Oldermum

freed studio.

Thanks everyone, I've darned pointe shoes for more years than I care to remember (I took my RAD pre-elementary and elementary back in the 70's and always did my own shoes). But I've never had a pair as hard to do as these. I've rubbed them in my hand, dd worn them round the house, I've even fed the needle under the satin and tried to move it around to loosen satin (something I've managed to do before on small areas) I always use a chain stitch and curved needle. The worst thing about this pair is - dd want to have a go herself. She'll just have to wear them a bit longer - we've still a full week to go. Her last pair I did in a hotel room one evening didn't take as long as it's taken me to go round one shoe just once.

Anyone any handy tips to loosen the satin on the toe of the pointe shoe. My dd has just got her new pointe shoes and I've never had any that I've found so tight that I'm struggling to get the needle in to darn. Thanks in advance.

Thanks Mimi'smom .just back from debenham's and they are 3 for 2 instore but only start at size 8 which fit my dd. after our purchase made a trip to the local fabric shop bought decent lyrca and now I've a new project for the weekend 1/2 metre and I reckon I be able to make at least 8 pairs.

If you are southbound come off M6 at junction 8 onto M5 come off at junction 2 (Oldbury) follow A4123 at the junction with A456 onto Hagley Road towards Edgbaston Turn right onto Norfolk Road then follow signs for BMI hospital and The Priory Hospital. (At the end on Somerset road if you turn right towards university instead of left towards The Priory you come out onto Bristol Road on turn right onto Bristol Roaddrive past King Edward School and Elmhurst is just down the road on the right through one set of traffic lights (keep on the inside lane). I regulary use this route and it is about the same as going to m6 junction 6 and through the tunnels in Birmingham. Hope everyone has a safe journey and all DC enjoy your week.

Well done to the Young Dancer of the Year & the runner-up (and the other finalist from the same school as runner-up) and Junior Ballet winner all who come from the north and all at different schools there is definitely northern talent. Well done to all of them and their excellent dance schools, I've watched all these three growing up and it's always a pleasure to watch them dance at festivals - all names for the future.

MY dd sharing with a girl she met as a ja in yr 5. my dd moved centres for yr 6 so haven't seen each other for 2 years. Her text last night said she's made lots of very nice friends. We met a few girls that had stayed on for a second week all had had a great time and said it had passed very quick. My dd couldn't wait to start classes today. Pity I can't get Friday off work so dh picking her up

any 12 year olds going to 2nd week my dd will be there.

Thank you Nana Lily for a lovely review. I'm also a very proud parent who thoroughly enjoyed the whole show. And Mimi's mom we noticed the one-shoed dying swans, it was one of the many talking points on the train home together with the stunning tutus. I can't wait until Friday just sorry I can't get back down to watch the Upper school this week. The whole school performed like they belong to be out there on stage for audiences to watch for years to come.

ISTD Ballet Awards, Children compete in the Grade which they have just passed so your DD would compete in Grade 1. Prior to the competition the teachers are informed which exercises the children will be required to dance and which class dance. The children dance on stage in a class format with a very friendly teacher guiding them through the class, if there are a lot of entrants then there can be 2 or even 3 groups with around 20 in each group. After all the groups have finished there is a short break before all the children are brought back onto the stage when up 10 per group are invited to re-dance in the finals after which prizes are award. It is a very enjoyable day and unlike festivals all the children are doing the same. Grades 1 and 2 usually take place in October in Radlett, Hertfordshire. It's a very good experience my dd used to attend and loved it.

Dance*is*life I remember Happy Feet but I couldn't remember what it was called, I tried to tell my dd about it. It made me laugh as we had a pianist when I danced and we went to all the away festivals on a coach or mini bus. I remember being last pick up to one festival and we'd only booked a mini bus so I had to sit on a suitcase in the aisle between seats - that would never be allowed today. Well done and good luck to all those off to the finals

This was my dd first try for YBSS, so she's not an old favourite Ribbons.

My dd at auditions for YBSS yesterday got an email to say no scholarship but she has got a place for week 2.

Good luck this weekend to all those going to funding auditions at Rambert for YBSS, safe journey.

Welcome Double Tour Have you tried liking Elmhurst/elmhurst School for Dance on Facebook, I know one at least 1 current Year 9 parent on their whose son will be in Yr 10 in Sept. My DD will be in year 8 in Sept.

