glowlight

I hate to break the flow of this thread, but just wanted to post a slight clarification regarding the definition of DaDa. These awards are generally offered by vocational schools which offer National Diploma courses for post 16 study (eg English National Ballet School, Northern Ballet School, Elmhurst). The schools which offer degree and foundation degree courses (eg Central School of Ballet, Rambert) are funded in the same way as other British degree courses (ie you take a student loan to cover your fees and living expenses)

Homework? Lol!

Maybe she could consider dropping modern for a bit, perhaps replacing it with another ballet class or something in a different style all together. Modern can be easily picked up later. My dd never did modern until she was 16, but took her intermediate modern after a term or two at Northern Ballet School. If you had this in mind, you could perhaps ask the teacher whether she could take the Grade 5 before she stops modern for a bit. If none of the others in the school are taking it, ask the teacher if she knows of another school running a session where she could take the exam (my dd did this for one of her RAD ballet exams) Edited to add: posted at the same time as BankruptMum - seems we had the same idea!

Gosh I'm sure the Hermitage Theatre wasn't that expensive when we went - it was quite a few years ago so maybe the prices have gone up (quite likely I suppose) as its got more popular. I feel even more priviliged to have been there now. PS Su - don't miss a trip to The Hermitage museum while you are there. It is truely amazing.

I know of so many students who have been told by some teacher, somewhere along the line that they weren't going to make it....and have then gone on to get into good vocational schools for sixth form. (Still to early to say how their careers will pan out in the longer term) I think that the time to stop is when the dancer feels its no longer worth the effort. Very few will actually become ballet dancers, but for those who don't, dance training may take them down different avenues that they didn't even know were possible when they started out. However, they have to be in it for the journey, not for the end game, because that end game is so illusive. If you aren't enjoying the journey (at least most of the time) you're throwing a big part of your life away.

Walking, especially on the wonderful moorland near where I live. Reading (thank heaven for my daily train commute) Excercise classes - Yoga, Pilates, Body Jam, Zumba (I don't have time for all of these every week!) Spending time with family and friends I love this thread

Its some years ago since I saw ballet in St Petersburg. We too were there in the summer when many companies are on tour, however we did go to a show case at the Hermitage Theatre and it was lovely. A short program, but the theatre is tiny (it's almost like being in someone's front room) and it's very ornate. I think my husband enjoyed it just for the experience of being in the theatre. Not the same as seeing a full sized production of a full length ballet in a large theatre, but as an experience it was very enjoyable for both ballet lovers and non ballet lovers in the family! More of a spot light on ballet really. I think we bought tickets from one of the many kiosks in the city if I remember rightly.

Anjuli - perhaps a transatlantic cruise?

Like Mumofballetmaddaughter, my experience is a few years ago, but when I phoned child benefit and told them dd was doing a National Diploma in Professional Dance they looked at their list and said - 'National Diploma - yes thats eligible'. I was never confident that they were correct, as I believe that National Diploma in Professional Dance is a higher level qualification than the National Diplomas other subjects - but who was I to argue?

When my dd was at school she chose to do GCSE PE, because it reduced her practical sessions to just one per week. She had a very understanding PE teacher in GCSE, who after I had spoken to her about auditions and risk of injury, let dd pull out of any practical which she felt might be risky for dancing.

One thing I would add to the discussion is that it can be quite difficult to find good, high quality, professional standard performance opportunities. As ballet is a performing art it can be very good for a young person to be part of something like this to remind them of what it's all about. Also to get experience of the long slog that leeds up to a performance and the amazing buzz of being on stage. This is something quite different to associate training.

tomuchtalent - perhaps your dd's little belly is caused by her tummy muscles not being very strong. That would also be why she finds it difficult to pull up throughout the class. Perhaps ask her teacher if she can recommend any abs strengthening exercises appropriate to her age. Could take the focus away from being fat and turn it towards improving strength.

I think it is very difficult for girls who develop early as they naturally feel big compared to the children around them. Perhaps if you tell her that her body age is more comparable with that of a 12 or 13 year old an suggest she compares herself against some older friends that could help?

To be fair, sometimes you don't get precise details of timings, locations and schedules until after you are successful, especially if it is a new scheme or if there are different sessions for different ages/ability.

As with female dancers, I think that different artistic directors have different preferences for height of their male dancers. I don't think vocational schools would rule someone out simply on height. Also he might grow more - boys often stop growing later than girls. Boys also develop a lot in terms of build between 16 and 19 especially if they are doing weight training, and I know this was part of the timetable for the boys at Northern Ballet School.

I'm not really sure that other dance styles really 'help' ballet as such (apart from contemporary perhaps), but they certainly help to produce a rounded dancer, and potentially more employable one. Conversely I think ballet definitely helps with other forms of dance - you can definitely tell a jazz or modern dancer who has been classically trained. There was an interesting program on TV over Christmas where Darcey Bussel was 're-creating' classic dance scenes from the movies in other genres, including a Fred and Ginger number, and a Tap number. She commented that it was like having to unlearn what she had been trained to do. (Of course she did it all brilliantly, but with her natural humility she got across that it didn't come naturally to her). I would say be careful of gymnastics - the posture required is very different from the ballet posture so there can be a conflict (probably not an issue when they are young, but if they get to a high level in both it could be a problem).

At Northern Ballet School (Manchester) some students do A levels as evening classes at a local college I understand. My dd didn't want to so I don't know much about it.

Maybe look for adult classes somewhere else Rowan?

thequays Can I suggest starting with walking - its simple and free and so good for general health and fitness and mental health. You can start with as little as you can manage and build it up at your own pace. You don't need any kit and you don't have to expose your body. But once you've got your fitness levels up a bit, then definitely give Zumba or Ballet a go. Zumba can be great fun and very energetic. Some classes are better than others, it depends so much on the teacher. The best class I went to was run by two of dd's friends - both professional dancers, and it was such fun watching them that you didn't really care about what you looked like. Fiz Good luck with your ballet class. I'm sure you will have a great time. But as Anjuli says don't push it too fast - I was surprised when I did a ballet class a few years ago how stiff I felt compared with when I was younger. One step at a time and you'll be fine I'm sure.

Just for clarity - are you asking about Northern Ballet School in Manchester (Post 16 full time training) Or the Academy associated with Northern Ballet in Leeds (which runs a CAT scheme and Associate scheme, generally for pre-16/17 training, and is not full time)? The thread which Spanner has linked to explains the difference.

I think it depends on the age of the auditionee. The younger they are the less the associate scheme will look for in terms of technique.

I don't think that can be the case for Dadas as you don't have to submit any financial information before being awarded a Dada. At least you used not to, maybe its changed. However if you were awarded a Dada (which will pay fees) and you want to apply for financial support for living expenses, then you had to submit financial statements.

My dd used to keep all her pointe shoes. She says they can go now, but I haven't quite mustered the courage to take them to the tip. So I too would be interested to hear peoples' thoughts on this!

Is there any Unite student accommodation in the area? Many of the students at Northern Ballet School in Manchester live in Unite accommodation and they do not seem to have a problem with their tenants being under 18 (they expect the parents to underwrite the contract but I think that's common for student accommodation) http://www.unite-students.com/student-accommodation-london

You step on and enjoy the ride....and drink lots of wine.