Lifeafterballet

Still available. Open to offers 😊

The sixth form destinations of vocational year 11 pupils would be very interesting I feel so probably why they aren’t publicised. In our experience RBS year 11 students rarely entered Elmhurst US. Only two boys in my children’s time I can recall. But I’m aware of a lot auditioning. I’m not really sure as to why that is 🤔 YDA I think would be happy to publish as they have no upper school. Sadly again though, it’s like with graduate destinations, if you don’t get that dream contract then they don’t celebrate your children’s successes.

Not in our experience

When Dd was in year 7 I used to drive an 8 hour round trip for Ds to do the associate class on a Saturday at Elmhurst. We used to joke that it was easier to get a prison visitors pass than to she her while I was there or heaven forbid take her out for a couple of hours. The ones who couldn’t go home at the weekends would all sneak into the main building, they weren’t allowed in there except to go for meals, just so they could see a parent of one of them. I don’t think they really cared whose parent it was, it was just to have some outside contact. I remember feeling very sad for them 😞. 11 is very young. Dd did prep, homework, for the last hour of the day, before supper at 6pm. This was some time ago. There was always a timetable rivalry between Academics and dance. Looks like dance won 🤣

Thank you for sharing. Every ballet / dance student and parents should be educated in RED-S, Female Athlete Triad and Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea. Diagnosis and treatment could prevent long term health problems.

It’s an imbalance, input vs output. The vocational school GP my 13 year old, BMI down to 16 and overtraining pre appraisal daughter saw, prescribed her Ensure build up drinks 😡 Funnily enough she didn’t drink them. There was a problem and that wasn’t the solution. She didn’t get the help and treatment she needed until she stopped ballet and saw professionals not connected with that world. Its something that isn’t checked and sadly causes long term damage 😞 If they aren’t growing there is a problem. And for the record my daughter never stopped eating, she controlled her intake to pause her growth and was rewarded for this.

You are so right 👏 Having also had a child leave for vocational ballet school at 11, we regret naively accepting the offer. Dd was too young to make a career choice. She just liked dancing. The decisions we made will haunt us and affect her for the rest of her life 😞 Ds went to vocational ballet school at 17. He was mature enough to make that choice. There are many routes to being a professional dancer, vocational school is just one, and in our experience not always the only and best one.

https://www.nike.com/gb/a/what-is-female-athlete-triad Sorry, took time to work that out 🤣

I forgot to mention my change of name 😊 When I joined this forum spontaneously in 2013, Dd was in year 7 and that evening I was sat drinking a bottle, not a whole one, of Cote du Rhone red wine 🍷. There have been many bottles consumed during our families ballet journey. It’s nearly over now and I felt it was time for a more appropriate name 🤣

I wish we had heard of this. Actually, I wish my child’s school and the schools GP had heard of this too. Maybe then the long term damage would be less. Female Athlete Triad, RED-S and Hypothalamic Amenorrhoea should be talked about in vocational ballet schools and those affected should receive the right education and support to help prevent long term implications.

