sleep123

Does anyone have a Little Ballerina chiffon skirt waist 24/25" length ideally 28" but the 26" would do. Also looking for a character skirt same waist but length ideally 26". DD has exam looming and having grown about a foot since the last exam her current skirts are a little short!! Thank you.

Last post I am done - you are totally incorrect that I had made that insinuation. All places are offered entirely on merit I think you would agree with that I was just saying it would then be great for all them to be able to take up those places regardless of family income and the gov subsidies made more accessible to all.

I am sorry Harwel I did tell you I was in a grumpy cynical mood when I posted! I am not questioning your integrity but as a tax accountant you would be aware that paye income is as stated whereas there can be element of manipulation for those running their own business. I suppose the point I was attempting to make before offending you was that in an ideal world it would be nice if training was offered to those based on their ability but sadly we do not live in that world! I agree Anna C it is a struggle regardless of who or what you are unless you happen to have won the lottery...here's hoping! I take off my hat to those of you who follow this route and allow their DC to pursue their dreams. I will go back to the sidelines and remember not to post late on a Friday night having had too much wine following a day with my nagging Dd asking me why she can't go to a vocational school!!

Sorry Vonrothbart I have to totally disagree with you the only individuals who are able to send their children to vocational schools are families on limited incomes who are then entitled to funded places, self-employed individuals who can manipulate their take home pay figures or those earning so much that the fees are insignificant and funding is not required. It may be cynical but it is true. There is no hope for working middle class individuals with mortgages and other family members to support. Training should be offered to all on merit and not on the perceived ability of the family to cover the fees. Sadly I have had to resign my Dd to the fact that my income will never support vocational fees. I know it is all relative but certainly being in some individuals minds being well off has not given my Dd any advantages in the dancing world. Yes I am being a grump and overly-cynical tonight!

We have struggled for many years to find a ballet school that would encourage my DD and meet her needs as her dancing friends moved off to vocational schools. She has 2 45 minute indifferent ballet classes a week but having said that it hasn't prevented her from being a RB JA and MA for the last 4 years. Yes it is increasingly harder for her to keep up with her friends dancing 6+ ballet hours per week but it can be done if determined enough. I am ever hopeful that we can find additional training for her but at the moment am content that she receives amazing training from 2 Associate programmes. I suppose what I was trying to say is don't get too carried away with dancing hours- yes of course in an ideal world it helps but you can only work with what is available.

I think they only used their studios for the younger group last year as the theatre had double booked. I am hoping all levels will be at the Theatre again as it is so much easier to get to by train.

We have put off auditioning for any vocational schools over the years primarily (as with most people on this forum!) due to finances should we have been offered a place! We are in the fortunate position to be employed , earning decent salaries which would therefore limit the funding available through mds if it were offered but sadly not fortunate enough to have clear funds available once mortgage and essentials are paid to cover vocational dance fees. Hence DD has the annual depression of accepting the situation in the autumn when the auditions start, getting over it and then the mixed emotions of yet more friends being offered places in the summer- wants to be so happy for them but tinged with sadness as she wants to go as well! In one last ditch attempt I thought it may be worth exploring the finances once and for all so help please! Do any of the main dance schools accept child are vouchers towards the boarding element of the fees? Someone had mentioned some general boarding schools do. Do any schools offer their own scholarships which are not means tested? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

That is such a shame loulabelle. Have you spoken to them? I know of a few Associates that moved into Seniors even though they were younger than the majority of the group. They are such an approachable group it would be such a shame to lose your DD if she is enjoying their classes if they are happy to move her to the older group. Let us know how you get on.

Just wondered if anyone was experiencing any problems with Bloch mail order? The shop are fantastic and have always sent things through promptly and processed returns. However I am having a complete nightmare with the online company branch-losing things between their old and new warehouse. Anyone had any experiences of lost orders/returns?

Any recommendations for Gloucestershire/herefordshire region?

Just wondered if any of the vocational schools accept child care vouchers for the boarding element of the fees? I know that a lot of the top public schools are and just wondered if this had been extended to any dance schools. Thanks for any advice anyone may have to offer.

Does anyone know what the rehearsal schedule is usually like? I know it must vary from venue to venue but do they tend to fall on a certain day, how many etc thanks. Also little DD has just turned 12 so would fall into the older group- how have other 12 year olds found being in the older group? Thanks for any advice.

We LOVE Ballet Cymru! Mids are 10-1.30 seniors 1.30-5. Have a DD in both classes and they wouldn't miss it for the world.

Does anyone have a practice tutu skirt they might like to sell? I have looked at dancedirect site Plume ones or anything similar looked good she would consider any colour but white would be her first choice. Size wise she is 11 so age 10-12 or a 2. Thank you!

Where does Catrin teach sugarplumsmum? Just googled but couldn't find any listings of schools. Also where does she practise her Physio? Thanks for your help.

Sadly think this may be half our problem.....

Hoping to draw on your wealth of knowledge out there! Is it possible or even advisable to try and manipulate the flexibility of ankle joints particularly in growing children. Articles seem to express the need to achieve a 180 degree line in extended leg (lying on floor face up toes to floor if you follow!) or you will struggle with the demands of pointe work later in life...thoughts please. Also rather bemused about contraptions like the foot stretcher which are available- again has anyone tried them? If the lack of flexibility is ultimately due to the skeletal make up then I am sure there isn't a lot that can be done anyway!

Dd has put one of these on her birthday list but I have noticed that they seem to be produced in Australia and distribute mainly there and in the USA. Don't suppose anyone has one to sell or are happy to say don't bother they are rubbish in your experience so I can scrap them from her list! Thanks for your help!

Appraisal for Bath MAs isn't until 21st May - I agree with amber21 it would make more sense for them to get the appraisals out of the way for their current MAs before making any offers. Not sure how they could make offers before then as they won't know who they want to keep out of the current group.

Forgot to add that the ability of the individuals in the classes does vary a huge amount but this isn't really a problem for the non-ballet based sessions!

Happy mum - my dd is in the seniors - the classes thin out the older they get and they currently have around 15 in the class. She is rad trained but has always loved the more expressive cecchetti form of ballet. She has passed grade 8 and is currently doing advanced so is a pretty high standard but she has always found the classes challenging and fun. As well as the more conventional ballet classes last years classes included: musical theatre workshop, various repertoire workshops including one from the fabulous Gillian Robinson, ballet Cymru workshop and lindy hop! They are always happy to move children into older groups if they see their ability exceeds their peer groups. Hope that helps. The newport bunch are a very welcoming and enthusiastic group of individuals.

My eldest DD has very narrow feet and much to her dismay no natural arch to her feet- in her defence she does work hard to alter this! She has struggled over the years to find a pointe shoe that she likes....any fellow flat footers found any makes that work for them? She does a lot of pointe but due to her lack of arch takes a while to work them in and has found many makes too hard in the shank. She wasn't overly taken with the pro-flex when she tried them but that was a while ago. Would be interested if any one could come up with any combinations she hasn't tried yet. Thanks for any help you have to offer.

Thankfully at my DD's JAs we didnot have to do the cross over plaits! Traditional bun with a small bow at the top of the bun and not underneath it.

Hate to tell you but this will be the new permanent venue

Out of interest can someone tell me where they hold the Birmingham Associates and who currently takes the classes.