lisadebs

Hi SPD - are these tickets still available? If so, please pm me

DD was a party child in year 8 and party child/rat in year 9 (which involved some rapid costume swapping). No Nutcracker in Year 7 as it was Peter and the Wolf/Beatrix Potter. It really is a magical experience to be part of - although logistically it can get tricky! Crazily DD is off to Upper School in Sept - does anybody know if first year girls in Upper School are used? What year are the 'shuffling angels' as we always liked to call them ?

Spanner - this implies the thread should be locked, is this going to happen? As another year 11 parent I am unhappy with the nature of this discussion - I don't mind the school being discussed, or its policies examined, but please don't discuss the year group.

Hi sarahw I can't confirm or deny it but speaking from our experience over the last 5 years at WL our dd has never come home every weekend. We live a fair distance from the school and it just wouldn't have been practical or financially possible. DD's staying at school has never been mentioned as problematic and there are a number of others who stay too - maybe a question to ask them at the auditions?

Hi again SP - just seen that they do a dance degree at Coventry Uni (looking at website as middle dd wants to study photography there) am guessing Coventry Uni is not too far from you? Might be worth going to an open day?

Sorry - not sure why the text jumped about like that Just a word on MT courses - have a think about how much commercial dance you want to be doing and also about the type of drama you really enjoy. Eldest dd's course really favoured those who were strong at commercial jazz (think X factor dancers etc) and tbh there was very little drama taught (and what was taught definitely had an MT 'look' to it). Again - there are lots of courses out there and they will all vary - enjoy looking around at all the options, you've still got plenty of time. Have fun doing some research and all the best with your decisions

Hi Swan Princess - Have you ever thought about doing a degree in dance at University? That way you could put your passion for ballet and knowledge of the dance world to excellent use and you still get the opportunity to dance - as you would be able to train, choreograph and perform. There may even be the option of working collaboratively with a drama department Maybe have a look at Surrey University or Roehampton - a quick google should give you a number of options. Just a thought - and looking at what else is out there is always interesting

Hi Sugar Plum 64 - just wondering if these are still available?

It does sound like an exciting event, but lots of young dancers will be disappointed by the lack of YBDY next year. Especially those who missed out last year by being just that bit young...

Hi grumpybearzuk, try not to worry too much. It may seem reading through this thread that bullying is a common occurrence at vocational school and I know it does happen, but its not something we have experienced. We have a dd who is naturally quieter and more reserved than some and we certainly never expected her to be boarding from such a young age, but she has coped very well. Quieter children can sometimes turn out to be more resilient than those who are always at the centre of the social groups

Bit of a plug for a favourite singer/songwriter of mine - Freewheel by Duke Special - well worth a listen to on youtube, really beautiful lyrics, stick with it for the very uplifting section in the middle

Happymum - so sorry that it was a no for your little dd, perhaps they just felt she was a little on the young side this year. The experience won't have been wasted, next year she will know what to expect and go in with all guns blazing . It is an increasingly popular course and competition is very fierce - she did brilliantly to take part in a class of older girls, I am always amazed at how brave our young dancers are in pursuing what they love to do.

Not annoyed about BMI Swanprincess - just concerned, as I know how quickly young dancers make comparisons and was worried that some of these comparisons might be unhelpful. All the very best for your audition - we will all be cheering you on from the virtual sidelines

Dear Swanprincess, I really feel for you and hope too that you make a continued recovery, I can imagine how the stress of this year is putting added pressure on you, but please believe that a healthy dancing body is your main goal. Just want to reiterate how important it is to fuel your body well and not to focus on a specific weight. I know this is easier said than done... at WL they talk a lot about the need to 'fuel the machine' as this fuelling will give you the vitality to let your personality and love of dance shine through. As an aside - I am feeling a little uncomfortable with all this talk of BMI and specifically with dancers BMI numbers being given out. Can't help wondering if other young dancers will be reading this and making direct and maybe unhelpful comparisons. A body is not a number - it is a moving, communicating, energy driven gift. Tamara Rojo has written very powerfully about the need for ballet dancers to be strong and vital artists and athletes - I do hope all our young dancers are encouraged to focus on this in their training. Sending you very best wishes Swanprincess and thank you for sharing so honestly.

