pas de chat

So does my DD - good luck to you. If it isn't what you wanted then just continue to work hard as it always pays off in the end.

We would love them to come to Leicester one day x

We always do our exams in a village hall and to be honest in my experience (albeit a few years) they can vary widely year on year depending on what examiner you have. A village need not be a terrible place although I'm sure many are. My DDs teacher is very well prepared and adds to some really nice touches to make it more comfortable, like a nice china cup and saucer, table cloth, cushion flowers, it's warm so she can move her fingers etc.

I think it is for young boys (8/9) who have never tried dancing or have only been to class for a short while to perhaps try and inspire them by introducing them to other boys who are at the school. I think if your DS is quite young and inexperienced it might be worthwhile.

Sadly not for my DD but maybe some young potential DSs. See RBS website for further info. Boys’ Ballet Workshop schedule Sunday 13th October 2013 10.30am Welcome and registration 11am-12.15pm Boys Ballet Class 12.15–1.15pm Lunch and tours of The Royal Ballet School 1.15–2.15pm Demonstration Junior Associate Boys and Upper School Students 2.15–2.30pm Q&A session Note: One parent per child and teachers attend all of above 2.30pm Boys and parents depart 3–5pm Teachers’ Practical Workshop taught by Pippa Cobbing, primarySTEPS Coordinator Anyone interested in signing up for the workshop can request an application form from tlink@royalballetschool.co.uk or 020 7845 7064.

My DD really enjoyed the Cecchetti SS at Tring. The ability was very mixed but I think their main focus was on loving dance, learning new things like Greek/Spanish/Pilates and meeting lots of new friends. DD has made lots of new friends from Malta/Ireland/Spain and France.

I would wonder whether she/he is the right teacher then if she reacts badly? A good teacher should want the best for their pupils and not restrict their growth. She may not think the new school is good enough though and recommend a different option - just a thought?

Hi Boogalou there isn't a link yet as the new Tring courses timetable isn't announced until mid September but I reckon it will be on the w/e of the 15/16/17th December. My DD loved it and the ENB's performance of the Nutcracker is surely one of the best. On the Sunday afternoon they put on a mini Nutcracker, DD did Waltz of the Flowers, then Santa comes and gives them all a lovely pressie and they sing carols. I can't quite remember the price but it was reasonable ( I think she had it for her Christmas box) and was a lovely start to Christmas.

DD did the RAD RW in London in March and it was very enjoyable but she felt it was not really long enough for her to benefit just a great experience and a fun day out. Ability was very mixed, the price was very reasonable, teaching excellent and they learnt about applying stage makeup. We are thinking about the one in December at HQ. This made us think about RAD SS but we were too late applying for the week we wanted. If she has had a bad experience with SS then I would highly recommend Tring Christmas w/e. It is only a few nights, they go to the ENB's Nutcracker and then do a mini performance on the Sunday. It might be a way of gently introducing her to being away from home with other girls. The ability is also very mixed and they are all given a chance to shine.

we have this one in black and it is fab and keeps very clean.

I totally agree with you such a waste and they are not allowed to carry it over to the following year.

I would if it is going to be a permanent fixture as it is polite. It can sometimes answer questions for the teacher if they are looking tired or they change for the better/worse. My DD sees her teacher 3 times a week and has known her since the age of three and as with a lot of her pupils has a great influence on her.

In the last year since we have started to attend SSs/Associates/Dance Days we have come across a variety of teachers all who have a different way of teaching. She has experienced some very strict teachers and some that barely say a word and yet still command the attention of a class like Tania Fairbairn. Fortunately I don't think she has come across a bad teacher as they all have something different to offer and it is great preparation for the tough road ahead. However I am very grateful that her main teacher is not super strict but is more firm but fair. I think that would put off a lot of young potential dancers and also a little village school has to allow children who do want a career in dance to enjoy it, keep fit and active.

My DD loved Madame Agar at Tring SS last year.

I'm afraid this is down to lack of funds in the NHS as it was introduced for girls to protect themselves against cervical cancer which is very common and kills 1000 women a year in the UK. At the moment the only evidence there is for boys to have the HPV vaccine is to prevent some rare forms of cancer in males - I won't go into details. I don't necessarily agree with this decision from a moral stand point but I understand financially why they haven't rolled out the programme to the boys based on the current financial crisis within the NHS. This may change of course you never know with the NHS - they tend to have flavour of the year style funding! However like your friends I would provide the vaccine privately for my son and will do so when he is older.

Hi Primrose did you have any luck from the Army for funding vocational school?

One of my friends did 'sticky problem' when she was about 13 about having some chewing gum stuck on her foot. Not sure if this was a set dance those many moons ago but it was very sweet! excuse the pun!

This is her first Cechetti experience but we know Tring quite well from the Easter dance week so fingers crossed it will be great fun. Near the end of August I'll contact you. Hope Leeds goes well for her!

Hi afab no sorry DD is going to Cechetti for the week but I might see you at Elmhurst JSS? Wish we had applied for YBSS now but maybe next year!

You only get the flu vaccine at your GPs if you are in the high risk category, if you want it privately then you have to go elsewhere like Asda/Boots etc and it is usually under £10. Your own GP will not be able to provide it privately for you as it is against their contract to charge their own patients for the flu jab. You can go to another GP surgery however and pay privately. They are looking at giving all school children the flu vaccine whether they are high risk or not. They do this in many countries as children are often the spreaders of the virus! They haven't worked out the logistics yet so it won't be happening this year but if my DD was at risk I would def. make her have the jab. All schools must give children the HPV as part of the national contract. If your child decides to opt out during the year they are meant to have it they risk having to have it done at a later stage in their teens but done privately. It costs about £85/£95 per jab and they must have 3. Most private organisations charge about £400/£550. A small jab in the arm is far less painful than a day en pointe and is free during that year at school - a total no brainer! Sorry to bore you all!

I used witch hazel and surgical spirits when I was little. If you are dancing all day I would use tape though around the toes.

Yes it is the 5th to the 7th I think. My DD loves Olivia Pickford. Also try Opes SS in Nottingham run by Shannon and Peter Parker it is both day and residential. We wish we knew about this one before we committed elsewhere. It also has Olivia Pickford and Errol Pickford teaching. I think it is the 12th - 16th August?

In all the audition forms for the vocational schools they ask for height of mum/dad. Tamara Rojo is just under 5'3 so based on our vocational school's vetting process would she have got in or been processed out. At RAD associates there are a lot of very very little girls in my DD's group who are feisty and very talented. My DD always comments on the fact that they are always full of energy but keep getting told off for talking.

Elliepops I agree I always have my favorites and they are usually never the girls on the front. I always find them stiff as a board! The age range 9 - 11 can be a very wobbly age where many girls go off and do different things due to the discipline of ballet. Anything that can make them feel special and interested is a winner for me.

I think we will surprise DD and get her a hoodie but it would be nice to know what they look like!