hfbrew

This, however, is exactly the problem that the female dancer must learn to solve when dancing with a partner.

And believe me , a male partner will not be impressed with a partner who hasn't mastered this......

All i would say is,you can train to be an actor or singer later on in life,but dance training won`t wait.

You are so right. Steve Houghton who was a fabulous guest jazz teacher at Harpenden Summer Dance School this year gave a very enlightening talk about his extensive dancing and acting career. He fell into acting by accident when he was understudy in a musical but he stressed that good dance trainng from an early age was vitally important, afterall actors can not suddenly become dancers of a high professional level! Drama can be studied at any age but whilst its never too late to learn to dance you do have to have many years of training to reach the highest levels and be of a professional standard.

My DD has a dada for September and the way I have looked at it is this:

 

Though we're paying the boarding fees and the £1,250.00 a year as well, its only marginally more than we have paid out in the last year in associate courses, travelling and classes as well as travel to school and food at school. When I added this up I was shocked as to how much we had spent!! I've found its a much easier pill to swallow when I looked at it this way

Thats exactly how we approached things when my son first went away. When we first started investigated the costs, before ds auditioned, I well remember my dh saying we couldn't afford it! And I remember the penny dropping when I gently said that we were already spending a similar amount over the year. By the time we factored in all the costs of sending ds to our preferred secondary school plus associate lessons and music too it was cheaper to send him away!! And now I see many of my young students going off to University with all the costs that that entails whereas my ds has a job he loves and is no longer, in theory, costing us a penny...

 

edited to add the very best of wishes to those starting full time training next week. Work hard and have fun!

I agree with those who say that you miss them more as they get older and become such lovely young people. And I can identify with what Kathy G said about phoning as I remember only too well the one syllable answers! Also remember the response I got when I suggested a visit; "why? I'm busy!" And like KathyG I too didn't cry, it was all too exciting for words. And I got great pleasure from compiling jokey post- funny postcards, jelly babies and Dandy comics- the local post office got very used to me saying "first class please, nothing of value!"

 

Like JulieW I am a wee bit jealous of all you who are starting your journeys (hold on tight!) especially as you have ballet.co on your side! We didn't have nearly as much information 8 years ago and had to discover it for ourselves!

Do ask your syllabus teacher to start setting free enchainements too. The more difficult they are the better practise at them you will get. Then see if you can reverse them (this can be done in your head at home, or marking with hands.) You could even get fellow students to try and put together sequences, its amazing how many variations a class can come up with.

 

Try to feel the rhythm of movements too, if you can understand how the teacher is putting together the sequence musically that will help you give more "flow" to the enchainements being set. Do learn to think for yourself rather than following others, afterall if you are relying too much on copying you are not going be able to apply all your technique correctly!

 

I often give my students random lists of words or numbers and get them to repeat them back to me as a very simplistic way of demonstrating that by and large when they turn around at the barre the sequence remains the same! I agree with Anjuli thats its better to remember "front" "back or "inside leg, outside leg" etc. Having a good awareness of weight placement helps.

 

When learning longer sequences in the centre I also used to watch for focal points- for example if count 8 was 5th position croise with right foot in front I made sure that I would reach that point come what may! And do take care on finishing positions, be definate even if they are wrong as they is nothing worse than a dancer performingly beautifully only to finish half heartedly and shuffle off!

My dd and her friend (who are both starting at Elmhurst next week) are sitting in our dining room at this precise moment giggling their heads off and it strcuk me that that is what I will miss the most - the noise! The laughter, the giggling, the chatter about anything and everything - the house will be unbearably quiet without her. And, as another poster said, I will miss the friends we have made along the way at associates but especially our local dance school who have become more like a family to us both. It will be a terrible wrench made bearable only by her huge excitment at the adventure she is about to begin....

Rest assured you will make many new friends who will share all the highs and low with you. And its sounds as if your dd will be welcome any time at her old school. And no doubt her teacher will go and watch on teachers days, always exciting.

I've always really missed my ds when he has been away and remember anxiously looking at my phone every five minutes- his first text from White Lodge was "fine". Just that- not even a punctuation mark! His first phone call was to tell me about how his first lesson was "how to move the barres" and "the other boys are crying because they're homesick". I used to ring the houseparents to check he hadn't lost his phone!!

 

But what kept me going was that it was absolutely his choice to go and the conviction that he really would not have been happy at the awful comprehensive round our corner that was at the bottom of the National league tables. If anything we were so excited by his wonderful opportunity and thrilled at the wonderful pastoral care, not just from house staff but teachers too. DS did have problems coping at times but no different to those experienced by many young people in any walk of life and in fact probably had more expert care.

 

So how did I cope? Well I've a very busy 7 day working week and my ds used to have to follow me around most of it so being at boarding school instead, doing something he loved just made me happy. And being around like minded students was also great for him, especially being an only child! It also meant the times we were together were wonderful quality times.

 

He is finally leaving home next week but how can I be sad? He has reached his goal of being a professional Ballet dancer and isn't even leaving the UK!

