afab

Yes, my DD2 is one of them... and now DD3 is in drama school with prospects disappearing too... 😢

I'd say about 40 minutes. If you have any question about LSC, 2 of my daughters went there and graduated in 2019 and 2018. Don't hesitate and good luck!

I don't know if I have much to add to what has been said especially coming from teachers... What I know of CNSM is that the selection is pushed so much that classes are ridiculously small and that doesn't help making friends, being pushed in your dance nor being nurtured funnily enough. As someone said, moving to Germany might not be the answer either... That being said, CNSM is not famous for being nurturing... and she's only 14 and more or less alone... When DD1 and DD2 moved away from home to London to dance, they were 17 and 16 and it was not easy either but at least they had finished school so they spent 30something hours/week dancing which helped. Personally, I don't think the most prestigious schools are necessarily the best at nurturing a young teenager nor at helping them gain their best possible level. CNSM is very famous in France for being the school that takes in kicked out POB students, not because they are bad but often because of a growth spur, a body change or a physical weakness. CNSM students believe in their worth, even though fin reality for most the best school of the country asked them to leave so it's a second choice... hence a very particular atmosphere for the ones not coming from POB school. It often is snobbism at its best... like in most elite schools! So coming from another country, culture, school of ballet and language must indeed be very difficult... I'm sorry I can't help more except maybe suggest that if she were in a country whose language she masters, everything might be much easier for her. Let me know if I can be of more help. All the best to her!

Still lurking, logging in when I am needed like maybe now... Hope you’re well Jan...

Hi Derin’s Mom, we live in the uk now but I still have connection with ballet I France and with people at CNSM. My daughters are both professional dancers now or rather trying to be but they are not strict ballet anymore. Actually, my eldest has left the world of ballet altogether as she is a contemporary dancer but is studying to become a dance producer now. My second one is a jazz dancer but with a strong ballet and hip hop (!!) base now... And for people who followed me over the years, DD3 is now at Drama school which she started a month ago... Anyway, back to your question, how can I help?

Hello, hello, I’m here! A message did the trick! Hi everybody!

London Studio Centre has a classical stream and ex-students end up working in different ballet companies. It has funding through Student Finance.

Doesn't the Young Dancers Academy do it too? https://www.youngdancersacademy.com/

Hi, Yes, it happens regularly if not every year. When DD2 auditioned, one of them (I can't remember which one) had the final in the morning and the other in the afternoon. They are used to it and I do believe they do it on purpose. At least, if you get both, you don't have to come to London twice and for international applicants, it's actually practical albeit stressful for all... Good luck!

DD2 auditioned for Central, LSC, Rambert & RCS 2 years ago and she didn't use pointe shoes for the preliminaries, as far as she remembers.

Congratulations to your daughter, Sheila! I understand the boxes dilemma... DD1 is staying in London but moving house and DD2 doesn't seem to be able to travel without all of her possessions... so our house will be in the same state soon! 😁

What great news Ecarte! I also remember your daughter's journey. I'm happy she's doing so well and I'm going to share what she's doing with DD1 as an example! Best of continuing luck to her!

Dear Primrose, I am so terribly sorry and saddened by what happened to Oliver. There are no words... I have signed and shared the petition. Please accept my sincere condolences. xxx

Hi all, Some of you will remember me from past years of following threads, answering them and being there quite a lot... Today I want to share with you the joy of seeing DD1 graduate yesterday with a BA Hons in Theatre Dance from London Studio Centre (Middlesex University) with a specialty in Contemporary even though LSC trains them to do so much more (Ballet, Jazz, Singing, ...). She's 20, started dancing at 3 and never stopped even though she broke her foot last year and suddenly feared having to stop... But she held on through pain, tears and worries! She's now officially a professional dancer. She went on tour with the school company for the last term and is now ready to tackle the world of auditions and short-time contracts! DD2 will be graduating as a Jazz dancer from the same school next year while DD3 will be finishing secondary school. The round of Drama School auditions is awaiting her now... I wanted to share that with you but also say that even though the road was long and sometimes very hard to follow, I honestly believe that nobody in the family would regret having taken it. Not my husband having sometimes worked 2 jobs to pay for it all, not me for years of homeschooling DD1, DD2 & DD3 to allow them to dance and have a top eduction at the same time and driving them to countless classes, and definitely not DD1 who was so proud brandishing her roll yesterday clad in her gown and mortarboard (and barefooted as a "real contemporary dancer" after her fancy shoes hurt her feet!). I hope to give you hope that the dream can be attained with an amazing amount of hard work and determination. I still can answer questions, mainly about LSC because it's the school I know the best... Onwards with life as a professional dancer for my DD1 now! 🎓 💃🏻 ✈️

It's a very interesting post NaiveDad. As a mum to 2 elder DDs, I relate totally with what you said and especially with the part about body shapes that worried you so... and with the preparing early for Upper Schools too...