sarahw

I was surprised by the staff as well as the audience at the ROH. The ushers appeared disinterested - our tickets were not checked once- staggering. They did not try to point out our seats for us and I wouldn't have had any confidence they could deal with behaviour issues. They gave the impression of being agency staff on their first session. Maybe they were?

Hi I agree with you Huddsballetmum. My dc loved this week. Had a fab time - great teachers, great show. Small groups (14) so lots of corrections. DC has done Hammond and Elmhurst SSs and this was up there with them. Tutugirl and staff worked so hard. I am a bit reluctant to recommend because don't want it to get too big!! The small size made it personal for the kids. THANKYOU!

Hi Jane, Yes I agree on the recording obsession- people miss out on actually experiencing the event. I'm surprised they were allowed to film- or were they ignoring a request not to. I was also watching a different end of SS show last night and I am pleased to report a well behaved audience in this respect.

Hi Spacy Poor you and dd. It sounds like a nightmare. Hopefully you are on the correct path now and things will improve. Good luck.

I went to the ROH for the first time last Saturday 16 for the Cinderella matinee. I watch ballet elsewhere but not often London. I was surprised by what I consider to be rude behaviour by 2 women sitting next to us. They spent a lot of time saying how disappointing it was and how it was better the previous time they'd seen it. (Unfortunately not bad enough for them to leave in one of the intervals! !) Then they got up to leave fairly early in the curtain call so our whole line had to stand and our line and those behind couldn't see. Have decided I was naive to think there would be 'perfect' audience behaviour at ROH!!

Hi new123 It is great when you see your dc with a constructive hobby. Whatever else happens you know they are fit, flexible and disciplined and as they get more serious - planning their time and learning to deal with disappointment. These are great life skills.

Also should've said I think a ballet dancer could pick up modern at a later date but you would find it hard to do the same with tap.

Hi there, My personal feeling is that they should be doing what they enjoy at age 8. I don't think you can plan for a career at that age. Cutting out jazz and tap at this age may affect her enjoyment? If you have a choice between 2 options go for what suits you best..... There are no black and white answers.... Good luck!

What an inspiring story Juliet, you must be so proud! !

Hi I don't have experience of the s/s but do of the Bloch Prolite full sole A fit. My dd has horribly thin feet which are a nightmare to fit in any shoe. The A fit is great. The Bloch are a bit more expensive than other shoes but lovely quality. The other style which we have used in the full sole is Sansha tutu. It is the 'medium' compared to the wide or standard fit. Because this shoe comes quite high over the foot and can be gathered in it is flattering. The split sole version is around £15 I think and looks lovely. Haven't tried the leather version. Hope that helps- shoe fitting can be a nightmare.

Hi Balletsister I know exactly what you mean. My dc did get into JAs but I think it has put us on a roller coaster we wouldn't otherwise have known about. I think their ultimate career is not likely to be a professional ballet dancer despite their desire to be one. I think some of the enjoyment has been lost due to the pressure of auditions etc. And my life has been affected as well. My dc would disagree of course! !

Hi Angel, Last year the schedule of classes was very intensive. Ballet orientated but other stuff as well. Nice evening question session with some dancers from BRB. It is difficult for me to comment on the quality of the show as I am not a dancer. Last year DC did Hammond and Elmhurst and to me the Elmhurst show was of a higher standard and more ballet. She is doing Elmhurst again loved it +++. The staff were fab with them. HTH

Hi Dr Dance, My dd would def be interested. Would need to be residential because I work. A ballet focus would be great. £250-300 would be fine.

With medical hat on I would say a hernia is a possibility but unlikely- assuming you are one of the 'young' posters. But worth seeing your GP to exclude it. If there are no other symptoms then rest abs and ice. You have the strength for the exam already and won't lose it witb a few days rest. Keep stretching elsewhere and gentle abs stretches to reduce stiffness in the injured area - maybe cat and child stretches?? Good luck.....

Thank you all. I have bought a pack of Bunheads and some of the Claire's Accessories ones to try. I think it is the Claire's ones I've seen in the past.

We use the bun nets from Boots which are pretty flimsy I think. I have seen girls with large volume buns using those strong 'slumber nets'. My dd bun is too small for these, even doubled over. Can anyone recommend a strong bun net? Thanks in advance.

Good luck Regattah to you and both your girls. It is very difficult to divide yourself between the 2 in this situation. I know many with chronically and severely ill children not only have to worry about that child but feel that the other (s) necessarily lose out on parental attention. Hope it all goes very well.

Sorry I sound like Angry of Tonbridge Wells there! !!

I am also staggered- surely preparing and supporting through auditions process is basic? As others say it would make their graduate figures look better. It must be that dc are so desperate to go parents are less critical of these things? I bet if you were paying for a. n. other private school we would all be more discerning. Would you pay a school that didn't advise your child on a UCAS form? Well, you wouldn't tolerate a state school not doing it. My dc will be made to read this thread!!

Good news- won't blame the machine washing then as only do at 30...

Ditto, I've bought zillions this year and not at vocational school. Guess I should be hand washing? ?

Should ve added it is so horrible when these types of comments are made. If you are/were not a dancer yourself it is hard to know what to believe. I find this forum very useful for that reason....

If your child does well at festivals, exams and has got into an associates and told she has good technique the teacher must be doing something right!! Why don't you ask the associates teacher for her opinion? Maybe also chat with your teacher about the benefits of doing modern. All my dc love modern but the JA teacher was only concerned about ballet not other dance forms so maybe if the ballet is up to scratch it's not as important? Does your ballet teacher offer pilates?

We did have a few comments at JAs about the fact that dc did BBO and wasn't aware of some terminologies. My understanding is that the BBO is quite a technical syllabus. But RAD is in a large majority it seems. ..

I think they did go out of business and then re-opened. Not sure of the technical term!