taximom

Lovely to meet you yesterday, thought your stand looked beautiful - you certainly seemed busy every time I went past so hope you have had a good show and done well!!

Justballet I'll come and say 'Hi' - will be wearing purple WCT college polo shirt Heather

It is particularly useful for gathering information and doing as many classes as you can. It is best to book these before going to make sure you have a reservation and it is also cheaper than on the day. Some classes are already sold out. Whilst attending Move It there is also Perform, a much smaller event for aspiring actors. I took a group from college last year and am doing teh same but staying longer this year so they can attend every class possible!

There are also the JW Schaum books which are a series of about 12 books all known by their colours. Suitable for children / teens they may also be OK for adults.

EYB will take upto 21 if not at vocational school I think, certainly 18.

Where abouts are you? Have a look at the CAT's - Centre for Advanced Training. A number of centres throughout the country mostly aiming to develop contemporary dance. If you are near London you could consider the Saturday classess at the place perhaps. There may well be a youth dance company within your county which is likely to be contemporary based.

Tom (from Central), who was in the finals of the Prix last weekend, went last year I think it was and had a wonderful time, both socially and dancerly. I know languages aren't his forte and he certainly didn't have any problems.

The CAT schemes go upto 18 but you have to have entered the schemes by the age of 16.

Tom is the only UK student at a UK school. There was a young German lady from ENBS but don't think she has gone through, not sure. Tom, like all the other dancers, really deserves this, he has certainly worked hard and comes from a non vocational background but from a very good local school and attended SA's before going to Central at 16.

Excited to say that Tom has just posted on facebook that he is through to the finals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Toms number is 424

Tarantella??

Tom has flown out with his mom and is very excited!! Looking forward to his progress, He has always been an exciting dancer to watch from teh day he first started dancing, will never forget him in the dance school Summer School playing 'ken' in 'Come on Barbie' when he was about 6 or 7, he just loved all the attention!! You go Tom!!

Dhhh of course it is Hamstead!!

Depending where you are looking a lot of london dance students use Hyelm in Hammersmith. There is also Chester House a Methodist Student Hostel. I know a number of people who have booked Hyelm and then dropped it when decisions are made as it is a good place to stay but I understand gets filled up early. Heather aka Balletmom

Rambert and Central are degree courses and are funded through student finance. Yes, you can get it at 16 as it is the level of course that kicks it in.

Apprentice contracts as in Bern Ballet, Rambert, Alston, Scottish Dance Theatre, National Dance Company Wales, for example that are through London Contemporary Dance School, is a post grad scheme (approx 6 - 11 months) and therefore the student pays! It is interesting to note that a number of apprenticeships offered could not be taken up by first choice students as they couldn't afford the fees. They are also not 'open' auditions in that the dancer auditions for the post grad 'course' stating which of the companies offering apprenticeships they are interested in and then a small panel selects which company/ companies you can audition for. You have no choice other than to say who you would like to audition for. However it is interesting to note that National Dance Company Wales are offering 10 week paid (living expenses) apprenticeships to 6 dancers, auditioning at the beginning of November. Edited to add name! Heather aka TaxiMom

Rehearsals usually start at 4 or 4.30 so after the school day. EYB usually use a school to rehearse in so don't have access until school finishes. My DD did her last EYB in the June as she was doing her GCSE's and also had her 16th birthday. It was the best thing she could have done as she didn't stress so much about the exams and concentrated on what she loved most and I am sure contributed to her good results. The school did express their concern but couldn't argue about it being a good stress buster!

Just to let you know that this will open at Drury Lane following Shrek going on tour and A Chorus Line is going into the Palladium.

No, just ripped the ends off and nail varnished the edges of them!!!! It was sewing on ribbons that took the time, even recycling ribbons from one pair to another she needed about 4 pairs 'ready to go' at a time!!

When my DD did Lady Bluebird and lady Beauty in Sleeping Beauty she got through 12 pairs of pointe shoes over the whole rehearsal and performance period! Admittedly Lady Bluebird role was the RBS choreography plus the coda rather than a student version so she had intensive rehearsals! When not rehearsing her part she was helping teach the little cinderellas their role so constantly dancing!!

Edward at La Danse in Worcester is good, give him a call to see what he has, he usually has a good choice - 01905 27541.Address is 3 The Hopmarket, Worcester WR1 1DL

When my DD did EYB we travelled from Worcester to Wolverhampton (our nearest one) but also did Swindon and Yeovil very much further!! But always worth it and we turned the main rehearsal period into a family holiday when she did Yeovil. Heather aka Taximom

'My dd is loving being a Songbird/Cinderella ' And such lovely costumes and pretty dances!!!! Heather aka Taximom

If you think it is too far, take a deep breath and consider if it would be possible to have a family holiday during the main rehearsal period and try to make it work? EYB is so very special it is definately worth it. This is what we used to do and my DD's last one was in Yeovil with us living in Worcester! So have a think!!