Stirrups36

as we walked up to the Coliseum, seeing absolutely nothing about the Acosta performances, I had a momentary panic and checked the tickets to make sure it wasn't on at Sadlers Wells.

I also commented in the news article, so don't want to double post. Anyway, the ENO say the air conditioning has been fixed and so if you are on the way to the Coliseum, you won't have the steamy theatre we had... Only the steamy dancing... (With a cliche like that maybe I should be a full time dance critic... Maybe not)

I think the 'plenty of takers' were well served last night. A steamy Coliseum the only drawback. As relative ballet newcomers, we were enthralled and entertained. Like visiting Rome and throwing a coin in the Trevi Fountain, vowing to return, we saw extracts that made us think more than once "I'd like to see that again in full." Or "exactly what happened that caused that ending in Mayerling?" And even "I'd like to see all of that again. Vadim in ENBs version was superb as well". We saw excellent dancing, we heard an excellent choir and listened to a superb Sinfonia. We saw the 'old guard' (is it disrespectful to call them that? their dancing belied their years) and the new. As previous posts bemoan the audiences levels for visiting ballet companies, then maybe it is programmes like this that will replenish the audiences and help ensure the future of Ballet, moving people beyond Nutcracker and onto triple bills, or Macmillan, or, or, or... Bravo Carlos, (and thanks for those understanding that they would not enjoy such a gala and leaving some seats for us newbies!).

and if you happen to be near Salzberg... or can get there and are between 12-20, then there are some places left on the Youth version of the Summer School that my DS is currently on (and enjoying a lot) and the applicaiton deadline has been extended into August.. This one is only 10 days though. http://siba-ballet-workshop.org/program.htm

I believe scholarships are only for boys. But some have found other ways of getting funded. See here - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1305825676/the-montana-rocky-mountains-meet-the-austrian-alps

It looks like summer schools are on the agenda at the moment, so I thought I would update you regarding DS who is as I speak somewhere on a Friday night out in Salzburg! (Takes deep breath...). He is loving the SIBA summer school. Doing things he would not have done otherwise such as Nacho Duarto choreography. Learnt a few variations and despite being the youngest boy at 14, seems to have made loads of new friends. Evidently a trip to Montana is on the cards! They are really looking after him (many thanks Nili) and we are looking forward to seeing him in a couple of weeks time on stage in Munich. Would I recommend it... Oh yes. Could you cope with your child being away for 4 weeks in a other country... Well, it's what they will need to do once they are a full time dancer. And as I say, they are looked after well without being too over monitored. After all, others on the school are in their early 20's. some dancing professionally for companies ( there is at least one soloist for a US company). Which is great for our DS to hear 'from the horses mouth' what a dance career is like. And finally... Thank goodness for a certain Mobile phone company's international rates of 50p for up to a 60 minute call! Will post more at a later date.

in our experience - with a boy - sew names into everything! (maybe socks less important, but make sure you have a good supply ready). Also, it will really make your life easier when they do keep losing something and you say to the houseparents 'it doesn't have a name on'! DS is also now quite good (after 3 years) at sewing them in himself on new items and sewing the elastics.

Too busy doing Exams and shows... Hmmm. I wonder lessons like that have any link to the Carlos Acosta comments? But some great ideas above.

I'm afraid that bitter experience with media leaves me to believe that such comments are the Journalist's take on what Carlos and the RBS spokeswoman (who was probably asked to comment specifically about what Carlos had said, so addressed it directly) said. There may be some truth, but I am sure that this is not just what the conversations were about. For example, a little research from the journalist would point to MDS and DADA awards... But that would detract from his article. Also, Carlos doesn't actually say the dearth of women dancers IN THE UK is a crisis, but generally. In fact, none of Carlos's quotes mention the UK specifically, it is the journalist's words that do that. And of course, why not? after all, we are in the UK. But could Carlos's comment be equally true in Portugal, France, Germany, Brazil, South Africa or Nigeria? If the journalist in question is reading this, maybe he would like to comment?

