor I have ever seen it as an issue. I think it's pretty much the norm in unisex activities that boys who have outgrown the kids section use kit that's sold as women's before they get big enough for the men's ranges. I can understand your frustration regarding lack of boys specific classes etc as obviously there are different techniques to learn. Are there any schools in your area with a male teacher who might be willing to do private lessons maybe? Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 What I mean is they say on the box labelĀ āladies tap shoesā. He is an astute 11 year old and wants to know why he has to wear ladies! š I have actually got some lovely ones from eBay second hand, so heās in luck this year...ššš 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Theyāre not on the schedule yet for this year. I assume theyāre running them again. Once a month in Elmhurst. We combined them with adult classes and workshops for my wife or I and made a day of it, but we were flying from Dublin.Ā 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pups_mum Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 12 hours ago, MrsMoo2 said: What I mean is they say on the box labelĀ āladies tap shoesā. He is an astute 11 year old and wants to know why he has to wear ladies! š I have actually got some lovely ones from eBay second hand, so heās in luck this year...ššš It had honestly never crossed my mind that such a think would be an issue. I'm feeling somewhat guilty that I have perhaps neglected my 12 Year olds feelings as it says "Shimano WMN" in fairly big letters on his actual shoes, never mind the box. So I just asked him if he minded. He rolled his eyes a bit and said "Boys' shoes, girls' shoes, as long as they're GOOD shoes I don't care." So i think he's escaped unscathed so far.š I do wonder why manufacturers can't just label things as "Size 4 tap shoes" "Size 3 cycling shoes" though. Why the need to assign gender? At the other end of the scale there must be tall women who object to buying things labelled as for men. (Sorry....going off the topic somewhat, but I think that the bottom line is that pretty much all the difficulties that boys who dance experience are as a result of wider gender discrimination so it's kind of relevant!) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyelliott Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 Try finding Size 6 super skinny jeans for boys ! Iāve only ever found them in the womanās section- needed for contemporary work and he is still a size 6 at age 16! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Pups_mum said: <snip> I do wonder why manufacturers can't just label things as "Size 4 tap shoes" "Size 3 cycling shoes" though. Why the need to assign gender? At the other end of the scale there must be tall women who object to buying things labelled as for men. (Sorry....going off the topic somewhat, but I think that the bottom line is that pretty much all the difficulties that boys who dance experience are as a result of wider gender discrimination so it's kind of relevant!) Ā wheels out theĀ trolley with the deckchairs and popcorn machine ...Ā Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2dancersmum Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 RAD Associates holds boys classes in Birmingham - keep an eye on the website for when the next set of dates go up - usually in groups of 4 Sundays.Ā Another one to watch out for, also in Birmingham , are the insight days run by Birmingham Royal Ballet, not entirely sure what age they run from. They are not boys only - but they do tend to separate for the repertoire sessions and a male dancer from BRB teaches the boys. They used to run the insight days on a regular basis but not sure how often they are these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletgremlin Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 The school I dance at in Kettering has weekly boys' only ballet classes with a male ballet teacher on Friday afternoons. They're currently advertising it as one of the onlyĀ boys-onlyĀ classes in the country so I don't know how rare they really are. Ā I know my teacher often gets frustrated when RAD course skip the boys dances for higher grades because none of the other teachers have any boys in their classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancingboy65 Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 My DS has been going to a boys ballet and contemporary class that has just started at a new dance school near us.Ā It's the only one in the area that I know of. And needless to say he loves it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colman Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 (edited) The Wear Moi leotard built in ones are the only comfortable ones Iāve found. The 10 year old agrees. Ā Update: have just realised (by finding a photo on the Dr Dancebelt site since none of the shops like to show the back of dance belts for some reason) that their dance belt is the same as the built in ones in their leotards. I shall be ordering one as an experiment shortly. Edited August 19, 2018 by Colman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 On 18/08/2018 at 15:29, balletgremlin said: The school I dance at in Kettering has weekly boys' only ballet classes with a male ballet teacher on Friday afternoons. They're currently advertising it as one of the onlyĀ boys-onlyĀ classes in the country so I don't know how rare they really are. Ā I know my teacher often gets frustrated when RAD course skip the boys dances for higher grades because none of the other teachers have any boys in their classes. I would not say that they are that rare and to advertise as such is incorrect. There is London Boys Ballet School for starters. At Associate and vocational level there are Boys only classes and as others have mentioned, Tring run Kick Start and the RAD have done plenty of Boys only workshops. I have taught boys only classes for years and know of two other schools in my area (Hertfordshire) who have or have had boys only classes My ds now teaches the boys at my school. Ā That said, I share the teacher's frustration when boys dances get skipped at courses. Ā And I agree that some areas of the country will have more opportunities for boys than others. I am sad that I am no where near the OP ! And I also agree that there are limited options in boys dance wear and also gifts. But actually buying Ballet related gifts in general that don't pander to pink stuff is difficult.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trog Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 18 hours ago, MrsMoo2 said: Next question...dance belts!! So far we have gone full seat but need to look for a new one for September, tell me your little fellas favourites...ššš xx Ā Here is your previous thread on this very question Ahem...Dance Belts and "furniture!!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMoo2 Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 1 hour ago, trog said: Ā Here is your previous thread on this very question Ahem...Dance Belts and "furniture!!" Just checking science hasnāt moved on since then!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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