hfbrew

Yes it was and mispronounced too!

 

I knew my English composers last night. Mind you I often shout Tchaikovsky as soon as music is mentioned as it often is one of the correct answers.

Sadly they don't seem to come to Tunbridge Wells any more. Which is a shame. We get less and less ballet now. In fact virtually none. We do get the Russian State Ballet and Opera House but the Nutcracker of theirs I went to was shockingly poor with dancers who seemed not to care. I always enjoyed the Ballet Theatre Uk performances.

One of the dancers who is local to Tunbridge Wells was saying to me the other day that none of the many Ballet Schools in the area were made aware of Aladdin last season. Sadly, it seems that it was one of the Theatres that only make the minimum effort when promoting this company.Many theatres will only host one Ballet a year and prefer the Russian touring companies.

Online Worcester was looking pretty much sold out too and unfortunately one of my DDs cannot do next Friday. I will check with the box office though as I have found that I've got tickets before in person that were showing as 'already sold' online.

That's a good idea as Worcester is one of the Theatres that sometimes only shows two rows available online making it look as if the rest is sold out when this absolutely isn't the case. It's always a good idea to check directly with any theatre! Not just to check on seat availability but also timings because sometimes they do change them.

Gutted I missed this in Tewkesbury but it completely slipped my mind and then I could not get tickets - unless I wanted front row which I do not like for this theatre.  Good news for the company though if they are getting good audiences.

They are in Worcester next Friday!

Will be seeing in Brighton and looking forward to it!!

Perhaps we will meet at long last!

Saw this in Tewkesbury last night and really enjoyed it.

I last saw this production in 2011 and thought it was good then but was slow in places, whereas last night was slick and well danced and acted by all the dancers.

Sarah Mortimer was wonderful as Gerda and Claire Corruble Cabot was a magnificent Snow Queen. I also enjoyed excellent comic timing from David Brewer and Charlotte Eades but then I would!

 

Full tour dates are on Ballet Theatre UK website.

 

But one of my reasons for posting is that there are lovely programs AND cast lists! So I can retire from posting such information on Ballet.co!

The statement “you have to be in full time training by 14 or you are not going to make it as a classical ballet dancer” is a bit “old school”.

Yes definitely. And I feel that I must say that many of those who have been in full time training since 11 are quite often very surprised at just quickly those students who join them at sixth form level catch up, if they are not already at the same level which some are due to excellent local training.

 

There are those who wish they had waited until 16!

 

It's very hard for anyone to get a pure classical contract these days, whatever their background. One only has to look at the auditions pages of Dance Europe to see this as more and more companies demand versatility.

 

Even RBS graduates are not guaranteed a job, the end of year statistics only account for those who survive to the end!

 

So the sensible advice would be not to do Ballet! But for us bunheads that's like being asked not to breathe.

 

If you, like me didn't start full-time training until 16 or older then please ignore all those that try to tell you it's too late and take heart from the fact that an audition panel/s has decided that yes you do merit full time training and yes there is a chance, however slim, that you will get that contract!

 

Hfbrew - what do you mean by securing the hair pin on either side?

 

One on the right, one on the left..

My younger students are awarded stars for coming with hair in a bun, especially if done with net, pins and grips.

 

And extra merit is given to those who do it themselves! Even if it looks messy as practice makes perfect. They soon learn!

 

I have been on the lookout for decent instructions for my students online myself but none seem quite right so any recommendations greatly appreciated.

 

As far as getting an even bun is concerned I find that securing the hairpin on either side with a couple of pins before adding the net helps.

 

 

 

 

There is a wealth of young talent at the RB, including the wonderful Matthew Ball. Where they come from doesn't really matter but I am happy to see a gradual return to a more unified, identifiable RB style. Dancers such as Yasmine Naghdi, James Hay, Francsca Hayward, Matthew Ball, Reece Clark, ...all have the beautiful English style of dancing.

 

And all of these British trained from a very early age, most if not all were JAs and all went to WL and U.S..

Really urge all dance teachers out there to complete this survey by Monday. The new charges being proposed by PRS have big implications for the costs of running dance classes, especially small ones. For example a fee of approx. £1 per class taught regardless of length of class taught or number of students.  So four 30 minute "Baby" classes would cost £4, one 2 hour  long class just £1. A private lesson would be liable to the same fee as a class of 20! It doesn't sound a lot to begin with but if a school is running 20-30 classes a week then over the course of a year the costs mount up considerably.

 

I don't have any objection to paying PRS fees by the way but the proposals mean a huge increase in costs which will inevitably impact on fees charged to students. Currently I pay a fee that is based on a consultation with PRS about the size of the school as a whole. Part of the proposed changes is to put the onus on Hall owners which would inevitably drive up rents. I also don't think its reasonable to ask scout halls etc to have this extra hassle- the onus should be on the hirers themselves to ensure all licences and insurances are in place.

 

Apparently the new proposals are on a survey completed by only 600 teachers worldwide a couple of years back. As it is I was only made aware of this yesterday thanks to the RAD e-mailing their teachers.

 

Here is the link, I hope it works.

 

 

http://www.prsformusic.com/users/businessesandliveevents/musicforbusinesses/customerconsultation/fitness-dance/pages/default.aspx

 

 

 

Thoroughly enjoyed watching the Trocks again last night, they never disappoint.

