Sandsfoot

Congratulations - my daughter also had a good time and the show at the end was amazing.

You can do the associate scheme - (the classes are 9 times a year) if you are not studying the ISTD Cecchetti syllabus but not the scholars.

I download from iTunes and found an app called audio cutter to cut the music. I have also used dancefestivalmusic before.

At the last one she did juniors was 9-11 and seniors 12-16 but you could email her jleeproductions1@gmail.com just to check. So anondancer might be a bit old but no harm in asking. A lot probably depends on your standard as well. At the last one they did some pas de deux as well.

Choreographer Jenna Lee who was a soloist with the English National Ballet, (she also choreographed the LCB this year and was a mentor on the BBC young dancer competition - so also has experience of teaching) is running some summer intensives in London on July 12th and Aug 1st and 2nd. She is a lovely teacher and she has some other excellent teachers lined up including some contemporary. I don't think we are going to be able to go sadly this time as we are away but DD has attended a workshop with her in the past and enjoyed it. This is the link to book it (hopefully) https://v1.bookwhen.com/jlpworkshops She also has them on 1st and 2nd August . They are in Kensington London She also has a Facebook page with some more info https://www.facebook.com/balletevents?fref=ts

My DD has done this in the past - such a great opportunity to be up close and personal with some amazing dancers and I felt that she did learn something and she got some personal attention. Also got to watch which was incredible. Will definitely do again if the opportunity arises.

The same situation exists at our school where the class sticks together despite the wide variations in ability. I think that this has it advantages that the training is consistent and progresses logically and they stay with their friends but like has been mentioned before can lead to frustration. Doing festivals or dance shows has allowed a bit more freedom and ability to develop technique, my DD also asked if she could attend the grade above as well. My DD has not been successful getting into many associate programmes however she has enjoyed holiday courses especially as they often allowed her to try things outside the syllabus. There are plenty of opportunities in London if that is not too far for you. Clearly your daughter has great potential, but I would agree with others there is no hurry at her age and that a good foundation developing good technique, strength and flexibility is just as important as what grade she is, and would probably have no bearing on whether she is successful getting into vocational school, (if that is what she wants) You can never do too many plies in my opinion.

Me too !

What amazing news for you, I am so pleased and wish you the best of luck.

I can't believe someone would be so rude - even if you thought it - keep it to yourself! I think the fact that your DD has been accepted by a vocational school speaks for itself and I would just forget about it. It is clearly her problem and not yours. I do feel however that many children I have seen at festivals who win and dance well show great technical ability as well as artistry. I have seen the journey of several dancing children through our local festival who then progress to be professional dancers. For those who are not lucky enough to be accepted at vocational school (because they might not fit the strict physical criteria) it is a great way to gain experience in what is essentially a performance art. I have heard this expression "festival children" and I think it is unfair and seems to demean their achievement which is often gained through hard work and determination. I also think that if you look at the All England winners you will see many who have also gained places at vocational schools as well and are very talented.

Gosh that is terrible - I am sorry that this happened to you but hopefully it does not reflect the majority of dancers and their parents. What have people to gain from being like this, I just don't understand.

Lisa I have also sent you a PM

We were also at the West of England Festival. My DD really enjoyed it and although she did not get through to the finals we weren't really expecting to and she danced the best I have seen her. I actually found the other parents to be really nice and had some lovely conversations which was good as we were on on our own. My DD also really loved being backstage with the other children who she said were all really nice and supportive - she was also in C section. I thought the organisation was good and I saw some amazing dancers and group dances and this seems to have inspired my daughter, she is now practising her "tricks" and wants to do more festivals (aargh) The standard seemed to be high in my DD class with more than the first 3 getting honours and I felt that those who won were rightly deserving of the accolade. My other daughter was pretty good at picking the winners. I did not watch many of the other sections as we were there as a family so unfair on my other DD who was not competing but I did see a dance done by the most delightful little trio of girls who could only have been about 4 or 5 and it was amazing, so cute and they were perfectly together, how do they get them to practice? It was a joy to watch and got a cheer from the audience (and I don't think it was just from their own parents). Like you Dancing Days I tried to make a point of congratulating other dancers personally if I have really enjoyed it. Congratulations to your DD's for getting through to finals - I always think that if you enjoy the opportunity to dance, it is essentially a subjective competition and you should just relish the experience of being able to perform on stage in front of an audience as this can only be helpful to your future whether it is on the stage or doing a presentation at work. It is about trying to be the best that you can be. Waitingmum - I suspect that it was just a few people and you were a bit unlucky, I hope that you go to the finals. One moan though, I do find people on their mobile phones when in the auditorium with the bright light shining out a bit annoying though. Switch it off!

