Pas de Quatre

Actually I don't have a problem with this. Many stately homes do likewise.

I think Totty is right - the RAD sells products that we may choose to use or not, sometime they seem to act as if they are a franchise. To my mind they are one examination board among several, just like for GCSEs and A levels in ordinary schools. Each teacher/school can decide whether or not they wish to enter pupils for exams and if so which board they wish to use.

However, I do think teachers should always be very honest with parents about what they are doing and why.

Unfortunately the dates for Summer Intensives in USA often don't work for pupils from the UK as the summer holiday dates are so different. In US they often finish school about the same dates we have our May half term and then their holidays last about 3 months. So rather than thinking of it like a UK summer school, the SI often last 4 - 6 weeks and you have to think of ithem as half a term of Vocational training.

It may be that is why some UK schools don't want pupils to go, they would miss too many important events towards the end of the UK summer term.

It's not that the Insight Days are for non Vocational dancers, it is that they are for those not already full time at a Vocational school. So it does include Associates many of whom hope to enter full time training at Vocational school at some point. It may be a question of semantics, but I don't think you can call them non vocational - that sounds more like recreational.

That's brilliant news - good luck to Tala.

Ballet news has another behind the scenes account

http://balletnews.co...C (Ballet NEWS)

 

I see it was Wheeldon who choreographed the "ballet" - not impressed. I agree with Janet that BRB's Faster would have been brilliant in this situation it would have been perfect for the occasion!

As for the music where was Spandau Ballet with GOLD or Duran Duran with RIO?!

As the next venue is Brazil I was definitely expecting RIO!

But in general so much music was missing, OK we had a little Elgar in the opening ceremony, but what about Gilbert and Sullivan, Noel Coward, Andrew Lloyd Webber?

As a teacher I accompanied my DD to one several years ago - we both enjoyed it very much. Only distance and other commitments prevented her doing more sessions.

Did anyone see the closing ceremony of the Winter Games in Canada two years ago? The games go to Russia next and the Russian ballet section at the hand-over was absolutely amazing, ours was embarrassing in comparison.

That sounds a brilliant project, were you paid or did you donate your services? I know ballet classes can appear expensive, but teachers do need to earn a living too and most have high expenses with hire of hall, insurance, membership fees for RAD/ISTD, as well as purchase of syllabus material, courses etc.

h.dancer, I think you have been misinformed. The new RAD Advanced 1 syllabus isn't due out until August 2013 and will not be examined until January 2015. The current syllabus has been around for many years, so I presume that is the one you want. I am sure the RAD shop will still stock it.

I have had pupils, and friends of pupils, at London Senior Ballet. The teachers are excellent and it would be worth all your hours of travelling if you were accepted. Long train journeys are a good opportunity to do homework! They are one of the few Associate schemes that continue after 16, they go on to 18 i.e. A-level year, so it would give you more time to catch up.

Oops - rushing starting thinking of R & J not Don Q!

ENB presented Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet as part of their 60th Anniversay celebrations in 2010. It was in Southampton 20 - 23 October 2010.

It is not necessary to have passed any exams to be considered for Vocational training and/or professional employment. We seem particularly fixated with them in this country, but many schools who are not exam based have just as much success with their students..

http://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk/dance-science/products-services/screening-packages/fundamental-screening-package

I thought this might be of interest to anyone considering Vocational training.

Slightly off topic, but taking empty bottles through security and filling them afterwards also works at airports.

Goldsmith's and Laban use McMillan Student Village at Creekside, but McMillan also have other locations. Students' leases ended at the beginning of July so that they can rent out for summer schools. It might be worth checking availability.

Have added a link to a youtube video of her in Bejart's Squeaky Door - absolutely amazing!

http://www.danceagain.org/

This is a link to the foundation set up by Jack Widdowson's family, Jack made an amazing recovery from his injuries. It says they have a network of doctors and physios for dancers. Perhaps they can help.

For several years Tina Marsh has run her workshop weeks in the summer, this year it is "Fille Mal Gardee from Scratch" 23rd - 28th July (dancers age 8 - 21). This year she is also offering "The Professional Experience Advanced Ballet Workshop" 30th July - 3rd August for dancers Intermediate and above. Each week costs £120.

I have no connection to Tina, just that several of my pupils have done her "Scratch" courses over the years and I think they are excellent, and numbers are always good. However, numbers for the Professional Experience are just on the cusp of enough people to make it viable. If anyone in the southern area is looking for a summer school this might be just the thing, Tina has a BA Hons in Dance, and was a professional dancer with Ballet Cymru for several years. She needs to make a decision this weekend on whether the Professional course can go ahead. Just a few more dancers are needed.

To find out more you can phone Tina on 07903 753167 or email tina.marsh@hotmail.co.uk

Mods - if this is inappropriate please remove.

Congratulations to all those graduating - please keep us up to date with their next steps!

Thanks for posting this - so sad to hear the news. I have lovely memories of Leo Kersley. He was great friends of my teacher, and when I was a student he used to invite our school to take part in his school's summer performances. Famous guest artists included John Gilpin, Marilyn Burr, Lucette Aldous and Wayne Sleep in his graduation year. We felt so proud to be in such illustrious company, but he made us feel very special too. He even arranged for small bouquets to be presented to us at our final curtain call, and I still have the silver foil holder, flattened out in my scrapbook.

And snorkel!

Julie - I love Cold Comfort Farm, just shows we are all different. Every time I prepare music for choreography I work hard at "the counting" and think of this novel!

Agree with MAB about the Bloomsbury set though!

As taking ballet exams is not so common in the rest of the world, and particularly in 6th form there are overseas candidates, I don't think the schools take much notice of them. For summer schools they can be a quick indicator to help in class placement.