Fantastic news angel! So pleased for her

Thanks Millie3 - that is helpful to know Interested Parent - its about a 20 minute walk from the station - we used to walk that way when youngest dd went to JA's at Yorkshire Dance Centre which is nearby. There is also a taxi rank opposite the station - if you were worried about walking in the wrong direction (I know I would be). Somebody else should be able to fill you in re waiting areas/café at Northern Ballet - as we have not done classes there. However Leeds town centre is 5 mins away and there are loads of shops including the new Trinity Centre so plenty of browsing/ coffee opportunities. Good luck to your DD for Sunday

Perfect sense! Thanks for taking the to report back. Whilst I can see why they only have one form for all their programmes, it does lead to confusion! Am I right in thinking that if you are in full time ballet training you only need to apply with photos? If anybody can clarify this I would be grateful.

That really is confusing! Would you mind reporting back after you have phoned them?

Hi there Interested Parent Am a bit confused now as I read on the website that the International Easter School was photo application only and the audition was for the Summer School? http://northernballet.com/?q=academy/training-programmes/easter-course I might well be wrong but I would phone them if I were you just to make sure

Terpsichore, she also featured in this series ' Ballet Chancers is an Irish television programme broadcast on RTÉ One in late 2008. Featuring the ballerina, Monica Loughman, it began on 16 November 2008. In the show Loughman attempts to turn six streetwise hip hop dancers into elegant ballet dancers over a period of four months. At the end of the show they may, if successful, partake in a performance of The Nutcracker with Loughman's own company, The Irish Youth Russian Ballet Company which took place in the 21 December finale.n the following documentary series' It is still on youtube if you search for 'Ballet Chancers' and at the beginning of episode one there is information on Monica's training at the Perm State Ballet School stating that she went on to dance with the company.

This made me smile - I remember watching dd's year 7 class at White Lodge and the girls were asked to place their hand on the barre as if taking the hand of their prince. I remember thinking it was a lovely analogy. On the rare occasions when we have watched class since I am constantly amazed by the real precision tuning that goes on at the barre. It is never about how high a leg can go, but how it gets there, not about how long you can balance, but how your body and mind is maintaining that balance. The pupils are certainly encouraged to be thinking dancers whilst respecting a tradition that links them back to generations of dancers before. I am not saying this in anyway to fuel debate - the comment just reminded me of how much I enjoy watching barre work, the exercises are a bit like beautifully executed 'pre-flight checks' that enable them to 'take off' when they get to the centre

Just wanted to add our very best wishes to everybody going through the appraisal process. I remember how stressful it was this time last year and how very supportive and helpful people were . We were lucky and DD moved into year 10, but had that not been the case it was great to know that there were people out there who would have been happy to listen and advise. Good luck everyone - I do think these are the worst letters/results to wait for (although next year if and when DD auditions for upper schools I might change my mind!)

Frangipani so pleased to hear this definitely well deserved, good luck with the rest of the auditions/letters, what a nice way to start!!

There is a Premier Inn in Denton which is about 10 mins walk/ 5 mins drive away from Centrepoint. This is where we (and many others) stayed when DD was auditioning for WL. Not sure what the prices are like, but it might be worth checking out. Hope this helps

Hi sleep123, wish I could be more help but the tough fact is that there is no way of predicting or generalising numbers of pupils who get assessed out. Some year groups seem to go through pretty much intact whilst others can lose quite a few. Bottom line is - if the school no longer thinks their training is suitable for a child they will assess them out. Yes - this does put a strain on all those involved - wondering whether it will be your child leaving and dealing with the emotional fallout of close friends moving away. It is a fact of vocational life whether we like it or not. However if your dd is really keen maybe let her audition and see where you go from there. Our youngest dd is now in year 10 at vocational school and despite the stresses and the undeniable rollercoaster of life at ballet school it has been a really positive experience for her. Good luck with your decision making