Stirrups36

Really interesting blog - all the articles are very well written. A question. Why do so many of the Brits leave 'after a couple of months'?

We didn't do such things at mid year 6, because DS wanted to wait until end of year 6 - only closest of his friends knew about the Ballet. After that, why not? We did allow photos to be used by his dance school (s), after all, it was their teaching that got him to where he is and as we were happy with the school, then supporting them in their continued existence is a good thing. My mantra about any letting photos out on the open internet, which includes press - if you would be happy to have the images enlarged, with all the details and then have that put on posters around your local town and beyond, then fine. If you would not like that to happen, don't put it on the internet. Of course, this doesn't apply to private boards or sharing. Just watch the privacy settings.

This announced by Liz Truss, education minister -http://bit.ly/1gdOSDS £28 million. What was the figure for 2013-14? Anyone know? Also that Dance and Drama GCSEs will count separately for purposes of school reporting.

Do you know, whichever is chosen, she will probably have a great time. Maybe Make the decision for more pragmatic reasons - cost. Timing - with school and your family holidays. location, cost again! , are auditions needed? Which leads to more... Cost! For our DS chosen Summer school, we combine it with our family holiday to reduce the impact and cost overall. most are held in lovely places.

I think this year you do. But email Nili - email addressi on the website - who is the organiser and she is always very helpful in setting out what is possible. Also if there are any spaces left.

Yes, as Nana Lily says, siba in Salzburg was great fun for my DS. It is 4 weeks though, but you may still be eligible for boys scholarship, which reduces the fees. .

if you are in a school in London, then you have access to a load of free dance resources made available through the London Grid for Learning. To access these, if you are accessing them physically inside a UK school (i.e. a teacher or pupil) then you should just be able to click on the link and start. if you are at home, then usually you can only log in using LGfL usernames. You'll know if you have one! but here is what's available and they really are good, especially for any level dance studies. 1) Balletboyz - Contemporary Dance Project - www.balletboyz.lgfl.net featuring educational videos from the boyz about the dances Encore, Torsion, Naked, Breathe. investigate Maliphant's choreography and, well, much more. 2) Overdrive: An in-depth analysis of Richard Alston's 2003 piece "Overdrive". www.overdrive.lgfl.net Alston in Overdrive is an essential resource for students and teachers of dance, music and the performing arts. Developed in partnership with 'The Place', this online resource offers a comprehensive analysis of how the choreography of "Overdrive" is structured, as well as detailed discussion of Terry Riley's music "Keyboard Study #1".

My son went to LRBS a few years ago, then onto a UK vocational school as we were also going to be moving away from London and had all aspects of education to consider. Great teaching at LRBS. The vocational sixth form is new, so I don't know much about that. Maybe I should... We used to joke about the 1 hour lessons that lasted almost 90 minutes! Although not so sure the adult classes waiting to come in afterwards were so happy... Resigned maybe! (And the Christmas vodka and champagne party was incredible!)

I've done some tweeting for you as well. @boysdoballet Hope it helps and enough sign up.

No problem. Bye.

What exactly is the purpose of this thread? To moan about British schools? To discuss why overseas students are so good and British students aren't? Any school will have its problems and if you have a problem with a school, then there are always ways to make your views known at the school - exactly as with state schools, or indeed any sort of high level training in any sport or art. I am sure there are many dancers who started the Bolshoi at 11 who do not have contracts at 18. Wonder how their complaints got heard... But if UK schools are not good enough for you, then good luck with the private coaching, overseas schools or whatever. Fortunately in the UK, we have plenty of choice and as has often been quoted on ballet.co, we are the consumers so can vote with our feet. Just make sure the grass IS greener.

You will have seen some details about the Salzburg school on the forum. 1 month long, but well worthy it. DS enjoyed it last year.

DS auditioned once or twice for a certain musical. Initial auditions were a maelstrom (great word - think that's my word of the day) of spinning, jumping, splitting boys. VERY intimidating. Vocational school were calm in comparison. But what got me more with regards to ballet was the general dismissal of the Dads taking their children. I reckon it is even more intimidating for us. Luckily, I decided very early on just to talk to pretty much any and everyone, and am thankful for their welcome and advice. The ones that didn't really engage back were usually the jumping spinning splitting parents.

