LinMM

There is also London Russian School in Clapham. They have a website so you can see what's on offer though I think this will have a smaller intake than others mentioned so am not sure number of places for 16-18 but you can email,them and they are usually very prompt in replying to emails. Other schools mentioned are probably more established. I think Central is a good option for more ballet orientated as well as ENB. It's the funding that's the big problem and presumably you would need this so competition is strong. After Central I would go for Tring but you probably as others have said just need to have a go at as many as you can rather than put all eggs in one basket so to speak.

Thanks John Mallinson....it's just me and the iPad to which I seem to be symbiotically joined at the moment....so guess its alright not to sign out every time. I suppose on thinking about it I ought to do every so often though or I'll probably forget my password!!

Sounds great and who knows what openings could come from it. I wish I knew someone who lived up in or near Edinburgh who could offer you a cheap stay but unfortunately I don't. If you are going by train you can get very good deals on "advanced" fares which are released 12 weeks in advance. Coach travel can be cheaper if you don't get an advanced rail fare. The problem with driving up that distance apart from petrol cost is......could you do it all in one go or then you need an overnight stop somewhere which all adds to the expense....then let alone any parking fees which may have to be paid!! Two drivers sharing the driving could make it feasible though. Sometimes it's worth exploring whether the universities are offering any accommodation though if they are no doubt that's popular so have to book quickly. Also Youth Hostels are worth checking these days as often they offer more individual sleeping like single and double rooms as well as the dorms etc......I'm sure you don't have to do jobs any more either! Anyway hope it all gets sorted for you.

Not quite the same question but I haven't officially signed out yet since I joined the Forum.....does this matter in any way....I mean is it a good idea to sign out each time. I never think about cookies and wouldn't know how to block them etc! I have never been on a forum until this one and don't twitter etc so may not be up on things that I should, thanks

Well that is hard going Fizz....certainly the no holiday at all bit! My record for not abroad though is 12 years on the trot!! Hopefully will get one in September this year. One of the good things about retirement is that one doesn't have to go in school holidays any more when all the prices go up a few hundred! What is your daughter hoping to do as part of the Edinburgh Fringe?

Ah well both still at it then! I'm sure he'd be very surprised to know I'm at it again.....still trying to bring something to fruition!! I read his book recently "The song sings the bird". Enjoyed that. To get back to the music thread though....I do remember if any of his pianists did not quite get the rhythm he wanted he would whistle instead!! Okay but....don't think I'd want for every class!!!

Just a thought.....you could take to dance busking in the street.....could earn you some extra cash!!

I guess it's baked beans for you all for a few months then!! Lets hope the British summer comes up to scratch for once so then you won't have to regret not having that well earned break abroad!!

I assume Roger will have retired by now.....must be in his 80's!! I'm glad David is still playing then. But there was a rather special atmosphere in that particular class. Roger's classes were always very intense at the best of times but he was a great teacher and passed on a great love and respect for classical dance.

Yes I suppose By having to do it oneself one becomes an expert at it! Seems shocking what you say about these professional videos though especially as you have to pay for them etc. My friend who has a DD (aged 13) lives in Sydney and may have to get into this videoing task. As it happens they are over for a visit this summer and DD is doing two summer schools here....the Yorkshire one and then ENB as never know when can come again!! In previous years she has done day courses at the RAD in London. But as both parents are from UK and most of other family members are located here I think they are keen on the idea of a UK company.....if it should all come to that fantastic conclusion! in the end though I suppose anywhere they can get a chance to dance for a few years would be fine too. They are in this position where they never know now too how long hubby's job there will last.....precarious times for all at mo in the job market...and harder in Oz I think because of the distances between cities etc. Anyway hope your daughters audition is successful.....will she try anywhere else too?

Had a really lovely day at Franziskas workshop in London yesterday. The centre practice focused on various tours en l'air from lunge preparation......into attitude/arabesque/ al la seconde turns which I found quite hard as getting onto demi pointe from this position requires a lot of strength. A couple came off but these definitely need a lot more practice!! However the highlight was learning a piece of choreography from Le Corsaire....the third Odalisque dance the one with the arabesque and en dehors /en dedans pirouettes across the diagonal. Anyway this was great fun and very energising trying to remember it and eventually give some attempt at "performing" it!! I just wish there were more mini repertoire sessions like this and I am going to ask Franziska whether she will consider doing more either as a workshop or special repertoire class(a two hour class....hour for warmup then hour to learn a piece should suffice) Her next workshop in July in which the centre practice will focus on pirouettes may not have this repertoire bit.....will check....but it does seem to be what everybody really enjoys and would like. Anyway inspiring day. In the end I bought a pair of Bloch split soles in black.....they fit really well in D fitting in canvas range but have my reservations about the wisdom of split soles for me and my feet!! Interestingly the leather split soles are narrower and didn't fit as well as the canvas. My reservations are.....will the shoe give enough support and will canvas last more than 3months on my feet!! Anyway will give them a go and they did come with the elastics partly sewn on which was a godsend!! Do most others use split soles for their ballet lessons(adults I mean) these days or do others wear full sole shoes?

Yes I would say go for it. Your daughter is 16 so although still young should be able to deal with the rigours of the auditioning process. Out of interest when you apply via video do you just do the videoing yourself or are there sort of specialist dance video people who do it?! I imagine its not that easy to film someone dancIng.