 

So enjoy the journey everyone. Sometimes its horrible but its always exciting and whatever happens remember that you are doing the best you can as parents by letting your children go. Be warned they always come back he he.......

No worries- I will no doubt get to a few . Will probably arrange a school trip to Rickmansworth but take family and friends to the lovely theatre at Dunstable (1st December) as the larger stage there shouldl be able to accomodate the entire set. (If Sleeping Beauty is anything to go by then it will be impressive!)

 

I was disappointed about Worcester because thats where my mum and family are based! (they are not ones for travelling!)

Indeed you did!

Regarding feedback, my two daughters ( yr7 and yr10 entry) were lucky enough to get through to WL finals this yr. Although neither was successful, we were told by their associate teachers that feedback would be given to their dance teacher if she requested it. She wrote to Royal and my daughters were subsequently given verbal feedback as to their suitability. So it is possible in some circumstances. Northern Ballet Associates also encouraged auditionees to request feedback after the audition so they knew what areas needed working on.

I got feedback about my ds when I wrote to the RBS expressing concerns about him re auditioning after a year on the waiting list. It was such an achievement for him to have got that far , I was hesistant to let him try again in case he didn't get that far thus knocking his confidence. To my astonishment I got a phone call that not only gave me feedback but also exercises for him to improve his flexibility prior to his second attempt- these he did everyday. Then after his 2nd audition I got another phone call offering a weekly place as opposed to the fortnightly session I'd requested (due to financial reasons!) i still cringe when I remember how I gabbled on over the phone- I was so overcome.

But I must point out that it was known that I am a teacher and that is why I got feedback- I have since had feedback about other students in a similar position. It was actually explained to me that theu do prefer to talk to teachers because its they are more likely to understand the feedback. Likewise I was entrusted with the exercises because of my experience as a teacher.

I can't, as I will still be teaching then

Tout dates for Christmas Carol in the Autumn are now on the Ballet Theatre UK website!

Tour dates for Ballet Theatre UKs next production, Christmas Carol are now on their website. I for one am very disappointed that they are not going to Worcester this time but it does mean that different areas such as Dorchester now get a chance to see this super little company.www.ballettheatreuk.com

hfbrew, I think what you describe has been the case previously but all the signs are that all the year groups are being filled up for September with lots of new joiners. Whereas previously spaces were carried, every year will now be pretty much full and the class sizes in year 9/10/11 will be 14 or 15 each.

Are you talking girls or boys? Even in past years its not been unusual to have 14 or 15 students of either sex in any given year, especially if a couple are day students. However all of the 14 girls that were eventually in my sons year were boarders. Its a good sign if places are being filled, hopefully bodes well for the future of ballet in this country!

Come on folks! I think the fee is very reasonable, especiallly compared to the hundreds I pay out to various dance societys!

As far as I'm aware the average is still 12 boys, 12 girls boarding but ballet class sizes can vary if there are day students also attending. I believe also that sometimes extra room (boarding wise) can be made if a certain year for example isn't full- this would obviously free up space should a really promising student for any of the older years audition- the Royal will not turn real potential away if there is a place. But likewise they will not fill a place unless they are certain that the student will benefit from the training. A glance at the year groups in the end of year programmes shows quite clearly varying class sizes. In my sons year 11 there were 14 girls and 12 boys but the year 7 group that year had 13 girls and just 10 boys.

 

When I had my 2nd look around before accepting ds place I was told that the previous director would sometimes take as many as 30 students a year! Can you imagine how crowded the dorms were! But the new boarding blocks simply don't have that many beds.

 

Incidently, however large or small the year, be it 20 or 28, the students are still streamed academically which means smaller class sizes than most schools as far as education is concerned which is taken very seriously by the wonderful teaching staff there. Even though its now been 3 years they still ask after ds!

I am not surprised, the RBS really are not as wealthy as people think and millions were spent just to get a rather shabby building (I remember being so disappointed on my sons audition day!) up to date with the 21st century- I imagine that will take years to pay off.

 

Yes the fees are very expensive but class sizes are small and all the students are means tested, very few fall into the wealthy benefactor bracket! And consider the costs involved just to maintain a listed building never mind all the staff fees- not just ballet teachers but the administrators, excellent boarding staff, health professionals, academic staff etc etc

 

I personally can't see the harm in generating some extra income by hosting a few weddings ( what a lovely place to get married, especially if you are a dancer with links to the place!) Obviously I am sure it goes without saying that they would take care not to impact adversely on the running of the school and there is no need for such events to be held anywhere near the sprung floors!! The fact is that there are many weeks when the school is unoccupied and it surely make sense to utilise the facilities. And as for Queen Mary turning in her grave, well the Royals held many grand parties there, afterall White Lodge was built as a hunting lodge!

I ve had students just miss distinction because their average marks for free movement and character were not as high as their classical mark and vice versa.

