Moomin

I'm pretty sure that my knees hyperextend when I'm on pointe though?

I suppose if you're at private school and have 8-9 weeks off its not so bad but I agree so expensive!

I still don't really understand what you're meant to do with them!

I agree my daughter took her primary exam at 5 years 4 months. Her teacher is fab with the little ones and makes it lots of fun but there is definitely technique being taught in a simple way. She started at 4 years old as well. I think the current syllabi are quite child friendly and a good teacher will incorporate lots of fun and not just concentrate on the set exercises.I'd say just find a good teacher who your daughter has a rapport with, drop her off on time each week and rely on the teacher for the rest! At least for a few years as children change so much who knows what she'll be like in a few years time!

I hope nobody took offence because I absolutely agree that recreational dancers can take their dancing very seriously. However, I would use the term 'serious dancer' to mean someone in or aspiring to make their career in dance. I understand these events to be an attempt at an outreach programme whch is great as for every dancer made, you need to make an awful lot more people who want to watch! The performance is a lovely opportunity for local children but tbh Birmingham already has many opportunities with a vocational school, multiple associate schemes, other performance opportunities nearby, it's own ballet company etc perhaps if they took some of their workshops to areas without this they may be better attended!

I didn't say they weren't serious

They also need to inspire the future audiences and recreational dancers of the future for the art form to continue. A lot of opportunities are rather monopolised by vocational/ associates students and most other dancers wouldn't stand a chance against them in an audition. I've personally seen students from RBS, Elmhurst & Tring performing with companies, I think it's a nice idea to provide something for the non vocational students and a good idea to get a wider appreciation for ballet. Not saying that they couldn't provide something for serious students too. Tbh the rehersals for the Cinderella one are on a weekday evening which would presumably exclude most vocational students and unfortunately also just about everyone not from Birmingham!

What is it about their physique that leads to them being assessed out? Presumably flexibility, turnout/ proportions etc don't change enormously so is it just height/ weight? If you looked at the individuals growth chart it is supposedly very unusual to deviate hugely

Cecchetti attitude arms???? The style and positioning for cecchetti is quite different but I agree it doesn't matter as people will have trained in all different methods so you will be fine, you won't be expected to cecchetti positions, and the basic steps are mainly the same.

Most grade 1s would only be doing one class a week so if you felt she needed private lessons on top perhaps trying a different teacher is a good idea. Trust your instinct!

Presumably you weren't 100% sure of the current teacher or you wouldn't be leaving! Feeling guilty isn't a reason to stay, looking at it from the current teachers perspective I can see why they would be a little upset as you are choosing the associates over their class but you've got to do what you feel is best for your daughter, it will soon be forgotten.

Interesting! Doesn't IF come after grade 6 in most syllabi (not RAD)?

How much would you pay for a solicitors letter though?!

Wow, I don't know anyone who charges that much around here! For a fit note it's usually £20-30 and £90 + for a full medical (where they would do lung function tests, full examination, pulse, possibly ecg etc). I wouldn't imagine that would be needed for a summer school

Have they supplied you with a form or list of requirements? The fee will depend on whether they want a full medical or just a note etc but will not be covered by the nhs. You would need to let your gp know in advance what the appointment is for as they shouldn't do it during an nhs consultation time. If it's very straight forward they may not even need to see her

I couldn't see anything about this one on the fb page but for the previous it says: Beginners- complete beginners and beginners Advanced- intermediate and advanced I suppose it depends who they get attending but the vast majority of adults are between beginner and true advanced (which I would think of as able to perform the advanced 1/2 syllabus to exam standard), more like early vocational grade level? So probably will be a mixture in each class depending on personality? ????

True bowed legs are caused by a curve in the bone so unlikely to change very much. However if you push back into swayback knees it often creates the same look of a gap between the legs. Maybe have a look when you've got her to stand with knees properly aligned?

If you passed the audition and then disclosed they would at least be under an obligation to base their decision on factual information that your disability would affect the job (and you have already proved that you are a good enough dancer) rather than prejudice. There are an awful lot of people in life who are very difficult to get on with who have no disabilities ????

Please can I have photos? Can you send them on here or shall I give you my email address? Definitely interested!

If someone is of a personality to be disruptive in an advanced class and not consider others around them surely they would be equally disruptive in a beginners class though? I don't personally generally have a problem with people being in a class that may not be their exact level. I think it's to be expected with adults to some extent because classes have to be fitted around so many other commitments. A 6pm class would be nigh on impossible for anyone working standard days or waiting for a partner to come home to take over childcare. I totally accept that if someone affects your own safety/ enjoyment that is a problem but if someone has less than perfect technique but clearly just loves coming to class they can bring something very positive to the whole group????

Well done TabbyCool! Fantastic result. Which examiner did you have? There's nothing like an exam coming up to push your technique along ????

Thanks for letting us know, will put that on the 'to do' list!

The coursework element of my degree was assessed practicals which were essentially mini exams under controlled conditions and there were a lot of written exams, far more than a level but there will be a lot of variation depending on what sort of subject interests her

She will be under a lot of pressure at the moment so maybe not the best time to make a decision? She did very well in her GCSEs, could you get her a tutor to help her? If she has health problems could she apply for any special conditions for the exams? Personally I didn't find the second year of a level much harder than the first year although if she doesn't understand basic concepts it's obviously going to be tough. I think she will find things easier with a levels but depends on how unhappy she is. Does she have an idea of what she eventually wants to do?

I would also be very wary, it's the equivalent of doorstep selling and cold calling imo???? how on earth have they obtained your address too?