Welcome Dancingfeet looking forward to seeing you later this week. Welcome Cotes Du Rhone 1 - think my dd is is your dd room mate next term, I second all your comments on Elmhurst my dd loves every minute and I've no complaints.

Thank you for all your wonderful input. I wasn't suggesting that anyone but the best be accepted into any dance school or company. Just wondering about the difference in training methods. I'm sure everyone on this forum hopes their dc is talented enough to gain one of these prestigious places. There are a lot of talented dancers out there both at vocational schools, on CAT or associate schemes and a local dance schools globally, it's a small world. Wouldn't it be wonderful if funding wasn't a issue anywhere in the world - but unfortunately that's not the case. The joy of dance is shared by us all and I enjoy watching dc at all levels when they dance with, joy and love and dedication. Each is an individual and some will get to follow their dream and others like myself will enjoy dance for life both watching at all levels and taking part in a weekly lesson and appreciate the very talented dancers in the fantastic companies out there..

Just wondered on anyones views regardings International Students filling 6th form places. I heard comments from yr 11 students whether they are at vocational school or not saying how amazing a lot of the International students were at the final auditions. I was just wondering how and why if they are so amazing compared to british trained students - why they would want to come over here, and secondly would their countries training methods be permitted over here - would some of their techniques be assessed as abuse in this country and if so why are we as a country supporting such training methods. I may be completely wrong and I don't mean to offend, I know all our dc work extremely hard and have a lot of passion and love of dance but shouldn't we be standing up for our own to have places available in sixth form. Don't misunderstand me I'm not racist or saying talented international students shouldn't get any places at all after all Ballet companies are their to showcase the most talented dancers in the world. Just shouldn't they all be on a level playing field. My dd is at vocational school and we are both extremely happy with her training and would hope that she will still be there and hopefully gain a place to continue training as a 6th former - financial restraint from the goverment being addressed. Appreciate any views if if you think I'm completely wrong.

I can't believe after I posted this, I went to check my emails and received an email that said my former teacher is going to celebrate her 100th birthday on 27 March. What a coincidence:) Dancing certainly kept her active. Her name is Mrs Hilda Wroe (Hilda Halliwell) and she taught in Southport at Loretto School of Dancing and in East Lancs (Burnley & Nelson area). She was an RAD examiner and travelled the world examining. A true inspiration.

Hi there just thought I'd share a few words of wisdom which my dance teacher shared with me some 35 years ago. "Some of my pupils will become performers, but others will make excellent teachers. Remember not all performers will make good teachers and not all good teachers are able to get up on stage and perform. Either way the joy of dance is within each of them and will probably still with them all there lives." I unfortunately never made it as either although I did teach for a while - but had to give up - that's another story. but my love and joy of dance has never left me and at the age of 40 I gave birth to a dd who has my passion and love of dance and a far greater ambition than I ever had. Not only am I watching her develope but I go festivals, ISTD awards and watch other dc and get immense satisfaction and joy watching them all develop and enjoy dancing. I know how rocky and hard a dancers life can be, but I don't regret a minute of my dancing life or any penny and time I've spent on my DD . Oh and it's still my favourite exercise each week.

Good luck to all the DC going to ISTD Ballet this weekend. Going to miss not being there this year love watching so many young dancers from all over the okay and those who travel from abroad.

Well done to your dd loulabelle. My dd thinks she knows your dd they met at ISTD ballet awards and Janet Cram finals last year also did she get musicality award at G4 ballet awards.

Hi balletjack i've sent you a pm

Well done to the yeses and hugs to the nos. Can't believe it's 12 months since our journey began, dd enjoying every minute of being a Elmhurst and living her dream. Good luck for the finals, but whatever happens enjoy the experience it's only one direction and if it's not a final yes maybe it just means your dancing route is a different one or you've arrived just a little too early. You're probably where you are today cos of a great teacher and she'll still be there for you.My dd tried several routes one she missed out on getting reserve place which never materialised and another she believed wasn't for her, but she wouldn't swap where she is now for anything and but she'd have happily stayed with her dance teacher and carried on working hard and enjoying all the experiences she got there and she did get loads from festivals, panto, ISTD awards in both ballet and modern and she even danced in the Nutcracker with the Northern Ballet, school shows, so going away can be a sacrifice as well as dream. Don't ever stop believing in yourself dance from your heart and your love of dance will shine through.

They are on the first weekend in March think it may be 5th & 6th if that's Sat & Sun. Good luck my dd has done them in the past and always enjoyed the experience.