Petit Jete

Most of the NBS students are in Medlock House which is just around the corner from The Dancehouse. They are all usually put together in the same block. No NBS student has to share a flat with a Uni student. Medlock House is a bit tatty around the edges but a very safe place to be. There is of course a bit of noise from the rowdy Uni students but they all seem to just get on with it!! My daughter went at 16 and absolutely loved her time both at NBS and at Medlock House. She has never been out of work either since leaving in 2012. Happy to answer any questions if any one wants to send me a PM.

Is it just the certificate you have asked her to post balletmummy or her report too?

I would certainly expect any pupil of mine, regardless of whether they have left or not, to come in to collect their report in person. After so much hard work from pupil and teacher, marks need to be explained to the pupil and discussed with the parent if so wished.

I would happily forward on any certificate but would expect to hand over any report 'in person'.

I put forward 4 students for the JA audition in London and unfortunately all 4 were nos - not that I was overly surprised due to the number of students auditioning in London. All students loved the audition and would like to audition again next year. One of the parents has asked me today to see if I can get some feedback from RBS as to why her DD wasn't successful. I've told her that they will not give feedback however, is this correct?

No it isn't. They are happy to give any teacher feedback so give them a ring.

That's really good to hear. As a non-dance person, I do sometimes wonder whether our accidental stumbling on an ISTD for everything school (albeit a very good one) has been a disadvantage to DD compared with a RAD training in ballet.

Absolutely not ParentTaxi and it makes a huge difference in an audition situation to be so used to picking up enchainment's quickly. You sound to be at a very good school so stick with it!! 

Primark do! In the ladies underwear section, three pairs for £5!!

ISTD has unset work as part of the exam from Grade 1 onwards, based on the steps for that grade and any below - so if you happen to have an ISTD-taking school locally, then classes there might very largely consist of work set by the teacher.

 

If I happen to listen through the door to DD's Intermediate or Adv 1 ballet classes, for example, they might practise 1 or 2 of the set exercises then do a wide variety of unset enchainements, then finish with another couple of the set exercises. The steps might not be exactly identical to the RAD syllabus, but the process of being given a string of steps followed by having to dance it would at least give an opportunity to practice?

That is why I love ISTD.

There is so much more 'free' work. Even from Grade One children are expected to pick up steps that are joined together on the day by the Examiner. By the time they reach Intermediate level all free work becomes second nature and your pupils are SO quick to pick up enchainments  It really is a bonus....especially in any audition situation  

I wouldn't expect the teacher to use a phrase like that in any class as its unprofessional, but I'd definitely expect kids of secondary school age to say things a lot worse than just "crap".

 

Good luck with your search for a better class Happymum! x

Really? Well if my 'older' girls came out with anything worse then they would be asked to leave. Can't be doing with any of it.....and they know it too  

Age 8-12 is a bit young for that type of phrase now I've looked back at your op

 

I would expect it maybe in an age 12-15 group.

Would you?? Must be time for me to retire then because the day I had resort to talking to anyone like this, let alone a pupil, is the day it is time to give up!

Hope your son has more luck at a more suitable school Happymum.

Congratulations Dizzyballetmum xx

Has anyone had any yes's for Manchester Yr 7 White Lodge or Mids yet?

Hi disconkfish ... Still awaiting a result for DD year seven Manchester here xxx

A yes today for my pupil,  Manchester Yr 7 White Lodge  It was worth the wait!!  Hope you have good news too discomonkfish & Dizzyballetmum.

Come on Manchester!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Grade 6 ISTD Modern is a challenging but lovely grade that should not be missed out. It is far more 'up to date' than Intermediate and if your daughter only started Modern a while ago Grade 6 would be very beneficial to her and stand her in good stead for the challenges of the new Adv 1 Modern. 

Janet, all I know is that this production had me captivated throughout and that I wished I had had a better seat! 

Yes isn't it interesting how views vary? I have been to the Royal Opera House many times before to see many ballets, but this production of MSND, despite me not being able to see the whole of the stage, left such a magical lasting impression on me! I loved it. However, I am only a lowly ballet teacher looking for artistry, technique and a special magical quality that this company, on this occasion, certainly had for me. Wonderful. 

Wasn't the 'show' amazing? 14 different pieces shown in total, don't know how they did it in just 4 days but it really was wonderful. Well done to everyone involved.

The contemporary teacher at Yorkshire Assemble is Douglas Thorpe, he is one of the contemporary teachers at Northern Ballet Associates/Yorkshire Young Dancers in Leeds...he is great!

Hello, I was just wondering what people's opinions are for northern ballet school in Manchester. Thank you

In a word......fantastic, but depends on what you are hoping for/expecting after 3 years? Can't really comment on the classical course regarding jobs, but the Jazz focus course is absolutely up there with the very best and the employment record is second to none. 

Photos can be viewed at www.portfoliostudios.co.uk    there doesn't seem to be a password! 

Shannon & Peter Parker's Summer School sounds great and wonderful teachers going too. 

http://www.opesballet.co.uk/

Just as a matter of interest, all of the All England Dance competition results go on to state the school's that the winners are from.

As a spectator at these competitions, it is always interesting to know just where the finalist's are trained. Indeed as we saw last Sunday, the technique of the winner and the choreography of the winning solo were pretty much in a class of their own, so much so that any parent or teacher watching the competition and considering future training would obviously like to know where those inspiring & original teachers/choreographers are based!

PS I have no affiliation whatsoever with the winner or any vocational school!

Sorry above is mean't to read Lucinda Strachen and more!

Good morning.

No,all the entrants danced their solos. There were 47 names in the programme although one or two didn't dance. Other finalists were, Rhys Yeomans, Drew Jackson, Lucy Renouf, Joseph ?????, Lucinda Strachen more! Sorry I don't have the programme any more, maybe someone one else could correct me?

Winner was Isabella Swietlicki from Ballet West, absolutely outstanding.

Regional Youth Ballet is run by Angela Evington, also formally Cheshire Youth Ballet as well as the above.

Leeds JA letters are out folks!! Good luck everyone.