Wonderful news - sounds really exciting and I am really pleased for you.

I thought they were all amazing and really raised their game from the earlier finals. What an inspirational group of young dancers. Shame they fluffed the presentation and I would like to have heard a bit more about why they chose Connor, he is incredibly talented and still developing, it will be very exciting to see how he progresses over the next few years.

Yes, my daughter watches these and finds them useful, she only practices what she has learned in class though

I went to the Southampton show last week, it was my first experience of Northern Ballet. I really enjoyed the choreography and the fact that the men can show off their dancing skills rather than just be a partner to show off the ballerina. The story telling from the dancers was really top notch and I found it easy to follow, (after reading the synopsis) - although my friend got a bit lost at times. Everyone danced beautifully and I particularly enjoyed Pippa Moore as Isabella Linton (very emotional) and Matthew Koon as her brother, a young dancer with a lovely line. I also thought Rachel Gillespie as the young Cathy very charming and well suited to the role. Everyone else was brilliant too but they are the ones that stood out for me. The staging is very effective and the cast coped well with the all the props, the timing with the teacups etc was incredible and amusing, again a testament to their skills as actors. I did love the maids, there were a nice touch of comedy in the ballet. My only slight complaint was the fact that young Cathy and older Cathy had different coloured hair and young Heathcliffe was a tall compared to older Heathcliffe but I appreciate that ballet dancers are chosen on their ability to dance and that in a small company it is not always possible to get total realism in terms of physical likeness- after all there are often racial differences between dancers who are supposed to be related in many theatrical productions and I don't have any problem with that. Highly recommended and a real treat for a Thursday afternoon, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I have recommended this to my Mum who lives near Sheffield.

Dear Regattah, So sorry to hear this news, I hope they can find a reason for her illness. So frustrating for you that they can't sort the machine out. I can only begin to imagine what a stressful time this must be for your family and I send you my best wishes.

I agree, I was in a running group once and there was a man with such bad arthritis of his knee that it looked deformed. He told me he was advised not to run but ignored it and continued to enjoy his hobby for many years with all the health benefits that that entailed. Wear and tear arthritis is certainly more likely if you have injured a joint but it also depends on other factors such as genetics. Rest and appropriate support and rehabilitation could also be just as important, hopefully you should be able to discuss your concerns with your doctor so you and your dd can make an informed decision and weigh up the risks and benefits. I wish you the best of luck.

They have posted the West of England on Facebook, doesn't say how many in each class and there are some Part 1 and Part 2. I presume they split the ages but it doesn't say and I am not sure when you find out. Someone has asked the question so hopefully we will find out soon.

It is such a difficult time for them at this age with all the changes in their bodies, it can be very hard to accept them especially when they develop at different rates. I am sure with you help and support she will get through it. Best of luck

Anyone can audition and I know of someone who did get in who wasn't an associate, I do think however that they do mainly take from their associates which is understandable as they have already selected them as having potential. The associates have to audition like everyone else but again they do have some preparation for this and also they have been observing them in the classes.

Yes I would agree for my dd as well, lovely to hear all the inspiring stories though.

So sorry to read this, what a difficulty time for your family, I hope she continues to recover.

We had a no for the Bath audition as expected. Congratulations to those of you with a yes, very exciting.