 

But watching the Dying Swan I did wonder if there is any one out there lucky enough to have seen Pavlova perform the role originally?

As a ballet teacher who also ends up with lost property can I make a plea - NAMES IN EVERYTHING! It is then easy to return the item to its owner.  Unnamed items are often not claimed.

Hear hear! I get children saying oh but my cardigan, shoe, skirt etc has loose stitching, another name ( if it's second hand) certain size etc. I have to point out that whilst they may be able to identify their items,I can't if there is no name!

Crossovers are the worst...

I'm really looking forward to this! Booked months ago!

Well done to your son.

Of course I'll research the schools themselves if my DS doesn't change his mind about auditioning next year. But I think it's also worth asking on the forum with so many experienced parents.

You are right, it's definitely worth asking on here for first hand experience !

However policies and subjects on offer will not remain constant and its always best to check with the schools directly as well.

It wasn't easy but at Tring ds got 3 A levels plus the Trinity level 6 Diploma.

 

He chose Tring after several offers because of the variety of A level subjects.

 

We researched the schools themselves for the information needed.

Thinking of every parent who finds themselves wandering into an empty bedroom this morning...you will always miss them (even after 8 years) but it does get easier and the bonus is there is more food left in the fridge....

And the loo roll goes further....

And having to shop, cook, clean and do their own laundry as well   

Ah! The joys of adulthood! You will soon be having discussions about the merits of different sorts of detergents and the Gcse stresses will be a distant memory!

Good luck everyone! Have a little parcel ready to post. I loved doing this for my ds and he looked forward to the getting the silly postcards and comics. It gave me something to do that was positive.

Enjoy the journey. And hopefully in ten years time you will be one of the ballet.coers trying to help the next generation asking all the questions!

I once had a talented male Ballet student who was also football mad and was playing for a good local team.

 

It was my Dh who pointed out that thousands of young lads were at his level in terms of football but not many get a place to White Lodge! This lad, having reached an exceptional level in Ballet had more chance of reaching Upper School (which he did) than he would of just making the county football team.

 

I think it's harder physically to reach the level in Ballet required to become professional. But I am sure that the sheer numbers of lads playing football mean that the statistics of becoming professional are stacked against them.

 

Swanprincess does the audition usually get full??

 

Very.

Another wonderful week, Helen, thank you again. Really super teaching and dd got so much out of her classes. Absolutely loved watching today. :-)

Thank you for your kind words!  And I enjoyed watching day too, the students were all fabulous!

Lovely students (as ever) at Harpenden Summer Dance School this year.

 

Watching day tomorrow folks, please, if you have dcs involved come and see how hard they've worked!

 

Helen Brewer (co director of Harpenden Summer Dance School)

I had a mother who had the common sense to discuss with me why her daughter wanted to stop Ballet.

 

It turned out that her daughter was perturbed at new students joining the class and the fact that she had to show them what to do. As soon as I explained to the parent that the reason for asking her child to demonstrate was that she was one of the strongest and that I was ensuring that she was still on course for the exam she was satisfied.

 

And her daughter came back to Ballet with big smile! Sometimes us teachers don't realise how our young charges are reading the classes!

Oh dear.

 

Can I be frank? You can have no concern about any other child but your own. Just focus on your own DD. Don't compare; don't encourage her to compare. Just encourage her to do her best to become the best dancer she can be, not to beat another child, or compare herself against others.

 

If you think that the class/teacher is no longer helping your DD to become the best she can be, then THAT is the reason to look at other teachers and studios.

 

In my reading, your post suggests your wasting your precious time and energy thinking too much about the other girl in a way which sounds rather carping or envious. Focus on your daughter. She needs your focus, not your envy or dissatisfaction about another child. There's nothing you can do about the teacher's policy and treatment of other children.

 

I say this so bluntly because I've seen the effects of parents whispering and comparing their young children. It is horrible for the children, and a waste of everyone's energy. Believe me, it's really horrible for the children concerned. I'd bet that the other child knows you and other mothers are talking about her. (Been there, done that, go the tshirt).

 

Talent, success, and learning are not a zero sum game: one child doing well doesn't take away from another child. They will all learn more and better if they learn together and co-operatively. Studios where there's jealousy and competition are often not very happy or productive places to learn.

 

I hope you find a good solution for your DD. It sounds as though there are other reasons for dissatisfaction, but please, make sure the reasons are to do with your DD's learning, not about the teacher's professional decisions about another child. Apologies for being blunt, but I really mean well.

I so agree with this. I also agree that talking to the teacher is important but be careful to focus on your daughters current progress and plan of action for the future. You may well get the impression that your daughter is right to be concerned and it may be a good idea to see if another teacher suits her better.But try and do things by the book 're giving notice and staying on the right side in case you decide to go back.

 

Personally as a teacher I get very depressed when I hear of teachers only entering students who are certain to get high merits or distinctions. I have students who work their socks off just to get a good pass and I don't see why they shouldn't have the opportunity to do exams too. But I wouldn't hold a class back if the majority were exam ready.

 

From a business point of view, some of my classes would have had to close had I not accepted late starters or amalgamated some. One or two parents were concerned but have since been mollified because I still made sure their children did their exam when it was due.

 

Good luck!

 

Edited to add that reading through your latest post it does seem that the teacher has lost sight of trying to make sure all the students are getting the best they can from the classes in the attempt to keep one difficult customer happy.