This from twitter, I am sure some of you may have seen it recently. @bijan1992: 2 years ago dance changed me physically & emotionally in a country where dance, art isnt appreciated http://t.co/j0dzfKO0tJ

If he has had 2 years of JA, then he is reasonably likely to get a place somewhere. My son never got into JAs, but is now in year 10 of classical ballet training. We went to all's the 4 vocational schools that have MDS funding, as we had no experience of ballet schools, and it gave us a good overview of the differences. So if money allows, do that. It also meant we met quite a few of the same faces, some that we still know today. So a good time to have a chat, you'll probably meet parents from JAs at all of these, as well as JA parents from other centres. All good fun really! And if he gets in - with a funded place - excellent. If not, then there are other routes, and we do know of boys who did not go to vocational school in year 7 who are at vocational school now.

Also, London Children's Ballet http://londonchildrensballet.com/workshops%20-%20summer%20school.htm And cecchetti summer schools http://www.cecchetti.co.uk/summerschools Include age 10

I think people have said what I would say, don't get too hung up on photos. If they are looking for 12 year olds on pointe, then that's what they are looking for and if my daughter can't... Then she can't so it isn't worth trying to make it look as though she can! But as others have said, they may see potential in all the other poses. So you could still give it a try or maybe just wait a year. There are lots of other really good summer schools around that may be cheaper, do as good, if not better a job for your children and are just as enjoyable, again, if not more, enjoyable for your child. For my son, we took the photos ourselves in our next door neighbours extension (better light), copying the poses we saw in a book. He got in twice to RBS SS, is now well established at ballet school, but on the converse, never got accepted for associates. And his favourite summer school isn't an RBS one. (And to answer another question on the forum, we could try keeping him from dancing during the vacations... But We might as well cut his feet off!) Have a good new year all. Dancers and dancer dads and mums.

Get in touch with Dave from Davetriesballet.com as he started as a complete beginner at age 20. I think he is in the Bristol area, so he may know of some more places for you to go to if you are South Wales. Lots of super links on his site. Also look on twitter for him and others such as boysdoballet.com.

I think the video was done for a dance exhibition in London, so is quite general. The kind of think you see as you walk past and stop for a couple of minutes or so. So more verbal information probably not so effective for that purpose. What could be useful (for any school) is a brief minute or so of different year classes. With a commentary on what is learnt during that year.

We really enjoyed our unplanned evening, good to see the differences between the different company versions as we have seen the BRB version previously. Tamara was indeed on super form. The dress circle was far from full, but when I looked online yesterday the upper circle and the balcony were pretty much full up. As for travel, we drove and parked just round the corner, something not possible on a normal day. As a North Londoner, I shall refrain from making any comment about South Londoners having difficulty travelling north across the river...

Use the code present10 to get ANY remaining tickets for £10 for tonight's performance. Dress circle tickets for the family now firmly in the email inbox... Ok, doesn't sound the same as 'in the pocket' but the end effect is the same. Happy buying...

Another option. Feel free to ignore it completely! Do as good a degree/course as you can from the best college you can get into. Where is often as important as what. But you should make sure it is what you enjoy. It is 3 years after all and costs a lot., Do arts/ballet/dance as voluntary or part time work to get experience. If there is a college or local dance or arts group, get involved. Become chair or treasurer, act booker, event organiser, cleaner upper after events, whatever. Do as much vacation work in ballet as you can. Then if a ballet/dance job opens up on graduation, you have actual experience. If not, then the fall back of a politician is available! But also, prospective employers in other areas will see that you can actually do something practical and you never know, it might even be fun!

It looks like the school is being run by the Adagio school of dance. http://www.adagioschoolofdance.co.uk

looks like you'll have to take some 'ballet.co.uk forum' flyers to Dance Attic.

I agree with Arizona, dance works not suitable for age 11. Our 15 yr old DS enjoys the Russian teacher, having done Russian classes in the past and Anna Du Boisson.