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taxi4ballet

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  1. taxi4ballet
    You can use calamine lotion on them, it disguises the dirty bits and takes the shine off new-looking shoes as well.
  2. taxi4ballet
    That's pretty much where the camera was sited - in between the pit and the first row of seats, and very low down. We were in the Amphi and could see the camera from where we were sitting, and I think they did raise it up a bit. The cygnets were spot on and got a great cheer - my daughter's comment was "Well, that was crisp!".
  3. taxi4ballet
    We will be at the RoH this evening, so if you hear someone weeping at the end, that will be me!
  4. taxi4ballet
    I'd say that in many cases, the cause and effect are the exact opposite way round.
  5. taxi4ballet
    Another vote for Silky here.
  6. taxi4ballet
    Classical musicians in an orchestra don't generally compose or perform their own pieces, and they certainly don't make it up as they go along. The whole point of their career is that they perform the works of classical composers to the highest standard. That is what they spent decades training for, and it's what they are paid to do. Same goes for classically trained ballet dancers.
  7. taxi4ballet
    The entire thing seems to be structured in such a way as to disadvantage ballet dancers. Most classical dances are based around repertoire and known variations, whereas other styles actively encourage the dancers' own choreography, individuality and expression - they are expected to devise their own work all the time as far as I can see. Classical ballet really isn't like that, it's much more structured, and few dancers in vocational training spend much time choreographing their own work. They are too busy learning classical variations. To be honest, I don't know why they don't just call the programme 'BBC young contemporary dancer of the year'.
  8. taxi4ballet
    I can't help wondering whether it might have reverse effect and introduce a lot more kids to ballet who would never thought of doing it before. They might well then ask their parents if they can start going to ballet classes. If all the boys in primary schools take part, it might also start to dispel the prevalent notion that 'ballet is just for girls'.
  9. taxi4ballet
    Courtesy of a junction onto the M1 today, I saw this sign at the side of the road and to be honest, they needn't have bothered with it at all. Sign Not In Use
  10. taxi4ballet
    Oh yes, someone might tell you anyway, but after the shoes are worn for class, they need to be taken out of the bag and hung up to dry overnight. That way they last a lot longer.
  11. taxi4ballet
    Don't sew the ribbons on or do anything to them until her teacher has seen them and is happy with how they fit.
  12. taxi4ballet
    Train prices are ludicrous. It is cheaper to fly.
  13. taxi4ballet
    I think Lemongirl's dd is further on than that and might do better in the general/intermediate classes. Most of the dance teachers have biographies, and they are very useful in deciding whether a class might be suitable. Don't know about Pineapple, but my dd used to do adult classes at Danceworks while she was under 16. They may have changed regs now though.
  14. taxi4ballet
    Perhaps look at the regular classes at Danceworks or Pineapple in central London. They are are at a variety of different levels and there's bound to be something she likes.
  15. taxi4ballet
    It's a long time since I darned pointe shoes, but I do seem to remember using a flat-bladed screwdriver or the end of a teaspoon, scraping it back and forth over the satin (for ages and ages) until it worked loose enough to darn. What a palaver. Some shoes are far worse than others, even of the same make - I think it must be down to the over-enthusiastic application of glue by some makers!
  16. taxi4ballet
    My dd wore Russian Pointe shoes, which suited her high arch and instep, but I don't suppose they will be all that easy to get hold of at the moment. She switched to those from Bloch Serenade Strong, and I think she once tried some Grishkos 2007 pro but couldn't get on with them because the vamp was too long, maybe.
  17. taxi4ballet
    That could be because it was MT rather than a dance course, and some of the attendees were more into the singing side etc and were less experienced dance-wise?
  18. taxi4ballet
    They did trips to see west end shows during their Christmas residentials. I don't remember them doing the same at Easter, so maybe they do that now. The teaching was always a very high standard.
  19. taxi4ballet
    My dd did the Tring easter residential several times a few years back and always really enjoyed it.
  20. taxi4ballet
    It all depends on how those years were funded though. If they had a student loan, then that's that - they can't get another one.
  21. taxi4ballet
    From remembering what they said when my dd was auditioning, they ask for the grade passed or currently being studied, or an indication of the equivalent if no syllabus is being studied. Which of course is very common anyway for international applicants. I believe that most (if not all) people who apply for an audition will get one, and naturally during the audition they are looking at the dancer and not pieces of paper (as a very wise dance teacher once said to me!). They may well only go through the applications in greater detail when they are deciding who to recall for finals, but who knows?
  22. taxi4ballet
    It is not unknown for students at one or two establishments to - (how can I put this?) - er... 'disappear' at the end of 2nd year. Their 3rd year places are miraculously filled by other dancers, already fully trained elsewhere and practically company-ready, who arrive for a final polish and the name of the school on their cv. Not that I'm a cynic or anything.
  23. taxi4ballet
    I think whether the dancer thinks that the result is fair or not has a big impact on how they feel about it. My dd did a fair few auditions, and at one place she had two, a year apart, and got a no from both. After the first one she came out really indignant and said that she felt the panel barely glanced at her and was watching other people all the time. She was particularly annoyed that they were looking elsewhere when she felt she did very well at some of the exercises. On the second occasion, she came out saying that she'd been aware that they watched her a lot and paid close attention. She could also tell that the panel was talking about her between themselves. When she got a 'no' that time, she said at least it was fair and she'd given it her best shot. And yes, it was RBS!
  24. taxi4ballet
    I agree - there's Equity for the acting profession and the Musicians Union - dancers need one too really, don't they?
  25. taxi4ballet
    Can you imagine the Musicians' Union standing for this? Orchestras bumping up their numbers, not by employing professionals, but by offering a trainee programme where people pay for the privilege of performing with the orchestra? Not likely.
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