I believe fringes are not allowed as facial expression includes the eybrow and forehead area (same for boys as girls) and fringes too long, especially towards the end of the term, can reduce the visibility of this key area of expression. that's what we have been told by all our child's teachers since, well, forever! however, as a boy, he doesn't have the bun hassle (just the dance belt hassle... and that's a whole different thread).

Elmhurst Dads (well this one anyway!) head to sports direct for white trainers, which are worn almost non-stop. Black trainers or shoes hardly ever. We have found some Lonsdale ones to be fine - no logos and almost completely white. They usually last about a term each pair. So now each term we buy one pair, keep the old pair for muddy days and throw a pair away.

Elmhurst did help out with a chiropodist (at a cost) when Our son got a verruca. But otherwise... I don't think so. He is getting better, especially as we point out that these are his 'tools' and he needs them to be in as good condition as possible,

Super post NL, and spot on. Move over Clement Crisp!

My son treasures his pic with him in between Osipova and Vasiliiev taken recently after Laurencia They were courteous although obviously tired. All his pals at Ballet school are very envious. There were abut 30 or so there and some were not so polite. One woman almost grabbed them, thrust a camera into my hands and demanded 'take our picture, take our picture". So she has a photo now of a stunned looking pair, plus her... Although I think my camera work wasn't too good and I might just have cut her in half!

As a former head of year, I used to have to check reports. My favourite 'mistake' was the ICT teacher who had discovered find and replace (this was back in the mid 90's so not all had). His report was full of this kind of thing - "John Smith has had an ejohnsmithcellent year". But I also remember every trainee PE teacher at college also having to do dance as part of their course. No more Obviously.

Tinker, there is the WL summer school to look forward to and hopefully that will reinvigorate his passion for dance. Just getting there is a huge achievement. Keep him taking lessons and there is always next year. As is evident from ALL the various discussion on this board, there are many, many varied ways to an end point and as long as they are enjoying the journey, all's well and good. So, just remember to tell him that a good number of students go to vocational school in years 8,9,10 for the first time and that he need to keep on working hard and enjoying himself. The money you save from not going to vocational school this year (which wil always be much more than you think it will be! But that's something for a different thread) can go towards a couple of extra lessons, or some boys only classes. I think if he is going into secondary school, then getting some boys only classes somewhere is essential.

The website seems pretty good to me. InEnglish as well. http://english.palucca.eu/en/palucca_school/greeting.html I just had a couple of minutes looking at the newsletters and the October 2011 has a list of graduate destinations. Maybe other newsletters contain similar information.

My memory isn't what it used to be... Was year 8 really so long ago? Shorts for year 7 and 8 at Elmhurst. Sorry!

No shorts - tights and leotards. . Don't worry.

I agree with Bankrupt Mum. our DS did a lot of tap, and whilst the teacher at Elmhurst is super, the number of lessons is very small, mixed ability and quite crowded. Just enough to keep him from going rusty really. But after all, Elmhurst is a classical ballet school, so that emphasis is to be expected.

you'll find out more about grey whites at Elmhurst billy!

Yes, Marks and Spencer's trousers are the ones they recommend - last till they are halfway up the boy's shins! Another hint. They only wear formal uniform on odd occasions. During the day they wear their tracksuit bottoms (you'll see these a LOT) and white trainers. We get the trainers, with no or little logos, from sports direct usually for about £10-15 a time depending on stock. He goes through about 1 pair a term.

Well, thanks JulieW, they do say you learn something new everyday. A bunch of parents at Elmhurst have just got very pleased! Mainly the boys parents as we don't have as much expense of buying pointe shoes every month.

MDS awards at Elmhurst include about £600 per year for dance uniform, which includes ballet, tap and jazz shoes. We easily use this up for our son usually with a few tens of pounds left at the end of the year. It has to be purchased through one shop. It doesn't include academic uniform, which he wears about 4-5 times a year. We have just had to buy a new Blazer at £95, so if any starters at Elmhurst want a good small blazer, let me know.

Hi Double Tour, my son is in year 9 now and will be in year 10 in september. The lads' parents are a friendly bunch, there aren't that many of us! DM me if you want any more info. I am sure your son will love it.