Bluebird22

I had 5 audition today 4 got in 1 got a place on the reserves! Think there was quite a lot auditioning tonight

I think we should all be far more child like in our approach to things we don’t know about or don’t understand. I have witnessed so many parents leap in and apologise for their child’s questions and then scold the child for being rude! As I’ve mentioned before I have virtually no voice and I speak no louder than a whisper, I include it in my introductions to new people more often than not as it eliminates them feeling awkward about asking me what’s wrong, or worse still whispering with me! 

My experience of the teenagers I teach is that they will ask questions as an adult I would be cautious about asking. I teach someone with a prosthetic limb which I know seems completely irrelevant to your question but myself and other teachers initially tried to make as little fuss as possible but my other students sat and asked her lots of questions and ultimately we all left feeling considerably more educated! It may be unusual for you to wear a different uniform at first and the other girls may ask questions but take that as an opportunity to educate others and engage in an open discussion. More often than not issues arise where there is a lack of education. 

There are dance wear shops that sell catsuits/unitards with long sleeves, legs and a high turtle neck, I would consider that plus maybe a mesh overlays dress like what Bloch sell or a wrap over skirt, a perfectly acceptable uniform. There are lots of beautiful wrap skirts available and I am sure some of the independent skirt makers would also be able to create a matching hijab so that it did truly feel like your uniform for dance class. 

Good luck! 

I’ve tried the cheap ones but the venue layout means there is no distance at all between the cast and audience, plus it then looks too similar to the Toy Soldiers. I looked on Just Ballet and couldn’t find anything maybe I’m looking in the wrong place! 

Why are boys costumes such a nightmare! 

Hi, 

I have a sneaking suspicion my dressmaker is about to let me down! I am after a boys nutcracker tunic ideally red velvet approximate age 12! 

Can anyone help?

BBODANCE now offer a level 3 btec in dance through south Thames college with good links to London Studio Centres. They offer lots of workshops throughout the year and have a strong contemporary emphasis. I’m also fairly certain it’s a free course so may be worth looking at. 

I agree with what a lot of people have said you really need your parents to at least support your ambitions. Maybe get them to come to open days with you so they can see what options there are. You can work in dance without being a dancer, teaching is the obvious go to but there are also degrees in community arts, dance for the elderly etc. 

No one school only offers school scholarships and the other is Student Finance 

Is there scope with any of the vocational schools to push back the acceptance deadline? The deposits are quite substantial and with only a month to find them, plus the added issue of not having had auditions elsewhere by the acceptance deadline! Had a student come up against this 2 years ago and now another this year! 

Any experience of this? 

Ahhh well that would make sense she was 13 when she enquired! 

Thanks Pictures! 

Can you confirm if this is just available for over 16s? Student of mine tried to get referred with a shoulder injury and was told she wasn’t eligible until she turned 16. 

i) Demi-plie en face, arms in bras bas

(ii) Degage a la seconde, arms in 2nd position

(iii) Arabesque en l’air, facing decote (side)

(iv) Girls only – 2nd position en pointe, arms in 5th position

Ooo yes good thinking, I’ll call them tomorrow. 

Hi Taxi how long ago was your DDs auditions? 

Can anyone offer an update from last year maybe? Just had the “both pairs of pointe shoes are on their way out they won’t make it through this weekends performances” text- ordinarily this wouldn’t be too much of an issue but auditions start next week and with performances and school we have no time to make the emergency dash an hour up the M6 for new pointe shoes! 

Unless I’ve missed something on the application form, they just want a head shot and full length picture in practice clothes? 

Can’t recommend this scheme enough! 

In the past 6 years I’ve had 8 students attend the scheme, Graham and Jane do an absolutely amazing job, I look forward to my yearly visit to watch Graham’s classes.

Teachers all have their own methods, usually completely individual to the student. All the above suggestions are great, maybe also look at exercises you can do with a theraband. Most beginners find pointing on the floor easy enough to remember the trouble seems to come when they leave the floor as there is so much more to think about. Practicing pony trots around the house you feel daft but it gets the feet working at the speed they need to when you start allegro. 

Photo requirements for the Royal Conservatoire 

(i) Demi-plie en face, arms in bras bas

(ii) Degage a la seconde, arms in 2nd position

(iii) Arabesque en l’air, facing decote (side)

(iv) Girls only – 2nd position en pointe, arms in 5th position

We did arms in bras bas pose 1 

arms in 2nd pose 4 

arms in 2nd pose 5 

Those were the photos Central implied would be on this years application when I spoke to them 2 weeks ago. Rambert we have done in pointe shoes like the girl in the pictures online. 

Check with her teacher! I checked over a pair this week and I have my strong suspicions the shop is deliberately selling the student shoes that are unsuitable for her feet, thus speeding up the speed she gets through them. Her mum has noted that each pair she has purchased has been significantly more expensive than the previous pair. 

The BBO Intermediate ballet has petit jete and emboite en tournant. And it has really jolly music, which is very much appreciated after fouette releve and fouette saute which is a bit grisly! Just hoping that the New BBO grade 7 retains more of it’s roots than the new grade 6 which doesn’t even feel like it’s from the same exam board 😕

Yes I had read Harwels reply before I called them. I suppose there is no guarantee they will end up with DaDa funding in the future so until it is guaranteed there is no point mentioning it to prospective pupils? Who knows the whole funding thing is a nightmare.

As with a few schools myself and my students parent have spoken to the information given seems to vary based on who answers the phone, and the position of the person calling. I managed to get far more details regarding the application process than the parent, specifically the photo requirements. 

Parent of one of my students rang this week and was told £40000 per year with the possibility of a 10% deduction from the school scholarship? I rang this morning and could get no specific amount from them but there was no mention of DaDa funding. 

For a moment I thought they were asking for applicants to be fluent in Swedish! 

I work for a Swedish company and while I can muddle through translating as I read, because it’s quite similar to German, I certainly aren’t capable of speaking Swedish. Having visited a few times everyone is very fluent in English. I always feel terrible as I can barely string a sentence together in Swedish, I do keep trying but failing miserably!

I have 2 very excited students... they are absolutely loving the whole experience! Hope everyone else is getting on well too!