Pas de Quatre

This is why I find it weird. If there were a total embargo on revealing results that would be understandable (as discussed above). However many posts by the schools reveal who is dancing in so the BBC might as well publish a comprehensive list.

I don't think you can generalise about possibilities of auditions whilst you are under contract,there are too many variables. Overall, I think the dance world is getting more like the acting world, contracts are for specific productions or projects of variable length. There are only a few full time "repertory" companies.

Another cost to think about is post-graduate training. Just as in the non dance world, fewer graduates go straight into paid employment, many have to continue with unpaid internships etc. or pay for a course. Last year, for example, Northern ballet took dancers into the company from Norther Ballet Academy's post-graduate training year. Some of these dancers had previously graduated from ENBS but they still had to do another year's training.

Could this be a factor in the current fashion for bare legs with pointe shoes? Look - my instep is all my own!!!

http://pointeperfect.com/learn-your-foot-type-pointe-fitting/#prettyPhoto This is an article that gives great insight into pointe shoe fitting.

In the past ENB, Elmhurst, Central and Tring have entered candidates, some were accepted and some not. So unless anyone has first hand knowledge, you can't be sure whether schools applied, or just didn't get any candidates accepted. Good luck to this year's candidates!

No, but that is the way it works. As both ROH and BBC are mainly funded by taxpayers, you would think they should have some sort of special relationship, but they don't seem to.

Because like sports fixtures, coverage is sold to the highest bidder.

IN those days, when these young dancers of 14 & 15 became professional dancers, the school leaving age was 14, so most 14 year olds left school for full time employment. However as these dancers were so young, they still needed chaperones and many mothers accompanied their daughters. This is where the "dance mothers" originated!

No, it is not impro, it is unset enchainments. The examiner reads out a sequence of steps and the candidate has to put it together correctly. Usually they mark through a few times, mark to the music and then dance in full.

DD has very thick curly hair and usually has it halfway down her back. She finds it goes up into a bun easily, but for normal classes uses thicker "sleep" nets rather than fine ones. However, it wouldn't go easily into a French roll, even when straightened. So perhaps this is the problem - by its very nature a French roll is not symmetrical. Perhaps there is too much hair on one side which makes your DD hold her head oddly to compensate, tutucute.

Yes it is strange! Any other competition publishes the results quite quickly of who has got into the next round. It would seem the schools have been sworn to silence too.

Did you have a post-show Q & A session? It was very interesting to hear Mark Bruce talk about his inspiration and vision for the piece. Jonathan Goddard, and some of the other cast members came out too. Almost as a paradox, they came across as nice and down to earth, although of course they are exceptionally talented people. I would second everything Sim says about Dracula above. My previous experience of Mark Bruce's work was "Made in Heaven" the last work he did in UK before Dracula. It was very different and quite surreal. Both DH and I loved it and just talking about it brings a broad grin to our faces! Edited to add last paragraph

If at all possible try to get some extra coaching and go ahead with the exam this December to get it done. The new syllabus is so radically different it will take a long time to learn and prepare for the exam. Good Luck to all those taking it this session.

Isn't there a list anywhere of those who were successful, like they do for Prix de Lausanne?

One thing I have learnt over the years is that everyone's feet are different. Just as our faces are all made up of the same components, eyes, nose, mouth etc. but we are still totally individual. It is great that there are so many different brands, models and fittings available. Finding the perfect shoe is like the quest for the Holy Grail! No one brand will suit everyone and I am surprised that some vocational schools still insist on the same shoes at mass fittings!

What a lovely story! I find before class that there is also a problem. Many of my older girls come by bus direct to ballet from school, and never wear warm enough clothes. So they arrive chilled to the bone and warming them up enough to even start barre can be really difficult - lots of marching and jogging seems to be the best way!

A constant battle with my students too!

Saw it last week in Poole - brilliant. I managed to see it on the first tour last year and it is even tighter and more sharply honed now. Enjoy!

The reason they ask for socks is probably so that the children can easily take them off to enable the panel to asses their bare feet. With older children who would be in tights, Associate schemes often ask for "transition tights" which have a hole under the sole of the foot to allow the tights to be rolled up round the ankle, again to show bare feet.

Wells entries close today 6pm - so hurry if you are interested!

Not very original - that quote re taller girls comes from Morcambe & Wise, and possibly is even older!

I was reading an article recently about networking at Prix de Lausanne for those who attend, but don't make it through to the final. (Sorry I can't remember where it was published). On a very positive note, it said that it is not just the finalists who get seen by school directors and company Artistic Directors. During the week they look at everyone, and many non-finalist dancers were offered opportunies to further their training/career. So best of luck to your DS, just by attending he is marked out as a special talent. However, we will all be cheering him on and hoping he gets a prize!

Unless you are waiting for a funding audition you only have a relatively short time to accept an offered place and pay the deposit. I'm afraid you can't wait until you have done all your auditions before deciding.

Congratulations CeliB. Usually they list candidates own nationality, the school and the country it is in. Having said that, there are some candidates whose nationality is shown as being different to the country of location of the school. Edited to add last sentence.