Sheila Beelam

Alexandra is number 116, hopefully that will help us spot her! Sx

I understand that Alexandra Oliff is competing from the UK - can't wait to see her dance!

Thanks for posting Ellie! I've put this on our FB page - lovely opportunity to work in a gorgeous setting!

Looks like a balletco reunion! Lovely to see familiar and new names - glad to hear Charlie still has passion, she's certainly got talent! X

Just googled it.....guess I'm still a dancer at heart - look what I automatically typed into google... trigger pointe therapy

Thanks Harwel, will do. I had lots of physio following my op but I think it just aggravated my recovery, possibly triggering the frozen shoulder. However, I'm not defrosting as quickly as I'd like, so I'll certainly look into it, thank you

It's in Wisbech Sarah, North East Cambridgeshire - right on the border with Norfolk and Lincolnshire x

Hi all I'm afraid I'm one of the members who only really looks at Doing Dance and for the past year I've not been dancing and so have not been around the forum, but after a chance call from one of the members today, I realised how much I missed you all! I've got a frozen shoulder, as a result of a minor shoulder op and so had been unable to take class for what seemed like forever. I had to miss taking my Adv 1 exam in the last sitting for the old RAD syllabus, and quite frankly was rather fed up with my failing old bones But, after a year of moving to another part of the country and setting up a second ballet shop, I was lucky enough to have an RAD class open at the end of my road - the only adult classes they did were beginners and Adv 1 (new syllabus) Well, I took that as a sign and dragged my leotard out of the back of my wardrobe and sloped off to beginners class. My left arm could reach 90 degrees to the front and side, at this point, so I was feeling flexible compared to the last year - no movement to the back though! Having been with my previous dance teacher for 20 years, it was strange taking class with a different teacher and strange also not being able to put my arms in 5th! I muddled through and eventually tackled the Adv 1 class and although I am still lop-sided, I am definitely "defrosting" and a loving being back at ballet again! Yes, it's frustrating, but I know I will fully recover eventually, and this is just a hobby for me, not my livelihood! It makes me appreciate how fragile a dancer's body and career is. Look after yourselves!!! Sx

Hi everyone, Sorry I've not been around for a while - but thought I'd chip in. It is very frustrating when schools limit students to a particular brand. I'm not speaking from a business point of view, but as a fitter. One shoe certainly does not fit all. Even with a wide choice of styles within certain brands, there is not always a shoe suitable for the dancer. We are not talking about normal shoes, these are a dancer's main tool, second to their body. They have to work for that particular foot. As the dancer grows older and changes, her shoe requirements will change too. No dancer will have the same style of shoe from their first pair of pointe shoes to the end of their career. The process of finding the perfect shoe for the dancer's requirements at any given time, are not taken lightly by the serious dancer, parents or fitter. To reach the ideal shoe and then be told they are the wrong brand is crazy. Rant over Sx PS we stock Merlet Adagio as well as DIva, but the vamp will be too long for taxi4ballet's DD. But I'm on the case, to see what I can sort out!

Brilliant news! Thank you for all your hard work, so much appreciated by so many. I don't get much time to get on here now and am not dancing at the moment through injury, but always recommend the forum to teens and parents in our shop! Sxxx

Brilliant news SP!!! Hard work and dedication does pay off well done honey xxx

Wonderful news! Grade 7 wasn't favourite RAD grade and my highest mark ever, I peaked at about 42yrs old lol

We love the Tendu Advanced pads which are like the BH pro pads - gel on too and fabric underneath do you can still feel the floor and feet get less sweaty too as they can breathe. £14.99 in small or large.

I've now matched SBC with her purchases lol these names confuse me, but that's easily done Look forward to seeing you again Anna Sx

Thank you so much SBS and Katymac! I'm not sure which customer you are SBS due to Balletco names but glad to hear we could help! We had such a lovely day in the shop yesterday, one of the students from enb school had come in to model some of our creations and then an ex-ENB dancer came down from London trying on Leo's and tutus so we had ballerinas walking around the shop in tutus and coppelia playing in the background! My idea of heaven! There's a photo of the girls on our FB page for those interested Sx

Shocking behaviour Your DD should hold her head high and jete off to the Hammond she's earned her place through hard work and talent x

Hilarious Petalviolet when you analyse it the way you do, it sounds strange....Did you know you can often see dancers wearing shawls as skirts too....off to crochet some for our shop!!

Several brands offer the option to customise shoes, but I would suggest if you're not 100% confident in what adjustments you need, that you visit a fitter with your teacher. She knows your feet well and can work with the fitter to discuss any adjustments with you. Beware that just a couple of mm change in vamp, wings, heel height etc can make a big difference to the feel of the shoe. Make sure you try on at least 10 different styles before you rule out an off the shelf pair, there are lots out there! Sx

Donated and worth every penny! Dipping into the forum is like popping out for a coffee with a group of friends! Bonus is they all understand the dance world Sxxx

That sounds unreasonable!!! If you'd like to message me the style and size I can see what the best price is we can get for you - or come and try our Russian Pointe shoes or Merlet? Sx

Done would be interesting to hear of any common issues Sx

Thinking of you all do let off steam here, amongst friends, that's what friends are for Sx

GM do have two types of pink (we have them in shop not both on site at the moment) one is indeed peachy and the other light pink. I've never seen anything other than "pink" tights for ballet - I dance with a lady from Africa and she has worn pink for the 20 yrs I've known her and never thought anything of it! X

My non DD is a keen cook and athlete. Her favourite is finely diced veggies eg leeks, peppers, onions, broccoli and kale. Cooked in a pan with a dash of sesame oil and an egg broken over to bind together. It's great for using left overs - last night she added diced roast pork, sometimes lardons, tuna etc Quick and easy!

Great news xxx