Jaylou62

Hi,

My elder dd used to do ballet from the age of 4 to 8. We know now that she is dyspraxic and struggled with ballet. She decided to try tap and modern and did this up until the age of 11. She went to an Independent school (her choice) and as we couldn't afford school fees and dance classes, she stopped. Her school later became an academy and so we no longer had to pay school fees. She started having singing lessons and then a part time Musical Theatre school. She then decided that she would like to try for Musical Theatre schools at 18. As she hasn't done any dance classes for a while apart from a bit while doing her Musical Theatre school she started dance classes last January aged 16. Our local dance school has adult classes and she started an adult beginner class (ballet), beginner tap class and Intermediate jazz class. She now does 3 ballet classes a week, 1 tap and 2 jazz classes a week. She is taking her Grade 8 singing exam at Easter.

She would recommend adult classes as she finds adults work hard, listen closely and as the classes are longer she finds she learns more (plus she feels more grown up). Although the classes are beginner, they do bits of different grades as they don't follow a syllabus. Currently, she is working at building the strength in her feet in readiness for pointe work. Other dancers at my dd's dance school have also recommended adult classes for teenagers who haven't had dance classes, rather than starting with young children (that is just their opinion though).

Hth.

Hi Katymac

My dd's the same age as yours and also thinking ahead. She's planning on auditioning at 16 for ballet schools which is what she'd love to do. If she doesn't get a place then she will go to a local dance college full time. She will get her Teacher training certificate and take as many dance classes, musical theatre and singing classes as she can (all included in the college fees except the certificate which is extra). She will then try at 18 for MT.

This is all up in the air though depending on funding and if I can find a job that's double my salary as we're over the threshold for financial help like everyone else

Does anyone know if there is any funding available to overseas students? Dd's dance teachers have suggested that she consider overseas training, but we would want to know if there is any funding first. She'll be auditioning for 2014.

We couldn't get there - all trains to Weston from Bristol were cancelled due to flooding and people had been queuing for over 2 hours for coaches:(

Probably just as well - we heard yesterday from dd's dance teacher that her school show rehearsals clash with 2 rehearsals which we didn't know when booking the audition so she wouldn't have been able to take part anyway. Hoping for Cardiff now, depending on those dates (weekends don't work around associate classes).

Good luck to everyone auditioning....I'll be there tomorrow with my dd and her friend (both auditioning in the Senior group) Xx

Hi,

I have seen the threads on auditioning and also the warnings on Upper School costs.

My dd is 14 and wants to audition for 6th form 2014. We also have 2 other children.

I've been looking at different schools and it's so hard to work out costs - not just of fees, but living costs, accommodation etc.

The schools that she wants to audition for are ENB, Elmhurst, Central, Laines and Rambert.

PMs are welcome as I know it's a tricky topic:)

Hi,

I know there have been a few threads recently about UK dancers training abroad and wondered if anyone has any information on American schools such as Kirov Ballet Academy and New York City Ballet School. Of course, any advice about other schools elsewhere would also be good

My dd's dance teachers have suggested applying for ballet schools here in the UK but to also apply for overseas. I was just wondering what the audition process is like, how old you have to be (a dance teacher told me yesterday that she'll need to be 18 as children in America don't finish High School till 18 and they won't take anyone younger than this), funding and accommodation.

Obviously we don't want to rule anything out but money obviously plays a big part in where she'll be able to go.

At the moment, dd is 14 and in Year 10 so we're looking ahead

I (or rather my dd) will see you at the Russian Youth Ballet Company as she is also starting in September

You won't be able to miss her - she's 14 and tall (5ft 7).

So glad things have worked out for you.

Done

@pointytoes22 my dd will catch the train from Temple Meads or Parkway.

Where will you travel from? Have to admit, it would be nice to have a travelling companion for her .

My dd will be auditioning for Weston-Super-Mare and will also be catching the train . She's 14.

We used lemon juice on her feet to prevent blisters when she did EYB Cardiff last summer. Definitely worked and smells nice too .