And gives you just that little extra bit of freedom ! The 3rd years have to find their own accomodation anyway so it doesn't hurt to do it earlier rather than later. And Tring is a nice little town, I certainly felt better about my ds living there at 16 rather than London.

I also have had some students who do better at vocational grades. When looking at suitability of students for exam entry at this level, I don't look at the overall mark for their graded exams but just at the "classical" marks. If these marks are consistent with a good merit or distinction then I will consider them for vocational exam entry if they so wish. (and my if boss agrees!)

 

Generally though the standard required for the vocational examinations is very high and it is a shock to some students who are used to sailing through with high marks when these are not achieved at vocational level. But students should not be disheartened or think its going to reflect on their future one way or another. I know of students who have consistently got high marks because their teachers knew exactly what boxes to tick as far as the criteria were concerned but who will not make it as professionals. And I know people such as myself who managed to get every mark possible (including "unsuccessful"!) who became professional!

 

I do like students to take exams because I find that many work better if they have a goal to aspire to and if their performing opportunities are few then at least they can perform for an external examiner.But I try to stress that the journey to get there is what matters and if the student has really worked 100% then I am proud of them whatever the result which is afterall subjective on one particular day for one particular person. To be even considered good enough to take the exam in one of the large schools I teach at is achievement in itself!

I can't help wondering what view the RAD takes of schools who do presentation classes all the time and rarely (if ever) enter students for the graded exams.

 

Anyhow, my dilemma solved as dd says her friend has talked about giving up...

 

What a shame that your dd friend has talked about giving up! Could she not try a different school? Or maybe a local summer school (although possibly too late now) where she could meet students from lots of different schools and see if any would suit her better.Its a big, exciting world out there and it seems a shame that your dds friend's experience has been so limited in comparison.

 

I don't know whether the RAD really mind about the proportion of presentation classes to exams.At the end of the day its all income! But it does seem hard for tthe examiners to go to a place just to see presentation classes! It seems to me that the students might just as well do non syllabus classes and learn a lot more- rather than continuing to only learn the same exercises week in week out just for a piece of paper!

Sounds like your daughters are experiencing the joys and tribulations of a full time dancer! It is always a good idea to have 2 to 3 pairs of shoes on the go as it were.

 

Yes it is expensive but an essential tool in a female ballet dancers life. Ideally I recommend getting one pair "performance ready/exam ready" and when they are at that just right stage, put them away and start to break in a new pair. That way you know that there is a pair that will be perfect for performance. Even better if you have done this with another pair as well- maybe a slighter softer shoe will be needed for choreography that is less demanding whereas a piece that includes a lot of pointe work will need a stronger pair.

 

There is an entertaining piece about pointe shoes on Ballet Theatre UKs latest blog BTUKBlog which I think all students should read as it does give an insight into what we expect these shoes to do!! Hope the link works. If not, go through the website www.ballettheatreuk.com

We were posting at the same time, hfbrew. :-)

 

Incidentally, where you mention being at Adv. 1 standard for auditioning at vocational school, I'm guessing you mean Upper Schools!

He he yes I did!! Can you imagine 11 years old having to do advanced point work!!

Intermediate foundation is the earliest vocational grade but like advanced foundation is not compulsory- that is you can progress to the next level without doing the exam.

 

Schools vary but where I teach students tend to start the vocatioal grades at around grade 3/4 and continue studying the other grades as well (which go up to grade 8).

 

Vocational grades are; inter foundation, intermediate, advanced foundation, advanced 1, advanced 2, solo seal.

 

These exams are not necessary qualifications for getting into vocational schools but you should be about advanced 1 level at auditions for such places. Intermediate is the minimum standard required in order to start teaching qualifications which are pretty tough as they require extensive knowledge of not just correct classical technique but safe teaching practises as well- mere syllabus knowledge is a very small aspect!

aww, well done to your dd, Spanner! just found out that one of my friends passed her grade 6 with Distinction too- makes my Merit seem even more feeble x

Please don't thimk your Merit is feeble.it certainly isn't and you have done very well. It always concerns me when people post about their distinctions that it deflects from the achievements of those who also passed but didn't quite make that magic 75%. Its always lovely to get distinction I know (I think I told the whole world when DS got 86 for adv 1!) But these exams, especially in the higher grades are an achievement in themselves, whatever the mark, which afterall is a reflection of what happens on the day in front of a particular examiner.

 

The schools I teach for have an all inclusive policy (so we don't only enter a small number guaranteed to get high marks) which means very large sessions with a mix of all marks. It always upsets me if a child is upset with pass or merit, especially when they have done extremely well as individuals to reach that standard.

 

At the end of the day the whole experience of working for an exam (my ds says that hours of exam pracice stood him in good stead for hours of rehearsals for Sleeping Beauty!), performing for a stranger, reaching the required level- well this is achievement in itself.

 

So well done everyone on their results, whatever the mark.Incidently DS got 58 merit for grade 3 the year before White Lodge- one of the "lowest" that session. And he is a professional dancer now whereas all his apparently better peers from that session have long ago hung up their shoes!