Nana Lily

My DD wears socks for contemporary at her vocational school, but they are slipper socks with the little sticky tabs on the bottom.

Ladies don't forget there are also host families who provide accommodation, worth considering for 16 year olds!

Billyelliot we found ourselves in a similar situation a few years ago who our DD's were still at primary school. Both our DD's were cast in a BRB ballet, one for the tour and and Hippodrome week and one just for the Hippodrome. It was a half term and DH and I both work. We could have done train or car with help of Grandparents, but it would have been near impossible with a mix matinees and evening for one and all shows for the other. We rented an apartment at the Arcadian, and between us and sets of Grandparents stayed at the apartment over the week. It was great fun and though probably just more expensive than individual multiple journeys, much less stressful. We all loved the experience. We did get standard rates of reimbursement from the Company so that helped a great way toward the cost, as it was our choice to stay the whole week due to our work situation. Would definitely do it again and the whole family felt they were part of the experience, happy times! Enjoy very minute and well done for the casting! X

Here is my review of the Lowry on Wednesday 2nd April: I first saw a Ballet Central production two years ago at the Lowry and I was delighted to see that this year the theatre had a much bigger audience than two years ago. There must be nothing worse than dancing to just a few rows of people for young dancers about to graudaute after three years hard work at Central Ballet School let alone their previous years of training. The show opened with Continuum, choreogrpahed by Andrew McNicol, who is currenty doing his MA in Choreography at Central. It was a splendid opening using a large cast of Ladies and Men. I am traditionalist (I do love a tutu!) and though this was a contemporary piece (or was it neoclassical, maybe someone can help here?) I really enjoyed it. There was a confidence, competance and communication with the audience which came across. Costumes were simple and effective.Rendezvous was a dark and emotional piece choreographed by Sara Mathews in memory of her Grandfathers who served in World Wat I. John O'Gara performed this dance, which had no music for the most part, in complete isloation other than a poerty narration by Sir Derek Jacoby. He gave a corageous, poigniant and fabulous performance. The first act concluded with The Corn Pas de Deux and Friends from Coppelia Act 1. For me it was delightful to see something traditonal. Saki Katoka and Peter Allen were lovely in the as de deux. The friends were animated with a wonderful perfomace quality. Its at the beginning of their season and I am sure this will continue to grow as they move through their numerous performances. Act II opened with Five Lullabies, choreographed by Christopher Gable and staged by Carol Gable. Enchanting, light hearted in parts but also with depth and emotion, (its about growing up) it was performed very competantly and was a joy to watch. Toots goes to Charleston choreographed by Leanne King was a classic 1920's fun romp with fabulous charleston steps and gorgeous flapper girl costumes. Performances were wonderful and I really enjoyed this dance. Meraki closed Act II another Contempoaray/neoclassical (?) dance with very effective black and white costumes. According to the choreographer, Daniel de Andrade who created this dance for the graduates, Meraki is a greek word meaning (doing something with soul) and these students certainly did. The lighting during the opening minutes was too dark for me and it was difficult to see the dancers, but it was an exciting dance. Carousel dances was Act III. Fabulous circus girls costumes, amazing use of poles facilitating trapeeeze style tricks and dancing as well as very inventive carousel pony poles demonstrating the strength and skill of the young men, not only lifting the ladies, but the carousel poles as well! Faboulous performace, lovely pointe work and such creative choreography by Christopher Marney (Matthew Bourne's New Adventures). Carousel is one of my families favourite musicals, the dance by Amelia Jackson and John O'Gara culminating in and orchestral version of "if I loved you' was sublime. These two young people danced amazingly, communicated with each other beatifully and passionately, and sold their story effortlessly to the audience. I loved Carousel! Do go and see this graduate show, you wont be disappointed.

What a wonderful evening we had watching Ballet Central at the Lowry last night. Good to meet Tulip! I will do a review when I have more time. NL

Yes Tulip I will be there withy elder DD!

MDS funding covers the cost of the gap between What the parents pay and what the school charges Pictures. If the school puts the fees up, the MDS still covers the gap, parent contributions can change too though. In effect MDS is a buffer against inflation if the school increase the fees. The cost of running premium property in Central London must be a massive commitment, as must the refurb costs of WL which would most probably explain the high cost of fees at RBS v Elmhurst for example. In any organisation a change in management at the top often results in other changes, which can be good for all. As others have said wishing all there the best as changes take place.

