pas de chat

Well done Angel such great news for her and after a tough start to the new year Onwards and upwards!

You'll be surprised I hope. Hammond have this knack of seeing things that others don't!

The school have always engaged well with parents, but I think on finals day they like to gather the children together a quick as possible to limit the nerves.

Have these gone yet Kat09?many thanks pas de chat

The teaching at Hammond is excellent, so best of luck to him. They often take children in for all years if they like them and their bursaries are very generous if you are not given a MDS. They will look for performance and like 'all rounders' but it is still a classical course and they do a lot of ballet. My DD was recently at Malvern Ballet Seminars and there were children from all the big schools, some privately coached and some from abroad. The standard was super high but the Hammond children definitely held their own and some.

It has been a wonderful week, the teaching has been amazing. I don't think I've seen such a high standard of dancers either. It is almost as if they are feeding off each others passion. Hopefully the first of many MBS Easter Schools

My DD has been going to Easter and Summer Schools since she was 8 and likes the mixture of vocational and non vocational. When it comes down to it they are all children who love dance and often get on better with those they go to school with as they have so much in common.

Was he a frog? They were fabulous!

Did anyone else go to Midland Theatre Ballet's production of Cinderella last week. We went to the Gala in Birmingham on Saturday it was just stunning. DD wished she could still be part of it but sadly her school have a strict rule about outside of school activities. We noticed David Bintley in the audience!

Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery Swayback. I'm sort of affiliated in that I love love love the Pickfords! The most amazing insightful dance teachers, so lucky to have found them two years ago at Midland Theatre Ballet.

We are off to Malvern Ballet Seminars - DD can't wait plus we can watch!!

There are so many stories where children have gone to Hammond, Tring, Elmhurst, YDA, Kate Siimmons etc or remained at home for lower school and have gone onto some amazing dance careers in some of the world's best ballet companies. WL is a fantastic achievement but maybe at the age of 10 your child may not be just what they are looking. Children change so much from 10 - 16 years.

Love'd it thank you

Pictures is right we all have different reasons why we do and don't do things. WL although the pinnacle for many maybe isn't necessary the best or the right place for all our DDs. I do understand the parents comments though it is a desperate time hoping your little DD will get spotted. Fingers crossed for you all and remember that there is always next year!

The exams at Hammond are RAD and ISTD. In addition to this you may also be taught different styles of training depending on your teacher. Some teachers follow Royal some like Russian etc

The girls were very lovely, some of the boys struggled I thought! I thought the standard was higher last year. I still wonder why the UK don't shine in this competition, is it the clash of GCSE and A levels? I don't believe all our best are already at ENBS and RBS!

The last Russian girl was very good and also the girl from the US. I missed both of ours which was a shame, hopefully I can watch it later on catch up.

Anna du Boisson takes children who are 12, grade 5 plus usually but that is about it. DD went twice and the class is good but tough. Often some of her students go there from YDA but they are a good level. The class is also crowded but DD really enjoyed it

Goya Montero (?) isn't he amazing! I saw our girl 116 in the classical ballet class, think she was in purple. I like the little girl in the beige/skin colour leotard the best!

I didn't much like the boys contemporary class either. Todays's streaming was better although the introduction of the jury was uncomfortable watching! I agree 314 did stand out and also two girls today in the contemporary class.

So is mine

Mine is going week 1 as well.

I caught the last 15 minutes. I'm sure I can see the whole thing on tube tomorrow but was looking forwards to it today. The girls I did see were all very good although some more watchable than others. They must be so nervous, I dread to think how their mother's feel!

Opes is a wonderful Summer School it will be my DD's 3rd time and she is counting down the days! My DD was in a room of 6 I think and found everyone to be very friendly. I think the age in room was a mix of her own age and one year older and one year younger. The older ones look after the younger ones - doing their buns etc. The much older ones were in smaller rooms but all were lovely to the younger ones helping them with their dance etc. It always seems like one big family and the standard is quite high. I think my DD termed it as they push you to be your best but not to breaking point. I would agree York (Yorkshire) is a lovely city and lots to do. If you have a car you could visit other beautiful places like Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay on the coast and Harrogate inland. Leeds City is great for shopping as well. Your daughter may prefer not to miss out having the London experience afterwards!

BTW everyone just found out you have to go through google chrome - now working!