Nana Lily

My cousin's son auditioned for 2nd year SA's last year. He was doing two classes per week at his local dance school and had done a couple of EYB's where he had the opportunity for "mens" training. he hadn't ever applied for RBS associates before. Off he went from the north to London for his audition, had a lovely experience, he felt they had a good look at him and was able to have a go at everything he was asked to do. he didn't find it intimidating at all and found everyone friendly and helpful. He was given a place to start this September!! So yes do have a go and most of all enjoy your experience! NL

Yes Kathy, what a nuisance, the link has now gone! Looks like Midlands Today only stays on iplayer for 24hrs

so sorry, didnt see this post as I made mine!

A little glimpse into daily class at Elmhurst for you, and a wonderful interview with Robert Parker. The girls class is year 9, and how gorgeous they look. I think the mens class is 6.1? but sure there's someone out there who will know! During the middle of the report there is footage of a BRB class with Marion Tate. The feature starts at 23.18 and finishes at 25.19. A two minute window into the life of my 13 year old! Unfortunately as its on iplayer those outside the UK wont be able to view Enjoy the clip especially those starting on the audition path this year. NL

Watching the opportunities of the amazingly talented Olympic athletes I have been thinking of the wonderful opportunities our vocational and CAT scheme dancers have through the Music and Dance Scheme and CAT Scheme. I have been so inspired by our Olympic athletes. But I think the Olympics goes beyond this, as may kids don@t think they can be part of what is going on, Hoe do we reach out out these children????

Thank you for your clarification Dr Dance. You are in a unique position of being a dance teacher, have your sports rehab qualification as well as your research. There cant be many others like you around! NL

I think in answer to the question of Spanner "but are you of a medical background" The answer is "no"? Since Dr Dance is not a Physiotherapist, Osteopath, Chiropractor or a GP or Orthopedic Surgeon, I am assuming Dr Dance is not qualified to "Medically" diagnose or treat patients with dance related injuries. However in the context of the original post on this thread has a very valuable contribution to make with the studies and research carried out and achieved. If my assumptions are incorrect please do clarify. The work Dr Dance describes is highly valuable to the health and well being of young dancers, but I do feel the original question put by Spanner needs clarification. edited for typos'

I loved the show on Saturday evening and enjoyed the variety of dance demonstrating the versatility of the students and their training. I agree with all that has been said above. It must be a huge challenge to develop a programme covering years 7 to 6.3, there really isn't enough time in an evening to cover everything and the two programmes don't really differ that much. I believe Elmhurst is the only school to do a fully integrated show, RBS, Tring and Hammond split their shows into upper and lower school? I am sure someone out there will correct me if I am wrong. It would be possible to split the U and L school programme (maybe years 7 to 10, then 11 to 6.3), but still have that all important whole school Defile at the end of each show. Each child would then have the possibility of being in a ballet and one or even two other dances, but for half the number of shows. Performance opportunities are essential and they need more of them. I agree the graduating year/upper school should have the opportunity to perform in a public theatre. How about the Crescent Theatre, its used by local dance and drama groups, so it cant be expensive. Looking forward to watching it all over again this week! NL

Have a lovely time at the induction day tomorrow! We will be there for the evening performance due to casting, so will probably miss most of you. Hope the weather is kind as the children have played outside for the last two years on induction day, but even if its raining cats and dogs, they wont mind. They (and you!) will be so excited its a wonderful day and so lovely to watch the show after. NL xxx

Sound advice given above, especially as the children are generally taken out of their academic lessons to have their individual music tuition and they have to catch up on academic lessons missed. Remember also they are expected to practice their instruments daily, so its an extra thing to do in an already busy day. Music lessons don't always start at the very beginning on the school year though, a chance for the children to begin to adjust to their new busy and exciting routine! No need to feel pressured to start music lessons straight away, it depends on the individual child, you can always add in later! Exciting times enjoy the 7th!!!