Hello Angel, can you explain what you mean by 'funding cuts ' ? Children are entitled to MDS via means testing. Also RBS have other privately funded scholarships via private individual contributions. What had changed?

Thanks Cats. W . What are your prices ?

Thanks for posting , this looks very interesting? However where will the master class take place? Where are you located and can you post a link to your website. Thanks

Lovely article, thanks for posting!

At some point in their journey most performers will have this experience. Your DD is still young. Doing associates, fesitvals and the regular training for some children can be too much in their young lives. Think about what Aileen has suggested, perhaps cut back a bit on the festivals, by either reducing the number of festivals or cut down on the number of dances. A friend once had a similar issue when our DD's were around 10, and at that time no one was sure if she really wanted to dance at this level. Our teacher had a chat ith her about all this things she did during the week, at school and with dance. She asked her to share which she liked doing by asking her to 'rate' all her activities. 'What do you really love doing at school' 'writing stories' and what don't you like doing at school 'maths'. If you could give writing stories a special number with 10 being 'amazing' and 3 being 'don't like it' what number would you give 'writing stories'.....mix in the dance areas with school activities and 'going to parties' playing with friends's etc . You can do it as a game and write all the activities on a chart, then get her to put the rating number next to the activity. It may be best to do get a granny or someone to do this with her, so she doesn't feel any pressure. It will bring out how she feels about her associates, festivals and dance in general as well as her other activities. My friends DD loves dance and still dances doing the odd festival, but chose to get off the vocational route. She may return at 16 if that what she wants to do. I think it's harder to uncover once they become teenagers as hormones and the self believe comes into play even more, that's just growing up, but can be a big issue. Looking forward to hearing others comments.

Bless her, hope she recovers soon. health first, dance the icing on the cake. She is a determined strong person, with a good family to support her. Sending big hugs x

Sorry I am a little late in replying to the lovely posts from Meunière and Amelia for posting the links. Very inspirational thank you so much!

My friends son attended the SIBA SS last year and thoroughly enjoyed it and a friend of my daughter's. http://www.siba-academy.com/ NL

Thank you so much ClaireR! That's so kind of you! I would never have found it. I think I danced to that piece of music during a dance school 'display' when I was about seven or eight! It took me straight back and I love it.

Best wishes for a good outcome!

Fantastic news about your son Belljul!! Many congratulations and best wishes for next week! LTD, not sure about your question, I am sure someone on the forum will be able to answer, however three of the boys are ex Elmhurst, with two just joining RBS at the beginning of this school year, one into year 10 and the other into 6.1 and a friend mentioned there are also two ex Tring students, now with RBS through to the finals too. I see that ENBS students have also received some awards! well done to them too. NL

Hello folks out there, I recorded the first programme, and just finished watching, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have a question for you. Can anyone tell me what the music is on the final credits? It's so familiar to me from my childhood, but I just can't identify it, hoping you can help? Thanks NL

Thank you for all the updates! Well done to those through to the semi's and good luck! NL

Wanting to send best wishes for those competing today and good luck for the semi-finals. Quite a few dancing friends taking part for the first time this year. Have a fabulous expereince! Will be good to hear news if you can share. NL

I couldn't agree more Aileen, maybe we all expecting too much from our vocational children in terms of employment and you have certainly made me think about this in a different way. When we embarked on this journey with our children DH and I wanted our DD's to have a wonderful experience, opportunity, get excellent training, a good education and be happy. Employment would be the icing on the cake. In someways I think we were more realistic at the beginning of our journey than further along the route, but that's with hindsight. One house patent did say, you can never take away the whole experience you are giving your children...wise words I think and helps to develop them into the adults they will be (hopefully with jobs!)

We are going for the first time, no idea what to expect!

I had the new one. In mail me if this is what you are looking for. NL

If you hammer enough so they completely soften and go 'mushy', they don't re harden... anything less and they do. If they re harden there can be nasty spikey areas inside the box and then they become impossible to wear. If I have to bash another pair, I will video before and after, if I can work out how to post. BTW DH thinks we are crazy taking a hammer so manically to new expensive shoes, but it the only way, no problems with digging into the feet on demi pointe. as DSP says, they do look gorgeous.