Klaris

Thank you AccentuateThePositive! My dd had the most wonderful 2 weeks residential with NYDC - such hard work but says it was the best thing she has ever done, for so many different reasons She told me that they had watched a Riot Offspring rehearsal and that it looked fantastic - should be a really good programme of dance on June 8th. I like the idea that your dd has now gone back to school for a rest!

Wonderful news for your dd - really happy for you both Klaris x

You can buy a special wire brush, we got one really cheap from ballet teacher. Then use it to scrape the bottom of the ballet shoes to create a rough surface, which does help with slipping. You can use it as often as you need to and it just slips inside a small ballet shoe sized bag.

A huge well done to your DS, Dancers Driver - a really good choice of schools for him, all quite different as well. Keep us posted on what he decides to do... Klaris x

Well done to all the DCs who have got an RBS associates place. Jazz Paws and if only! - huge hugs to your lovely dds (and to you both too!) They really deserved this xxx

Thank you Kitschqueen - that's really sweet of you to remember She's really looking forward to it - as I'm sure all the others are too. Hope your dd enjoys her CAT Easter intensive - have they got a choreographer coming in? Klaris x

Hoping your evening goes smoothly - and that your dd has a wonderful time. Been thinking of you...xx

If only! - I have used up my quota of 'likes' but thank you!! I don't think I really need three guesses, do I...will I see you on Saturday? x

Hello Ballet4life, I think most of us on here know exactly what you're going through... All you can tell yourself (and your dd) is that she has done her absolute best - and that is all that could be asked of her. The subjective view of others is not something in our control. Whatever happens, she has done brilliantly to get this far and if it is a no this time then there will be many more opportunities to come for her. But, really hoping you do get good news... Klaris x

So sorry it didn't work out for your dd - but well done to you both for making the right decision. I'm sure she will be happier going to classes that suit her dance style better. Hope you find something suitable soon. Best of luck x

Thank you everyone - your support's much appreciated Klaris x

Our dds are at the same CAT and I seem to remember something in the literature about being able to transfer to another CAT scheme if the family moved - providing they got through the audition. However, what this means for the mds I don't know...could you ask, or would that create problems? If not, you could always contact National Dance CATS with a general enquiry. Klaris x

Thank you Kat Janice - they said 2-3 weeks and true to their word the result came 15 days after (this just shows how we counted the hours down - wish stress made me lose weight!) We were waiting for a letter, but they emailed dd - she got it yesterday evening while we were driving to ballet. Had to pull off the road while we both had a little scream... Best of luck to your dd - they are so lovely and friendly there. Pm me if you'd like some more info x

Hi everyone, Just had to share some fantastic news - my dd has been offered a place at Rambert! This has been her dream since starting at her CAT aged 11, when she was introduced to contemporary dance. Since then she has loved ballet and contemporary equally so to be able to go to Rambert at 16 means the world to her Good luck to everyone still auditioning and waiting for results - it is an agonising process (for us parents anyway!) Klaris x

Hi AccentuateThe Positive! Many congrats to your dd for being selected to take part in the Riot OffSpring project - it looks really good from the pre-publicity I've seen. My dd isn't in that, but is in NYDC - so will be dancing at Sadler's on the same programme. It should be a great night. We'll be coming to watch of course, but won't be there for rehearsals as NYDC members will be residential based for these.

Your extremely prompt service and attention to detail is really fantastic - it's wonderful to be able to buy from an online company you can absolutely trust So pleased for you that you are able to continue developing with the shop. Klaris x

Thanks Kitschqueen - I was wondering if your dd auditioned or not. Great news for her friend getting in - I think it will be an awesome experience for them all x

The finals for the new National Youth Dance Company took place at Sadler's Wells on Sunday - did anyone else go? dd said it was a very tough audition day, but really exciting - she got in!

We know exactly what you mean about Grishkos! My dd had their soft blocks and pointes until quite recently and they stayed rock hard, no matter what she did (she even made me run them over, on instructions from her ballet teacher - a useless exercise!!) I really don't think there's anything you can do about the noise either! Still, they do look pretty - and dd found them very comfortable

Hi Ribbons, I do realise that you're not trying to pit lower earners against higher ones, I am just concerned that this could be an unwitting consequence if the one pot of money available is spread thinner. Obviously you have to try to resolve issues that affect you personally, and that is only right and proper - I am impressed by your energy and commitment, and how articulate your letter is. The whole issue of funding is such a worry for us all...

Thanks for posting this - my non-dancing 18 year old son loves to go Salsa dancing. Which surprises us all as he had no interest in sport etc at school. After work he rocks up at the Salsa class - with a mate or on his own - and has a couple of hours of great fun. One of his partners last week was a 6 foot tall, middle aged policewoman - he's only 5 foot 9 and was very amused when she told him he led really well And by the way, four months ago he had 10 hour surgery on his back for scoliosis - so I totally agree with all the benefits listed above!

While I applaud everyone's efforts here I am feeling a little uncomfortable about the emphasis on high earning families. It feels to me that Ribbons' extremely articulate letter may unwittingly pit low income families against high income ones for what is a finite pot of money - surely the real issue is that all talented children should have the same right to top quality vocational training regardless of parental income? I do understand that the changes must be a severe blow to earners over £70k, but surely it's parity for all that really needs to be campaigned for. And I also want to make the point that this sort of income will seem like a phenomenal amount to many people - including those on this forum. Families who are on a very low income - below £20k or so - do need to be supported fully because trying to find any extra money at all in these circumstances is truly impossible. There is a case to argue that children of lower earners will have had less access to quality training and dance opportunities than those with higher earning parents, for all sorts of reasons- so the use of the word 'potential' alongside 'talented' is absolutely vital here. I do think the Govt have tried to recognise and help with this in recent years through things like the CAT scheme, which is for pre-vocational training. I feel we should all - regardless of our incomes, be they high, medium or low - try to get the Government to support all our young dancers with talent and potential. This can only be done by introducing a scheme that allows them to train at the highest level possible with no financial bar to entry. If that means in this day and age that our children have to go through the same student finance schemes as university degrees then so be it. Proper and comprehensive student finance should be made available to ALL 16+ dance schools that meet stringent criteria for vocational training - and that training should not just be in classical ballet but in musical theatre, contemporary or a combination of all.

Hi Janice and Ellen, You're right, there isn't anything on the Rambert application form but if you are selected to audition then that letter asks you to bring one with you on the day x

Hi Pointytoes, my dd says that the pointe work in the first audition is basic - rises, releves, echappes etc. and no pirouettes. As far as the academic report goes, my dd is home educated so perhaps someone else can let you know what they submitted. Good luck with everything

Janice and ellen - it does seem a bit much to ask for a doctor's letter at the first audition. My dd was going to audition for Northern, we had to pay our GP to fill in the form (which is specific to them so can't really be used for other schools.) DD then decided not to audition there! Rambert is the other one we have found who ask for a GP letter, so we shall have to fork out again - but they do say a photocopy is fine, so this could be a letter used for multiple schools if necessary. Our GP practice won't do anything without payment - I wanted the back of a passport photo signed by a doc who has known me for nearly 30 years, so I could volunteer with EYB. She refused to do it unless I paid (would have been between £20-25!) Grrr!!!