Everything Experts Want You to Know About the Female Athlete Triad Health & Wellness This sneaky syndrome affects athletes of all ages and abilities. Thankfully, it can be treated using a team approach. Last updated: 28 February 2023 5 min read For female athletes of all ages and fitness levels, involvement in sport and exercise has been proven to offer a host of benefits, like improved self-esteem and a stronger, healthier body. But for some athletes, prioritising exercise over adequate recovery and nutrition can occur, resulting in a relatively common condition: the female athlete triad. The Female Athlete Triad, Explained According to a 2000 article in American Family Physician, the female athlete triad consists of three components: Disordered eating. "Without ample nutrition to fuel and repair the body, the athlete may become fatigued and/or not perform as well as they should", said Bridget J. Quinn, MD, a sports medicine doctor in the Female Athlete Program at Boston Children's Hospital and head medical adviser for the Boston Ballet. Irregular periods. Poor nutrition, low calorie intake and high energy demands from exercise can cause irregular periods or lead to amenorrhoea, which is the loss of the period. "If your menstrual cycle is being influenced, that's a vital sign that something in the body is malfunctioning", Quinn said. Low bone mineral density. If periods stop, subsequent hormone changes can disrupt bone-building processes, which can weaken bones and cause osteoporosis (low bone mineral density) in severe cases. The triad is especially prevalent in endurance sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics, figure skating and rowing. "But it can strike athletes of any age and ability", Quinn said. According to "Female Athlete Series: Female Athlete Triad", published by Boston's Children Hospital Sports Medicine, if left untreated, the female athlete triad can have severe consequences like infertility, an increased risk of heart disease and heightened vulnerability to stress fractures. The female athlete triad falls under the umbrella of relative energy deficiency in sport, or RED-S, a syndrome of health issues and declining athletic performance due to a lack of sufficient calories to support the energy demands of training, according to Boston Children's Hospital. How Is the Female Athlete Triad Diagnosed? Because the symptoms fall on a spectrum, the female athlete triad can be tricky to diagnose. For one, the three conditions may ebb and flow. For example, over-exercising may take the main stage while someone continues to menstruate. Alternatively, despite an athlete programming correctly, their period may be lost due to low caloric intake. "It's not necessarily an either-or scenario", Quinn said. To receive a diagnosis and map out a treatment plan, it's crucial to visit a doctor or comparable licensed medical professional. Quinn shared that key factors will be considered during these initial reviews to result in a diagnosis, such as: Miss several periods in a row Get a bone stress fracture in sport Think you might have disordered eating However, Quinn encouraged athletes to think outside these factors. "Low energy availability affects so many systems in the body", she said. The triad may also show up as: Frequent gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as bloating and constipation Chronic fatigue Nagging injuries Bottom line: If things feel "off", see your registered GP. Be ready to give your GP a complete medical history. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends going over what you eat, any changes in your weight, whether you've missed any periods and your injury history. The doctor will give a physical exam that may include checking height and weight, blood pressure, vision, and heart and lungs, and examining your muscles, bones and joints. They may also use laboratory tests to check for pregnancy, thyroid disease and other medical conditions to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. And if symptoms and medical history suggest weakened bones, the doctor may recommend a bone density test. This will arm the athlete with insights to train and recover the best way possible for their body—while lowering the risk of stress fractures and other commonly related injuries. How Is the Female Athlete Triad Treated? If you get a triad diagnosis, the doctor may refer to a team of specialists for treatment. "It's an interdisciplinary approach", said Michelle T. Barrack, PhD, RD, CSSD, FACSM and President of the Female and Male Athlete Triad Coalition. Depending on symptoms and health issues, these specialists may include a sports dietitian, counsellor or psychologist, and a gynaecologist and/or endocrinologist. The primary goal of treatment is to improve nutrition to build a healthy body weight, replenish energy and restore the menstrual cycle. Should the athlete also receive an eating disorder diagnosis, it's essential to work with a mental health practitioner and a registered dietitian if possible. The Bottom Line "The female athlete triad is a sneaky syndrome", Quinn said. Be aware of the warning signs and get in touch with a doctor or other licensed medical professional for help earlier rather than later. "The earlier that treatment begins, the easier it will be to optimise energy and nutrition and prevent long-term consequences, especially to bone health", Barrack said. Words by Lauren Bedosky

That was the height cut off when my 5ft 3 Dd looked at Northern three years ago. She didn’t apply though, £££££ and it was like repeating her graduate year, and after 8 years of vocational training she had had enough 🤣

BRB recently launched BRB2 and said it was based on the two year RBS Aub Jebson program and Dutch Nationals Junior Company. This to me implies that there are positions for graduates. I know lots of dancers from the U.K. who are in the EU. If they want you they will make it happen. Just throw caution to the wind and send them photos and footage. From what I’ve seen a lot of companies are only doing auditions by invitation. Expect a lot of no replies and rejection but be bold and give it a go. You never know, you might be just what they are looking for 😊

The EU still manage to, and always have, hire dancers from the US, Australia and Japan for example, who would require the same visa as U.K. students. Maybe we have to look deeper into why British dancers don’t seem to be getting the very few contracts that are around. My sons EU company have continued to hire dancers from all over the world, including the U.K. They will make it happen if they really want them. I personally feel it’s time for British schools to be honest and transparent with students and parents about their chances of getting that dream job and help them all prepare for that very important Plan B. Sadly once your are in the ballet bubble you start to believe that commitment, dedication and hard work pays off. In our experience of ballet I don’t believe that to be true. It’s very sad 😞 but you really do need a sack of money post vocational school to even have a stab at a career.

The international summer intensives my daughter and son did were the most happiest memories we have of their ballet journey. Experiencing different countries and cultures, making new friends and we found them less competitive and stressful. They ignited their passion for ballet and allowed them to explore their artistry and performance ability. More freedom I guess 😊 it’s not all about corrections imo They also helped them later with the international auditions they attended. They knew what they were up against and most of the time were met with friendly faces from past summers. From her experiences of international intensives, competitions, short term visits and YAGP Dd knows a lot of her brothers company dancers. It’s a small world really and it’s good to get acquainted with it early. You can’t rely on the school to give you everything you need, or competitive U.K. summer intensives. Dd was offered RBS SS from YAGP twice and passed it up to go elsewhere. She did YBSS twice and found it tense and competitive with a focus on a particular schools students. The only U.K. summer and Easter intensives we returned to year on year was Malvern. It gave my children everything they needed. Quality teaching in a nurturing, fun and inclusive environment. International summer intensives are expensive and we were lucky enough to be offered scholarships to attend the majority. A few we turned into a holiday and others they travelled alone to, developing confidence, independence and life skills. When Dd was 17 when she flew on her own to Fort Lauderdale for an intensive. The houseparent was collecting her at the airport. She must have looked a lot younger than her years and border control detained her, took her passport and accused her of travelling on someone else’s. She rang us and mid conversation she was told to hang up. They didn’t believe her. It’s only when the intensives houseparent came forward to verify her identity and age that she was allowed to pass through 😅 You didn’t need a parental letter to travel then, I think under 18’s do now. Houston was a bit hairy too as I recall 🤣

My two graduated 3/4 years ago so can’t comment on the up to date stuff but you don’t mention A levels. In our personal experience they are very valuable post training if that job doesn’t happen and there’s a desire to go the University. We found the academic teaching staff fabulous and both mine left with fab results, which one is using and the other will fall back on eventually. Also look at the graduate destinations. They look fab on the website but do your research and prepare for the fact that paid jobs are slim and you may have to continue to pay post the three years training for your child to dance.