Thank you Yaffa!!! I was beginning to think I had dreamed about the workshop. NL

Congratulations to your DD Happymum!!! As a JA your DD will be given exercises for her metatarsals along with other exercises. If RBS were worried about her feet, they wouldn't have offered her a place, after all they have a big selection of children to choose from. Enjoy your journey! NL

Hi and congratulations to your DD's!! Its usually the end of July/beginning of August before we get the letters with the exact details of your contribution, but finance can give you a close estimate. Enjoy the 7th, its a lovely day! NL

A little update on Paris Opera Ballet School for you afab....page 72 in the July edition on the Dancing Times features a report of the recent workshop by Carole Arbo. "As they get older and more experienced, training diversifies to include singing, contemporary dance and Jazz.". NL

Thanks afab, yes they use him for stage craft and performance coaching for the ballet students. I believe White Lodge also have done Stage Craft in the past, not sure if they still do, but sure someone on the forum will be able to comment

Come on folks, share the information with the forum, a lot of people would like to understand the pro's and con's of the different tutu carriers!

Hello Balletco'ers! Around two to three years ago the RBS did an outreach day at Covent Garden with the Musical Theatre Coach from the Paris Opera Ballet. Unfortunately my girls were unable to attend. Did any of you out there have children who attended, how did they find the workshop, and does any one remember his name? I have looked out for it since on the website, but it doesn't seem to have been repeated, although in May a ballet teacher from Paris Opera Ballet did a class. I remember we received a leaflet via JA's We do have a forum member based in France, maybe you can help? Many thanks NL

There was a report out a couple of years ago on the future of DADA funding. In that report one of the key contributors reported how young people who had cruise line experience set themselves up well for jobs in the West End, both for musical theatre as well as dance. When they went for auditions they have great experience to draw on and are considered to be very reliable candidates with maturity, rather than being straight from a school with no experience of being a professional performer.

My husband has seasonal asthma, he is 52 and is a fell runner, has done the Welsh Three Peaks and other monumental fell runs and races. He was diagnosed when he was 7 or 8. The key is management and with support your daughter will learn what to do when and together with support from your asthma nurse and GP what medication suits her best. A few years ago (15 years ago?) he was in denial and stopped being so vigilant, we had a couple of scares to A&E and he soon got back on track. Good luck with it all, live with it, manage it properly and like Kathy G's son and my husband it shouldn't stop her from doing what she wants to do. NL

Have to say I am lost and confused by the information, other than some cruise ship companies expect you to pay some upfront expenses, which appear to be quite large, so something to look out for or avoid. NL

It is a wonderful competition! Last year my younger DD was in the final after winning the junior class prize in the Northern heat (there were two junior classes that year and two class prize winners). The whole ethos of the competition was amazing. For those who don't know the comp, they have set syllabus exercises, then free work plus their individual dance, so I feel it gives a very fair and rounded opportunity for the dancers and for the panel to make their judgments. It is very professional and everyone I know who has taken part has found it a very positive experience. My daughters are now at vocational school so didn't take part this year, but well done to our friend who went though to the final this year f(for the second time!) from our old dance school who danced beautifully today and had a lovely time.

A point of clarity, the ballet schools are set up as charitable trusts and details of their finances are available on the Charities commissions website. Interesting reading. Here they are for last year: Elmhurst: Income £4.1M, Spending £3.9M http://www.charityco...sidiaryNumber=0 The Royal Ballet School: Income, £9,8M, Spending, £9,8M http://www.charityco...sidiaryNumber=0 Hammond: Income £3.1M. Spending £3.4M http://www.charityco...sidiaryNumber=0 Sorry couldn't find Tring, though it is there somewhere. They are charities and there are no profits. NL edited for typo

Well what ever we all think she is very successful. Put her in pair of tights and a tutu and its a different story, she looks gorgeous here! http://www.martinipink.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/meisty-copeland-2.jpg edited with correct link!

Thank you so much for finding this! I thought it was lost forever in the archives of the BBC. I really enjoyed it when it was broadcast, especially as my elder DD had just started in Y7 and I was missing her dreadfully, it gave me a little window into her new life. NL

Hi Jane, we had a problem earlier this year with a Freed shoe where the back separated in a strange way. I just thought my DD needed a new pair of shoes, but took the old pair with me,. The fitter looked at them and decided they were possibly faulty. She spoke to Freed and sent back the shoes. I had a phone call a few weeks later to say they had been replaced, so our next pair of shoes would be free of charge. Guess the message is, ask and question, shoes aren't always perfect. NL