Bluebird22

I loved that they included improvisation, the last time I took a student to audition there was no improvisation and I think it’s just the best way of seeing the children express themselves.

The girls in group 1 all seemed to be associates, and I think a few of the boys were royal JAs. I wondered if that was deliberate grouping? I know from previous threads children have felt a little intimidated seeing associate uniform at auditions.

I watched the last 10 minutes of the first group and thought the standard was very high! I actually felt sorry for the panel

I am hoping Black Friday brings a hefty reduction on that Topshop jumper so I have something to wear for the umpteen Christmas dance themed events I have to attend!

Hammond Associates run a mixed programme ballet, then usually jazz/commercial, and a 3rd subject. The jazz associates ran by Jamie Tindall https://www.jazzassociates.co.uk/ offer what I would call commercial. I think Rambert and the place have youth programmes possibly CAT schemes? I don’t know of any eyb style programmes but I’d be interested if you find any. A lot of my students join amateur theatre groups that stage musicals and pantos, but nothing specifically for dance.

No I’m not but I’ll see if I can reach out to them. Trying to convince the boyfriend to take the audio from the dvd!

The bbo changed their mark scheme earlier this year to Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction* I think if anything it’s made distinctions harder to come by? Although I’ve had 2 students gain a Distinction* they have both been the truly truly exceptional- and rightly so. With any change it takes a while to get used to not just for teachers and students but examiners too. I’m old enough to have been examined on the Pass, Pass Plus, Commended, Highly Commended, Honours system.

By the sounds of things there aren’t many opportunities for your DD to perform or for you to watch her. Particularly this time of year residential care homes love to have people in performing and it makes you feel good giving something back. Maybe your dd and some of her friends could put together a bit of a show, would give them something additional to work towards and nurture their creativity which is a skill that is too often overlooked!

Hi, I’m after the complete ballet music for Christopher Wheeldons Alice Adventures in Wonderland - Joby Talbot. I’ve purchased a version from iTunes however it is not all of the music and searching amazon, spotify and youtube has only pulled up the same 9 pieces. Any assistance greatly appreciated!

A yes for my student 😃

No although apparently Sunday involved A LOT of stretching and then maybe one or two exercises ? I believe one of the Birmingham JA teachers is on the audition panel

I did a research paper on whether research from education on parental engagement affecting attainment could be applied to the private sector dance. While researching I found a few companies who engage the whole family through dance, and research that suggested shared activities improved relationships? While I didn’t conduct any research I did link to my own pedagogic practice and considered ways to utilise the findings through my reflective journal.

What a fabulous opportunity, I relied heavily on Benjamin Adams’s book when working with and writing a report on inclusive practice for disabled dancers. Thanks for sharing @Jan McNulty!

Have other children in the class taken the exam and moved up?

Did you manage to get any feedback from the auditions?

Might be worth looking at your shampoo and conditioner, my hair texture went from a dry, unruly mane to shiny and almost perfectly straight. I use a mix of kerastase (pricy but lasts ages) and brazilian keratin smooth shampoo and conditioner. Never personally tried it but hairspray on a toothbrush is supposed to control the frizz?

Very sad to hear this, hope your dd is still continuing with ballet?

Has she got to wear them with bare legs? It’s been a good 10 years since I was last sent onstage bare legged in pointe shoes but I used a foundation in a round plastic dish quite sure it was from Dance Direct?

13-16 and I’m completely over the moon that they are starting to sew for themselves, they have chosen to give sewing a go on their new pointe shoe ribbons. The placing of the ribbons is absolutely spot on however the stitches are far too loose. I’ve suggested they practice basic stitches on an old pillowcase and then dismantle their old Pointes to practice on. From what I understand it’s not even their mums who have done the sewing previously it’s nanas. I’m no sewing expert I have just enough to get by!

Thanks @Anna C, hand sewing seems to have been what I was missing, obviously just not my week!

No it doesn’t which is the problem! I was taught how to sew and cook in school but not the case for my students

Hi, My lovely students are currently trying to learn how to sew their own ribbons and costumes, this is having varying levels of success. I have some great tutorials on how to sew pointe shoes etc but what they really need is a how to sew tutorial or video as their actual sewing skills leave a lot to be desired. I don’t have any time to sit and teach them but if I can point them in the direction of some sewing videos or guides I think that would really help! Thank you all in advance

I wear these jazz shoes and love them, the cut is a little lower at the front so I find it lengthens the leg a little more than other jazz shoes, at 5”2.5 every little helps! https://www.dancewearcentral.co.uk/dance-shoes-c46/jazz-shoes-c52/capezio-pure-knit-jazz-shoe-p2667/s27242?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=capezio-pure-knit-jazz-shoe-natural-5-colour-natural-size-5-i-cg31wnat5l&utm_campaign=product%2Blisting%2Bads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4syi0cDU4wIVibbtCh2OsgYmEAUYASABEgJ8p_D_BwE I also have the bloch pure jazz shoe but I’ve found these give so much that I either have to buy too small and feel uncomfortable until they give or buy the right size and then find them too baggy. They are a hard wearing shoe and last longer than the knit ones

@Anna C re fitters fee definitely worth checking with the shop, our local shop charges £20 for the privilege of being fitted into whatever shoe they can pad out and make fit 🙄

A few of my JA students have had knickers from Victorias Secrets as well as crop tops, apparently they run very very very small. For our most recent show I did try and search for bras as a few of my senior girls said they were struggling to find the exact perfect bra/bodysuit to make their white tutus less see through, Selfridges had a really interesting thong back backless bodysuit with proper cups (think it was about £35, and was designed for cut away dresses, which made it perfect for dancewear too in my opinion). The girls (and I suspect their parents purses) were delighted when they found a clear back, clear strapped proper bra in Primark. It’s been a while since I ventured into Primark but they used to do a low back converter thing which may resolve the back issue?