sarahw

A deposit in 5 years is pretty good these days......

Our dancing school is great - boys have worn football shirts at times. I think you have to accept that boys get grief for dancing and whatever helps them to stay (if they want) is great. my ex-ds does gym now - this has no credibility problems after the Olympics etc. Maybe we need a retired ballet dancer on strictly. .......

It sounds unlikely that rollering would reduce bulk. I think bulk is related to the load the muscles are put under?

I agree - take with your dance teacher. I think the vast majority do. As my dc's lessons are in village halls we've had some lovely psychedelic curtain backgrounds. .... I would say try to get a plain background if you can. I think they are more an aide-memoire when they're discussing after the audition. Some say wear the same leo for photos as at the audition. Don't think I've ever been that organised. .... Good luck!

I think the issue with dancers and osteoporosis is because of low body weight/fat. This can lead to reduction in oestrogen production in the body which may go with an absence or reduction of periods due to interference with ovulation. If the body does not have enough fat to sustain a pregnancy you may stop ovulating. Peak bone mass is achieved late 20s/early 30s I believe so for some dancers a lot of this time they may be underweight. Smoking exacerbates the problem. I think if dancers have had prolonged lengths of time at low body weight or not having periods they should certainly discuss the need for a bone (DEXA) scan with their GP. Realistically in the cash strapped NHS with GPs firefighting all the time they will not have time to approach ex- dancers - you will need to initiate.

Thank you Spanner. It's beginning to feel like an advertising frenzy.....

I feel so embarrassed getting to over 40 and not knowing what instep is...... but this is all very interesting thank you!

Balletqs- what do you mean by having a low instep but high arch? I thought they were the same!!

Thanks all, that is very reassuring and good tips as well.

DD age 12 is going en pointe. Her dance teachers seem to be going very cautiously etc. She just passed G5 and dances several times a week. As a non dancer I am worried about what her feet will look like and how they will function in the future as a result of pointe. I am also not convinced that a ballet obssessed 12 yo can really give informed consent either!!! Can anyone reassure me or otherwise? Thanks!

I agree with you all on all referendum related issues. Aaaaah!!! Have tried to be positive about democracy with my kids but this is hideous!!

Thanks all. Angel dc is too young now but should I come into a fortune Wells Away looks like an amazing opportunity! ! The Wells stuff in the UK is a good future option. All4dancers I will look at Tring and Chaperone Dance Forward as well. What amazing opportunities there are.

Hi Does anyone know of any? Thanks

Oh dear- was looking forward to it!!

Hi taxi I find them pretty similar to others sized in this way (1,2,3A etc) - fairly consistent as well. They are broader cut than Bloch for example.

Hi Coniger, Our experience has usually been of mixed age groups at these types of auditions. I am sorry that your ds was upset by it. All I can say is that they know the age of all the children- they'll have info in front of them. Often they are looking for potential rather than current achievement. If he wants to go again explain this to him. Also the teachers taking audition classes are always happy to explain if someone doesn't understand. Maybe his teacher could do a private lesson in audition style as practice? There are a few things they usually ask for like splits and frogs legs and these are things you can practice at home to boost confidence. Finally boys develop differently to girls and are often less flexible and slower on co-ordination when younger. On the plus side they are often stronger and can jump higher. ... Good luck for the future.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that :-(

Thank you for that- I feel exhausted just reading about it! Hope he continues to enjoy his new life.

If there were anyone lurking whose dc had got into ballet vocational at 16 from a non vocational background it would be very interesting to hear your experiences.

Piccolo I agree dance spaces are a major issue. I suspect many of the differences we have seen above relate to schools that have their own studios and those that use village halls etc. I'm sure as you say there are ways round- but I would imagine the chances of getting enough ballet to consider ballet vocational at 16 are limited under such conditions. Now hopefully lots will post to disprove me!!!

I can't help technically but am interested in the disparity. .. can you do right and left leg splits with the same ease? Can you do box splits?

Hee hee

Anyway, I have enjoyed the thread. It has revealed the diversity of teaching structures that are around. The forum is fab for this type of thing.

That explains it! Sounds good to have a school dance qualification that includes ballet and 'proper technical dancing' as my dc would put it. GCSE does not quite hit the spot. I digress.....

Yes I agree for a standard dance school. As a non dancing Mum I would look for a teaching qualification from a well recognised syllabus.