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@SJBallet - flexibility isn't everything. Don't panic Good luck to your DD and all those auditioning.

If its RAD Intermediate that you are doing, perhaps it would be worth investing in a syllabus DVD, and watching it over and over to familiarise yourself with the exercises. You don't even have to dance along with it the whole. Simply watching the moves helps to embed them in your brain. https://www.radenterprises.co.uk/collections/vocational-graded-syllabus-dvd/products/intermediate-dvd?variant=40849228529827

@Angela Essex - If you are in a Intermediate syllabus class that is way more than a beginners class, so if you are holding your own at all you are doing really well. You aren't going to build up the necessary strength in a few months (teenagers doing RAD intermediate will probably have 10 years dance training under their belts already), so don't be too hard on yourself. Use your 'stubbornness' and keep at it, and it will come eventually I'm sure. It might be worth a chat with your teacher to tell her how you are feeling.

Well said @Neverdancedjustamum. I always used to say to my dd (and to myself)...everything happens for a reason. If you don't get what you were hoping for this time, it is to put you in the right place for what was meant to be.

No...it was Kevin Peuong.

It wasn't completely full but pretty good for a Thursday evening. We were in the Upper Circle and the whole central block was full and the first few rows at the side. Looking down on the stalls they looked full too. A wide range of people in the audience as well which was great to see. There weren't many children (it was a school night after all), but those who were there seemed to enjoy it.

Jan is obviously the best person to give insider knowledge on Liverpool. However we had a touristy weekend there a while ago and would recommend the International Slavery Museum - but don't spent too long in there...it's a bit harrowing. On a much lighter note, we all loved The Magical Mystery Tour bus - which took us round the streets of Liverpool to see the places the Beatles grew up, met, went to school...and places that feature in some of their songs. A bit cheesy but fun and entertaining.

I went to see Merlin in Leeds last night. It was the first time I've been into Leeds, and the first time I've watched ballet live since before the pandemic, so it was bound to be special. But I was completely blown away by the performance, the choreography and the staging. It felt really new, modern, creative, imaginative and magical.

For upper school auditions I would say teachers guidance is probably more important than professional photographs. When looking for jobs I think almost everyone gets professional photos done.

I don't have any dance or technique related advice, but there are some things you can do to give yourself the best chance perform to your best. 1) Get all your kit ready tonight and packed in your bag, so that you aren't rushing around looking for things in the morning. 2) If possible take spare tights - just in case you snag the pair you were planning to wear 3) Plan to get to the exam venue in plenty of time. That way if there are any delays you will still get there in time. If no delays you will be able to take your time getting ready. 4) Given that you are going to get to the exam venue early, think about how you are going to fill the time once you are ready. Maybe take a book to read, or music to listen to. Something which will help to keep you relaxed and distract you from the nervousness. I would avoid social media - that can make you more anxious 5) Take snacks and drinks which won't stain. So avoid chocolate and probably stick to plain water before the exam. 6) Chat with the other candidates in your group if people are chatty, but don't get involved in competitive conversations which might undermine your confidence. 7) Remember you are not there to compete with anyone, just to show off the best that you can be.

Ah sorry ...I didn't read your original post properly. I thought it was AGE 8 to 11, not Years 8 to 11. Disney could still work though. And there's nothing wrong with using something which will be very familiar to the students and audience. But with that age group - how about giving them some options and see what they think?

I too was thinking Disney. Maybe something from Frozen?

There's a policy document on the RAD website: https://media.royalacademyofdance.org/media/2019/10/09110909/201901009-reasonable-adjustments-and-special-consideration-policies-and-procedures.pdf It looks as if a request for 'Special Consideration' has to come from either the student, their parent, or teacher. So if you didn't apply, maybe your teacher did? It includes the following examples: The following are examples of circumstances which may lead to special consideration being applied, provided they are substantiated by medical documentation or other evidence as appropriate: 2.2.1 serious disturbance or disruption during the examination such as a fire alarm or power failure 2.2.2 temporary illness, injury, or indisposition either before or during the examination (but assuming that the candidate attempted to, or did, complete the examination, and did not elect to withdraw) 2.2.3 illness during the examination of the examiner, pianist, or music operator 2.2.4 recent bereavement or terminal illness of a member of the candidate’s family, close friend, teacher, or pet 2.2.5 serious and disruptive domestic or personal crisis leading to acute anxiety and/or depression

@Lisa O`Brien - I clicked 'like' on your post for your suggestion of advocacy. But definitely not for the dreadful situation your sister and her husband are in. How awful for them, and him so relatively young.

Wow - that is such a good point Lisa, one that I hadn't really considered as I was looking at it more from the point of view of the bullied child and their family. I can understand why people might not want to fight the system while inside the system. So how can change happen? Could parent groups get together to lobby the schools, so that it is less personal?

Hi @Hawthorn - assuming your child is aged 11 to 16 - here is a fairly recent thread on the subject: If they are over 16, it's a slightly different picture. Here is a slightly older thread:

I completely understand your anger and frustration @NotadanceMa. However I think there are some positives you can take from the situation. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, your child spoke to you about what was happening. Secondly, they are OK now (for now) and the situation seems to have calmed down. As others have suggested, keep a close eye on what is going on, keep the lines of communication with your child open and watch for changes in behaviour or personality which might indicate that they are being pushed too far by the situation. You may find that after the initial culture shock your child thrives at their new school. If not - there are always alternatives, whether it is another vocational school, or high quality home based training.

Not my dd...it is @balletbean's dd who has landed a contract.

What fantastic news @balletbean. Congratulations to her. And to you

These Chrome issues which appear out of thin air often seem to happen when it has done an update. My husband had one this week where it stopped him accessing the main data base he uses for work. No-one else had a problem. I wish I understood it all better (and I work in IT...what does that say?)

That link works OK for me in both Chrome and Safari. It is not showing as an insecure link in either for me.

When I used to darn my dd's pointe shoes I used a spiral of chain stitch similar to what @NeverTooOld has shown you. I used to start with a circle around the outside of the platform and would fill it in with a rough spiral. It doesn't have to be too neat as the stitches get flattened down quite quickly. I found curved needles easier. If you aren't familiar with chain stitch - or a bit rusty as I was - practice a bit on some cloth first! As to colour and thickness of the thread..I would just search online for 'pointe shoe darning thread' and you will find the right stuff.

The Royal Academy of Dance have a list of RAD qualified teachers on their website, but I don't know if it is a complete list. https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/dance-with-us/find-a-rad-teacher/

I just want to send love to all of you dealing with these difficult issues. Nothing else to say. Just love.

BBC news article about today's Facebook issues. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58793174 Over on Twitter the CTO of Facebook has apologised saying that they are experiencing Network issues and they are working as fast as possible to sort it out. I'm really feeling for the techies trying to get this sorted.