I so agree with your comment spannerandpony about waiting sometimes....I saw a documentary on Elmhurst and a boy who showed promise had to leave because he had not grown enough that year and I thought if they had just waited another year he could have grown a lot taller.....not necessarily....but he might have and I thought deserved the benefit of the doubt after all the effort put in so far. So it seems we don't treat our own talents that well sometimes. The sort of thing that bothered me was if he had been a paying student and not on a grant/scholarship would he have been allowed to stay? So does money still talk so to speak....whether its parents or sponsors paying the fees.

That's great Michelle creating your own choreography can be fun and very satisfying.....and at least you've got three weeks to do it. Sometimes something that is helpful is once you've chosen your track just move completely non balletic ally around to see what movements you can feel in the music and then turn the main ideas from this into more balletic form. But I'm sure you've got your own method anyway especially with your salsa experience. I know the musician you are talking about who plays outside the ROH I love his music too and have often thought of buying a CD etc I thought it might be nice for long car journeys. I would love there to be a more choreographic class just once a week as I think Ive said before so may have to get some like minded dancers together!!

Years ago in one of Roger Tully's classes we had a rather special Friday choreographic class...so after the barre the whole centre practice was given over to creating a dance. We had a wonderful pianist David Ward who played for this class and he had a great feel for the requisite music though sometimes we worked to a particular piece....exquisitely played of course. This class was the highlight of my week for a while. The music makes all the difference.

Thanks chinafish as I missed this and it's important that one of our dancers can do the original choreography....I'm sure Anjuli will be pleased to know this!! Next time I see Bayadere I'll look out in particular for this in that dance!

Yes Dance is Life these young people enter more competitions and win scholarships or earn sponsorships. The dancer in question in my above post did well in America at the YAGP. Sometimes at these competitions representatives from the top ballet companies are there also looking for future talent etc. A lot of these kids from abroad certainly could not afford the fees!!! Just as ones in UK can't . In fact the only way some can continue to dance at all is if they get some money from these competitions. I know competitions are not everything but they do seem to be full of Chinese Japonese and South Americans with a smattering from Europe and Australia. Very few UK students seem to go to these competitions. I don't fully understand the sponsorship role but if Companies can get Sponsors to pay for students might that not also sway their decision into who is admitted to senior schools etc obviously given the students have lots of talent......which they usually do!!! This just about stays within this topic thread I realise that why are there not more UK dancers who have been trained in UK in the Royal Ballet and other top companies and does this mean the Royal is in danger of losing its specific or former style.

As far as passion is concerned I'm sure it's the same for all those bitten by the ballet bug wherever they come from and many students (and parents) are willing to sacrifice a huge amount to keep going till goals and dreams are reached or have to be given up. However I do think there is sometimes an added incentive to some students from abroad....especially from their families.....as being very successful in sport or medicine or music or ballet etc is seen as a way out of comparative poverty. You can see this a bit in evidence in the film First Position with one of the dancers (who was obviously very homesick at times) but had to go to another country to get the training....one of his dreams was to study with the Royal Ballet......and he achieved this....against the odds really....and is now in the company!! Also in the past(not sure how it works these days) in Russia if you won a scholarship to a big ballet school like Vaganova or Bolshoi etc I think the reverse could also happen where the student could lose the passion but there was pressure from home to continue for similar reasons as above.....because becoming a "star" of a company had its own relative financial rewards....which would not have been the case in a UK company for a person from UK.

Just got back sorry it's a no for her afab but at least she has found out for herself and this will hopefully stand her in good stead for future auditions.

Walkies With Chunk....could be a best seller!! A funny doggy story....once I was sitting in a busy vets waiting room (with my then now deceased cat Toscar) when a man arrived with a Great Dane who he struggled to get through the door...as obviously had bad memories of the vets.. Anyway finally got him in and the man sat down whereupon this huge GreatDane leapt onto his lap visibly shaking....it was such a funny site that the whole room simultaneously burst out laughing!! Poor dog.....at least the man saw the funny side and said his dog was always like this he was used to it now. Also talking of names and revealing a bit of ignorance now....when I got Toscar in October 1984 I wanted a theatrical name and liked the sound of Tosca even though had hardly been to any operas at the time....just heard and seen the name in print. Then a friend pointed out that Tosca was a female in the opera not the male as I thought so I just added an "r" and the name became Toscar!

The age difference thing can apply to cats too....observation of parents cats.....it must be so annoying this young upstart continually trying to pounce on your tail when you're just settling down for your nap! Is Chunkydog the name of your dog Janet?

Will she know today whether she goes forward to the second audition?

MargaretN7....I'm not very good at this sort of thing but how about sword in Giselle flips up and kills Albrecht instead of Giselle no need for second act then!!

I don't know the dance well enough to have looked out for this but I don't remember him going from kneeling position into a turn as you say....gosh how would you do that.....seems impossible.....oh for young knees!! However this young dancer from the Royal made a great impression on me with some extraordinary jumps at the beginning and created an other worldliness feel to the idol to set the final act.

It is nice to be noticed for something ones done well but I can't get used to it!! Tonight in class the teacher called out "That's it Linda you've got it (as I usually havent)....."well done" across the room and then I immediately went wrong!! Shock I suppose.... Especially in this class as its my Russian slightly more challenging class of the week! But does keep you really trying!