Happymum

Yes, she went to podiatrist and osteopath and even orthopaedic surgeon! What they generally said is that she is extremely flexible and needs to do strengthening exercises to keep her joint safe and to make her feet stronger. She also wears insoles. And I guess I just wanted to hear a story from one of balletcoers about a girl with similar problems who has been accepted at vocational school anyway....

My DD is 8 and started ballet 3 years ago - more seriously just a year ago. Her toes are curling under ( clawing) and I know that for pointe work straight toes are needed. Also big toe curling slightly towards second toe ( bunions). Any ideas how to improve it?

And her arches are just average apparently - not high not low. Feet are flexible, getting stronger by strengthening exercise - but nothing can be done to change the shape of the bones. And yes, we have plenty of time and we are happy to have the JA place - but just would love to hear more about perfect ballet feet :-)

Well, that's "just" a JA - nobody had a close look. It looks very different when they audition for Y7. Just thought that someone has DD with similar problem or just more information?

My DD loves ballet and has recently been offered a JA places in Briatol. After a week of pure joy I'm starting to think more realistic. I know that my DD doesn't have good "ballet feet". I read few ballet feet description written by physio/surgeon/doctors who take part in medical exam at ballet schools and I heard other people stories etc. So I have some idea how ballet feet should look like and just wonder how important it is? Even if a child is a fantastic dancer, will s/he be always not accepted because of the feet? My DD has "curly" toes (like me and my mum, my grandmother) and has very long and narrow feet. She also has a visible (overgrown ?) Intermediate cuneiform bone - little thing slightly sticking out at the middle of the top of her foot. She of course he's been seen by specialist and it's not a problem normally but when it comes to ballet it might mean everything! I told my DD about it and told her that this might be the reason if she's not successful this year and I know that at the audition children took shoes and socks off so I was supriced and so happy when the letter came! But now I would like to know, before we do all what possible for her to be able to do JA and lots of classes and workshops etc - does she stand a chance when she is older?

Good luck to all who auditioned at Elmhurst yesterday. Just wanted to ask - do they send just a Yes or No letter or do they have a waiting list as well?

It's a YES! for my 8 years old DD!!!!! (Bristol )

Again no Bristol results today. Looks like we need to wait much longer than I hoped. Anyone with experience? Do they really send the results for Bristol/London much later? I'm supriced how much I'm waiting for that letter. Hope it's normal...

Still no letter. We need to wait. Do you know if they send Bristol/ London letters much later then Birmingham/Leeds etc. ?

I'm sorry Grumpybearzuk. Hope that your DD won't be to disappointed. She can still try next Sat at Elmhurst - Good luck!

Oh I mean that the postman didn't bring the letter. We are still waiting (sorry, my English is not perfect)

Congratulations to all yes-es and waiting lists! Postman just came. No letter... :-( (Bristol audition)

Aren't all the letters out at the same time? Oh I feel very excited and nervous - our first time.

I also agree that gymnastic will develop different muscles ( quadriceps especially ) and arched back - one of the things checked at ballet auditions. If a child is serious about ballet career Pilates is ideal to improve strengh and flexibility. Shame it's not so easy to find Pilates class for children.

Thank you New to dance and sorry it's a no for your DD this time. How long did you wait for the results?

I just realised that we have no directions/map/parking info etc for audition day. I guess that we need to go to the main school building, main entrance and then ask at the reception desk? I have never been to Elmhurst before. Hope there is a big car park.

Well I think that every parent will know the best how to explain a "no" to his/her child. Every child is different and they all will react differently to what patents will say. We can share our views always, it's interesting to read but no one will have the one and only right answer. And as to the results- still waiting for the letter :-) I tried and prepared my DD for all 4 possible answers from RBS

I just received it today as well. group 1 at 11.45

Thank you, New to dance. My DD audition on 23 June but we still have no details from Elmhurst. Is it normal or should I worry about it and contact the school? We just got an email a long time ago to confirm that they received my DD application form.

We have been told (Bristol auditions) that we need to wait till July! Hope that it's not true... Our first time as well! I was waiting patiently till few days ago but now I'm so happy that someone started this topic!

My daughter (8,5) does normally 3 ballet classes and 2 Pilates classes a week plus a few feet exercises every evening at home. On top of that is swimming and country dancing once a week. She would love to have ballet class every day but I said that it's to much for her and to much for my pocket. I was lucky not to hear any bad comments till few days ago when a health professional ( !!!!!! ) said that she is working to hard. My daughter disagree, she never feels or looks tired. But it certainly made me feel bad and guilty.

Do you know if turning steps/skips or any turns are done at the Elmhurst JA auditions? My daughters did practise them at her ballet classes till the end of the last term but in summer term her teacher needed to cancel all classes so my daughter is not having a proper training this term ( bad luck just before the auditions :-( ) I think that this is the most tricky thing for her so just wonder is she needs to work on them or not ( probably in a park as there is no room at home ;-) )

I sometimes think that I was "born to dance" but my parents sent me to vocational music school so I spent 12 years playing instruments instead of dancing. At the moment I dance salsa as a hobby only. When my daughter was old enough (3,5 or 4 - can't remember) I took her to nearest ballet school but she didn't like it! About a year or two later she said that she want to try ballet again. After the very first class her teacher said that she is quiet good and moved her to more advanced class and after no more than a month my daughter said that she wants to be a ballerina and since then she didn't change her mind! I often ask her if she's still happy to do many classes and exercise at home. I don't won't her to fulfill my dream - I need to be sure that she is following hers. Sometimes I think that it is not normal for 8,5 years old girl to be so focused and determined. I wonder how long will that last - few more months or for ever?

The wait begins! My DD auditioned in Bristol today. I think that I was nervous more then she was. She looked beautifully, did her best and came out with a big smile. We have been told to wait for results till July! I hoped that we may hear from RBS in June, before Elmhurst audition. Good luck to everybody!

Well done to your DD and DS! I'm supprised that you have your results already and we need to wait for the audition till 23rd of June! ( Birmingham, also year4). I thought that they wait with the results till the end of the last auditions like RBS does.