Open to offers 😊

Estonian National Ballet are performing Swan Lake this week at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin. My son is dancing but sadly we can’t get there to watch 😢 Full house and standing ovation 👏👏 at the premiere last night. Anyone going ?

Both my children attended Malvern. Fantastic teaching in a relaxed, supportive and inclusive environment. Less of a competitive feel compared to some others. I wouldn’t worry about grades etc, they focus on performance, artistry and the love of dance. Lots of fun activities too. Both my children were vocational and felt that Malvern was a place they could rekindle their love and passion for ballet, which sometimes gets a bit tainted at school. Malvern was like visiting family. Everyone is welcomed and valued. We either stayed in the local Premier Inn or a lovely AirBnb a short walk away. Malvern is a beautiful place with lots of fabulous walks too. I hope your Dd enjoys her time there and makes lots of new friends 😊 That is more important than the corrections imo

Both my children attended Daria Klimentovas. They were both 16/17 so it was the senior course and for two weeks. They both enjoyed it, Prague is beautiful. I got to visit when my son auditioned for Czech National Ballet 😊 They were greeted at the airport and escorted to the hotel which was a short walk from the studios and was clean. The rooms slept 4/5 or more and they could request who they would like to share with. The course itself is very well run. Daria and Vadim are very welcoming and attract a lot of fabulous teachers and AD from around the world. In the senior course they were split into two groups and do opposite classes as in ballet, rep, contemporary and pas de deux. There are plenty of boys to dance with. It’s attended by a lot of students from RBS and internationals. It’s good for meeting other ballet students and seeing the international standard and competition. Important when heading into graduate year and auditions I think. U.K. ballet schools I feel sadly “bubble” their students and they get very little exposure to the world ballet community so when they first attend international auditions it can be a bit of a shock as to the standard. My daughter did international competitions and intensives so was prepared but my son had little exposure and was a bit overwhelmed at first. But he learned quickly and got job offers 😀 The days are quite full so there’s not a huge amount of down time but Prague is a wonderful place to visit with lots of restaurants etc and the weather is usually hot 🥵 Hope that helps your decision making and good luck x

A reflection by my daughter on her two years post ballet. Since this year marks two years since I hung up the pointe shoes, I feel it's fitting to post a ballet photo & share a reflection of the last two years. The ballet world isn't as open as people hope it would be. Having lived & breathed it vocationally from age eleven, I have had my fair share of trauma, which most people will be in denial about, myself included. You sacrifice a lot for the art form, some of which you will never heal from. As much as it is rewarding, it is as equally harmful in many respects. However this isn't a post to degrade the art, it is merely a shared reflection of how I have grown & flourished since moving on from what people associated me with & for those battling the choice to step away. I have built friendships & relationships with incredible people who have comforted me when I felt low, carried me to bed after drunken nights & laughed so hard I didn't realise it was possible. 1 have healed mentally & physically after suffering with hypothalamic amenorrhea & I am proud of how far I have come. A saying that has stuck with me goes 'you cannot truly heal within the environment that made you sick' & I feel every word of that. I now understand what it means to genuinely feel happy & be optimistic about the future which for dancers is a daunting prospect whether they be in a school or professional company. I returned back to the ballet world however in a different role which was liberating. Empowering & supporting dancers by sharing new knowledge combined with my experience, listening & engaging. Now with an outsiders perspective, I see on both social media & in person the negativity & unhealthy behaviours which are normalised & accepted within the ballet world which need addressing. I like to think that as a ballet community we are progressing however sadly this progress is slow & not quick enough. 1am proud to be one of many girls & guys who grew up within the ballet world who has stepped away to embrace a bright & exciting future beyond the stage, despite the fear of judgment having given 100% commitment for 8 years. Let's hope 2023 enables us all to step in the right direction, encourage & be happy for everyone's successes.

Sadly and in our personal experience I don’t believe that to be the case in ballet schools and companies. My daughter had all the signs and was poorly managed, supported and advised. Two years after stopping ballet she is still dealing with the effects of REDs.

https://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2019/04/22/relative-energy-deficiency-in-sport-red-s-recognition-and-next-steps/

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwTOzHImPD/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= This is new for next year. And a fabulous city to visit 😀

My son was 17 years old when he started year 12 and I know if others who were 18 😊 There wasn’t a problem then.