Nana Lily

Tulip, congratulations to your daughter! Shame we didn't know each other was attending, we could have sat together. Taxi4ballet and Fiz, you could hop on a train together and see it in London!

Lowry Performance: I went to watch Ballet Central at the Quays Theatre (Lowry, Salford) last night. Ballet Central is the graduate year of Central School of Ballet. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and felt the level of performance, expression and musicality throughout was outstanding for such young dancers of only 18 and 19 years. The rep was varied and interesting with classical and contemporary in a two hour programme. My favourite dances were the opening, "Celebration" by the late Christopher Gable, and the final dance, a narrative, "Whodunnit!" based on the cluedo game, choreographed Mathew Hart. The acting was outstanding with each dancer staying totally in role throughout the dance. Costumes and lighting were superb and so was the music with several original pieces composed and played by their Musical Director Philip Feeney. Its tricky to pick out dancers when trying to work out who they are from the casting sheet, so I am not going to mention any specifically, but felt the standard of dancing was good. Sadly the performance was poorly attended, a great pity as adults and children alike really enjoyed the evening. A number of my local friends would have gone to watch with their children, but didn't know about it despite being on Lowry mailing lists, in fact I only discovered it last week after receiving an email from North West Dance about the workshops. Its also great value at £10 - £12. There are plenty of tour dates around the UK, so do go and see them, you wont be disappointed! I wasn't aware of the number of international students at a London based school with only 10 out of the 32 students from the UK. Given this school is a conservatoire offering a BA in Dance and Performance (students are funded via the usual university funding route) I found the ratio quite surprising. Are they limited on the number of BA places they can offer? How are international students funded? Workshops: The workshops are free and supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. If you attend a workshop you also get a discount for the performance. In Manchester they offered a workshop for boys aged 12 to 18, workshops for primary schools and an adult workshop (for all, beginners, dancers, anyone interested in dance!). Not having danced for over 25 years, and being close to 50, no longer having any turn out, plie, extension or any technique whatsoever, I decided to be brave and go along and I had the time of my life, loved it! The Artistic Director Bill Glassman took a ballet class and playing the piano was Philip Feeney the Musical Director. The workshop took place in a lovely studio with huge windows over looking the Quays. We were all ages and non dancers/dancers. Ben Owen, a third year student, gave a contemporary class and then Francesca Tennant (third year student) taught the group part of the rep from "And then hope soared". Five very helpful students were with us to demonstrate and encourage. The atmosphere was very friendly and everyone has a fabulous experience. The students were a credit to their school and their art form, they were very caring and encouraging and I would like to say a big THANK YOU to them, the Ballet Central staff and the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for making it possible. I have put the link to the Ballet Central website here so you can take a look at their tour dates. We call this forum "Doing Dance" so I would encourage you to find out about the workshops and go "do some dance!" and watch their show, you wont regret it! http://balletcentral.co.uk/ontourpage2.php NL

Well done Fiz!!! Here's to your next class tomorrow. You inspired me and I booked myself on the adult workshop at the Lowry with Ballet Central. I did contact them first, told them my age and what I have (and haven't done for 25 years!) and they were very encouraging, its for all levels including beginners, you just have to be an adult! Will be setting off soon, so excited! NL x

Thats such good news for your DD Kiwimum and how generous of your friends to let her stay with them, Fabulous all round! Wish her all the best for her future training! NL x

That's interesting, mine for two nothing like the two above explanations, we pay a lot more, though not twice for one! NL

Both my DD's in recent years were offered MA places, but had also been offered vocational places. We turned the MA places down straight as we knew we could take up our vocational places. If you do know that you can do the same (and not everyone can) don't forget to let RBS know asap, as there will be dancers desperately waiting for news on waiting list places for MA's. NL

Thank you Rachelballet12!

Just caught up with the thread, so sorry to hear about those little DD's who had a "no", remember its "not now" rather than "never". Some lovely words and support from forum members about their own experiences. Well done to those who have been successful and enjoy your journey! Good to bump into you last week Sniffymum! Well done to your DD. Nana Lily xxx

Hi letter arrived yesterday....It was yes!!! So thrilled for him, he only started to take lessons at age 11, and is currently in year 10, so he has an SA place for year 11, his first RBS audition. Lot's of hard work ahead, but a wonderful opportunity for him!

I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this thread, shared their experiences, schools policies, opinions and concerns. As parents and carers of young dancers it is a topic that should be visited and not swept under the carpet and this thread has provided good information and discussion. As we approach the Easter break the forum may become quieter (or maybe not). So I wish you all a good Easter Holiday and may you all enjoy your chocolate! NL

Well done to all those with a "yes" and commiserations to the "no's"....don't give up. Does anyone know if any boys (men) have received their letters for SA's? Have seen that girls have (March 31st). We are waiting for a family member who hasn't had his letter yet. Thanks NL

The vast majority of vocational children don't have "Anorexia Athletica" or any other forms of Anorexia. Cant say that "none" do , but then I go back to my original post!

Aileen, they are weighed in their leotards, they spend more than half their working day in a leotard and tights, no where to hide. Most of their day they are virtually naked! Get a grip! NL

Thanks Peach, The Elmhurst students are measured for height and weight once per term. There is a great programme for nutrition and is discussed openly and freely. NL

Hello All......found this today on facebook, apologies if someone else has posted, just a quick dip into the forum today, but its very topical and is a follow on to the Guardian article by The Arts Desk http://www.theartsdesk.com/dance/opinion-what-ballet-school NL

John and Primrose, thank you for posting the links which are helpful and constructive. Why this thread diverted into third hand reports about White Lodge I have no idea. NL

A very interesting article by Mathew Lawrence of BRB. It seems there isn't much research out there. http://www.dancing-t...sordersinballet NL

Don't forget friends, that the article was published in 1995 and so may be not in line with what they look for today. NL

Fiz, a friend from the southern hemisphere shared this article with me recently. Its is rather old, not sure if it will help, but it makes for interesting reading! Enjoy! http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1083/is_n1_v69/ai_16284353/ NL x

Plie, how did you come to your decision to choose the Harid Conservatory when there are so many schools in the US? What age did your DD move over there? Thank You NL

Best wishes to everyone for MDS auditions!

Best wishes to everyone for funding auditions!

Sorry to hear about the no's, sending big hugs to all, and has been said many times on this forum, there are many ways to Rome. Best wishes to those still waiting and well done to Lala. NL x

Oooh!! C4D, is there good news in your house???? NL x

There are some items for my DD's which we have to get from their vocational school's supplier, and their service is excellent. I prefer to get pointe shoes from a nearby ( not local) dance school where their very experienced teacher/ex ballerina fits their pointe shoes and girls school are very happy with what she recommends, as their feet have grown and matured they have moved into different brands. I do shop around for tights to get the best fit and most durable, and cost effective for my girls and tend to buy on line from dance direct who I find cost effective and efficient. For flat ballet shoes I use the Bloch shop in London, they do a different range than available from on line shops, and have found a specific shoe available in a variety of width fitting which suit my girls feet and the school are very happy. In the past I have bought items from Planet Dance, they do offer a wider range of sizes of shoe than dance direct (1/2 sizes) but sometimes you do have to wait for them to order in, so if ordering from Planet Dance always phone the order through AND ask if they are in stock, if they aren't I ask for a follow up phone call or email, and they have always obliged. Hope this helps! NL