Moomin

Ok thanks, I'll email!

Do you have any suggestions for exercises to help feel which muscles should be used for turnout and help strengthen them? Thank you!

I'm not sure if it's so much out of fashion as quite difficult to do. Whereas you used to find colleges who did a levels they are pretty much 6th form based now due to the changes in the system. And it is much harder trying to study when you're older. Which is not to say impossible but the reality is that it is much harder for many reasons and it may be worth pushing yourself to do both if at all possible

ENB corsaire is wonderful, perfect for a newbie as it's not too long and is fairly fast moving.

I agree! What's the difference between junior ballet, elite and associate?

Depends on the class size and the amount of time wasted though doesn't it. 45 mins With 6 in the class is likely to be more effective than an hour with 25!

I find it a bit odd that the teacher has suggested a grade below tbh. I don't know how much of a step up there is between grade 2&3 though. What are the other schools offering? Are they all rad schools? Have you watched a class? Personally I'd look for a school which offers more than one class for each grade or an additional non syllabus class. The other children in her class would likely be quite keen and committed if they're doing multiple classes and that may suit her better? Also, although bigger schools have some advantages some also have much bigger classes meaning less attention from the teacher

How many classes does she do?

I don't really understand these things, all of the adverts have dancers with nice feet and I can't see how you could even get you foot inside if you had 'bad' feet.

Sometimes the repetition and hard work to really perfect may be a bit boring but imo a good teacher would not just be doing exactly the same syllabus exercises each week and will introduce other work/ music etc to keep the interest up. The lower grades are a bit boring, did the teacher give a reason why she can't go up or do a higher class in addition?

You mean you didn't get an autograph for me?!

I suppose it depends what the agreement is but for example if you went to your gp for a medical they would only be able to divulge the specific points on the medical and not anything else you had said unless it directly affected the results of the medical. If the physio was given permission to report on certain aspects of physique etc then for them to also report what other schools had given offers would be irrelevant and a blatant breach of confidentiality. i can see why a seed of doubt has been sown but I honestly doubt that this would have been fed back. Aren't you allowed to go on with your child for the assessment?

I'd be very surprised if a physio was able to divulge any information from a consultation apart from the examination that you've agreed to. I think it would be a breach of confidentiality, I expect it was just chat. Has your son tried meditation cds? At this stage practising isn't going to be helpful, maybe just try and keep him busy and try and deflect all attention from the audition. Personally I find it impossible not to get very nervous when it's something I really care about and the answer is just to not dwell on it too much!

I guess there's a fair amount from the younger age group so hopefully your daughter has a better chance. I'm sure it would be an amazing experience!

I had a look at the growth charts out of interest and for a just turned 11 year old you'd have to be on or under the 2nd centile, so 2 out of 100 girls. Given the popularity I expect there are a fair number who apply and meet the height criteria I guess. Good luck to your daughter mummy twinkle toes!

My 7 year old is over 130cm and I haven't seen any 10 year olds who aren't at least a couple cms taller than her. It is very, very petite! They don't look that tiny on the film but difficult to tell

I'm sure it can't be that strict as on the video the new Matildas were 10 and 11 years old and they couldn't be under 1.3m surely?

I think it also depends on style in freed but I went from wineglass to fish as being slightly less tapered so may be worth trying them. Although they are meant to be on the tapered side I still found them square compared to grishko etc so best thing is probably just to try them. Are you an unusual size as it seems odd that they would only have a couple of makers

I would agree best to go somewhere with a wide range of brands first time. If she then likes freed you can take her to the shop to refine the fit. although they have a wide range I do feel that the London shops have much less time for each fitting. Which is fine when you have some idea what you're looking for but first time I'd recommend somewhere where they will be able to spend an hour or two if necessary

I think it is quite difficult for dyslexic children at auditions, stress tends to make all the problems worse. He is very young and I think the most important thing is not to give up, the more auditions he does the easier it will be. I'm not sure whether you can ask for it to be considered, we have never gone down that route despite having an official diagnosis. It generally worries me a little that people have preconceived ideas and it may count against them (not speaking about ballet in particular)

There seems to be loads of you just on here but maybe it's just my perception! I'd just prepare her for a large number and then it will be a pleasant surprise if there's less! Very best of luck to all those auditioning x

Glad you're ok!

Is it turning 10 by end of August?

What a shame for you both but I'm glad that she has now recovered. Just to stress that it is vital that you take her to the gp who can do a basic neurological examination as those symptoms could be many other things too. Yes, it is most probably migraine but could be other things as well.

My nearest shop is an hours drive away, obviously not going to drive all that way just for small items! I do also mail order from them as their customer service is good (unlike some of the big retailers who I refuse to use now). The main advantage to online is the huge range of choice. The problem with some of the smaller retailers is that the haven't moved with the times and don't always provide what people want