glowlight

I would take a look at Northern Ballet School in Manchester. It can be the best of both worlds for someone who wants a strong ballet focus, but with other genres to keep a broad range of dance styles in their repertoire. I don't know if it is still true, but back then it was a single audition and you were told after about a week whether you were offered a place. A decision on funding came through later in the year, but there was no second audition for funding. There are many others on the forum with more recent experience of NBS.

@Lena - if you are within travelling distance of Leeds it is worth looking at Northern Ballet's Centre for Advanced Training which is intended to be a vocational level training programme for students 11 to 16 who don't go to full time vocational school.

Oh @FlexyNexy - I do feel for your daughter and for you too. I believe you are TOTALLY doing the right thing by supporting her as she faces this dilemma. If she is coming to the conclusion that she is reaching the end of this road it is her decision, and so it is great that you are supporting her in that, so that she knows that she is not disappointing you (although I'm sure you feel a little sad as well). Great that you are giving her the option, but it sounds as if coming home and taking a break might be a good approach. My dd didn't have a pre-defined Plan B when she gave up dancing (after 5 years working on cruise ships) - but like your dd she knew she didn't want to teach. It took a few months at home, working in the local cafe, helping a little in the family business, keeping an open mind, and she found a new direction which she has been able to throw herself into.

Also worth considering that Plan B doesn't always involve going to University. There are many other ways to build a new career. Employers don't count UCAS points.

My dd's professional performing career on cruise ships was about 5 years. After that time she was ready for something new, and to be back on dry land. She didn't have a formal 'Plan B' (only that she knew she didn't want to teach) but had good GCSEs. Oh...and work experience. She was lucky to find an employer who valued work ethic as highly as academic qualifications. Remember that a National Diploma in Professional Dance (which is what most DADA courses offer) is a Level 6 qualification (ie broadly equivalent to a degree), so it is worth explicitly stating this on CVs and job applications. It may just tick that extra box which gets you the interview.

I think for some young dancers having a Plan B is very difficult. When you think about it, most teenagers don't even have a 'Plan A' - so asking your teenager to think in detail of what they will do if they don't succeed can at times be impossible. What you can encourage however is making sure that they have a strong foundation in their general eduction, so that if / when they do start to think about what comes next they aren't coming at it from a standing start. This also helps to keep their options open. My dd would never have imagined a career in IT when she was so fixed on being a dancer, but that it where she has ended up.

So glad to hear that your dd is happy and thriving @cotes du rhone ! Thankyou for the update.

You may well be right - but have you ever noticed how you feel physically tired after watching a live performance, as if you had been going through the motions yourself? I first heard about this phenomenon in a BBC series which Deborah Bull presented called 'The Dancers Body'. (I've just looked it up and it was 20 years ago!!! How does time fly so quickly) and have seen a few other articles about it more recently. I think that this is one of the reasons why dancers are encouraged to watch class if they are injured. You don't just dance with your body.

And watch ballet. Live if possible, but if this isn't possible watch as many films or broadcasts of dancers as you can. By watching ballet, not only do you get to enjoy the beauty and diversity of the art form, but also - if you are watching professional dancers - you get to see how it's meant to be done. Your body won't do everything their's does, but if you have that end result in mind in class you know what you are aiming for. Also when you are watching dance, your brain goes through the same activity as it would if you were actually dancing the steps, so you get a kind of dress rehearsal in your head without getting out of your chair.

This is a good point - but don't be put off if your 16 year old is sharing with older NBS students. When my dd started she was 16. Her flat mates were two 18 year olds, one 19 year old and one twenty something. They were all first years and it seemed to work really well for my dd as her flatmates had a little more experience of life. She still refers to one of her older flatmates as her big sis.

So sorry to hear this. It is hard, especially if this is the first experience of auditioning and/or first experience of rejection. I think the main thing to remind her of is that rejections are quite normal, and it's OK to feel upset and cross. But then encourage her to move on to the next audition or the next thing. I started this thread a couple of years ago...it might help.

Elite Technique?

How about simply calling it a 'Technique' class. Or 'Technique polishing', "Focus on Technique'?

Interestingly - I have found it difficult to find what type of injury might happen if a girl goes on pointe too young. I was trying to find out as part of research for a novel, but really didn't get very far. If anyone knows specifics I would be really interested to hear.

I'm just a dance mum, but from everything I have seen and read, most responsible teachers look at each girl on and individual basis to see determine if she is ready. My dd started pointe when she was 11 I think (its a long time ago now!) In her pointe class there was 16 year olds just starting on pointe. I think the youngest in her school on pointe at the time was 8 or 9, but she was incredibly strong AND doing a lot of ballet classes at the time. It may be that your friend has misunderstood what is going on. Might be worth a casual mention from you to suggest she looks into it further.

What a fantastic analogy @Viv - and so beautifully expressed.

@Viv - not only have you rediscovered your love of ballet, but you are wise and insightful enough to have recognised that the situation was not all you thought it was at the time. Your post is brave and inspirational. I am so happy for you that you are able to find joy in dance again, and hope that this is helping you to heal and accept your tremendous loss. Thankyou for sharing.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about Musical Theatre courses on this forum. There are loads of people here with experience or with a strong interest in that direction. Its definitely not all bun-heads here!

If your schedule permits, why not try doing both and see how you get along for a bit? If it works...great. If not you can always drop down to just one. If you had to chose between the two I would opt for Intermediate, but only because I have the perception that it opens other doors (eg access to teaching qualifications).

I love pilates, and it can be absolutely fantastic for injury rehabilitation, but I would only go down this route if you can get either 1 to 1 or small group lessons with an experienced teacher. Make sure the teacher is aware of the weakness/injury and of any advice the physio has given as they may need to tailor the exercises to your DD's needs. For injury rehabilitation I would steer away large group sessions in gyms and online because the instructor won't have time to focus on the individual needs.

The network of contacts that your dd builds while at vocational school may be invaluable. eg If she needs a short term lease in Manchester, it may coincide with a friend of a friend who lives in Manchester taking a temporary contract elsewhere, or going on tour.

@joyofdanceI think it is normal for us as dance parents to have a sense of mourning when our DC's step away from the intense path that they were on, whatever the reason. After all we have invested much time, emotion, hope and dedication to that path - just as they have. My dd chose to give up dance after 5 years working professionally. She knew she had taken her dance career as far as she could and wanted other challenges. Recently we went to watch a ballet in the theatre and she commented how glad she was that this hadn't been her entire life. That much as her 12 year old self wanted nothing more than to spend her whole life dancing all day every day, now she is grateful that she has done so much more with her life. I can assure you that the time your dd spent training as a dancer was not wasted. It has taught her vital skills which will transfer into any future walk of life - work ethic, how to follow instructions, memory skills, team work to name but a few. And the joy of dance will hopefully live with her for a lifetime. And like my daughter she will love going to the theatre and watching dancers that she trained with performing. And she will love dancing for pleasure on her own terms when she is ready.

I love your name @Hairpinseverywhere - I think all the parents of DDs can relate to that! Good luck to your DD and to @Silversparkle's DD.

@Peanut68 - this did make me smile. I read your post late last night and didn't notice the typos! What does that say?? @Dancers Dad - I think my dd had a few lessons on make up when she was at NBS many years ago. In any case, she never bought fancy brands, just what suited her budget and her skin. I'm sure the older girls will be able to give advice as well.

I can't speak for dance teachers, but I know when dd was dancing professionally and based in US she often bought rehearsal clothes from lulu lemon as they were comfortable and durable. They are now available online in the UK and offer gift vouchers so that may be an option https://www.lululemon.co.uk/en-gb/home