Mariska

Would Grishko be an alternative? At least here in Germany they cost less than Bloch. Also, they are the preferred ones for many vocational ballet schools here in Germany.

My DS uses one of these excersice (resistance) band (Theraband), which his teacher much more recommends than a foot stretcher. His ballet class (year 6) was intrigued by the arch of one of the older boys in year 11, where they were allowed to watch one of the lessons, as their lesson was cancelled, and he showed them how he used the Ttheraband to do it. They spoke to their teacher and he recommended it too. They use the blue band, which strength wise is one below green, which has the strongest resistance.

Our DS started at the State Ballet School in Berlin in January of this, as it as his greatest wish. He was only nine at the time, but adement that he wanted to go and fully aware that he would be away form home, only a two-weekly visit by us possible, as it is about a 5-6 hour drive from where we live (depemding upon traffic, which is generally bad), but he insisted this is what he wants to do. Hence we let him go and the first two weeks were difficult for all of us, his older sister included. The only communication we had was via whatsapp and it never went beyond "yes", no" fine. We agreed every day to call, at a time specified by him and shortly before that time he would send a message asking not to call. However, after the first two weeks were over, all was fine and the messages had more content and we spoke on the phone at least once a day. he has been home for the summer break just now and I was dreading him going back and the same procedure starting again, but all was and is fine. The main thing to consider in all of this are how the children, and surely if we know that they are happy, we are a lot happier too:)

Our DS started at the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin this January (he was only 9, but already in year 5, which is why they wanted him to start as soon as possible, when he auditioned in November), as a boarder, and is loving it. They have very small academic classes (his class comprises 15 students) as well as small dance classes. At least 25% of the students comes from abroad. In his class are children (all aged between 10-12) from Japan, Italy, Bulgaria, Argentina, France and Russia. For him it has been a dream come true, as he has always been very clear that this is the route he wants to go, despite being so young. Both the school building and the boarding house are excellent and very welcoming and the staff are great too. They have a special programme to get to grips with the German language for children from abroad, who have two years to reach an academic level whereby they can do normal class work and assessments. The school has a close cooperation with the Berlin State Ballet and often pupils are selected to participate in their performances, such as the Nutcracker.

Thanks! hfbrew: He is thoroughly enjoying it and he is responsible for the many number of hours he dances (mainly ballet, but also modern, hiphop and tap), and yes he is extremely flexible (physically and mentally:)).

As our ds has set his mind on going to one of the vocational dance schools in the UK (we will also be looking at the one in Berlin, as we live in Germany, but he would rather go to the UK - he goes to an English international school at the moment), I was just wondering how he can best prepare for the auditions? He already has close to 13 hours dance training per week, the majority of that classical ballet. He is now in year 5, so it will get serious next school year. Any suggestions, tips etc will be most gratefully received:)

Very inspiring and comforting to read too, as our son is just the same. He is now nine and already knew when he was seven that he wants to become a professional dancer and is doing everything he can to achieve this, including up to 13 hours dance practice a week, hardly ever having the time to meet up with friends, having to refuse birthday invites because of rehearsals, etc. I will show him this article too, just so he knows there are morer boys out there just like him. Thanksfully, as he has been dancing since the age of three, all his friends accept and respect him for it, they have (so far) never mentioned a negative word. Let’s hope it will stay this way and that he can fulfil his dream….

When your ds biggest birthday present wish is a wall-attached ballet barre in his room (9)

We are in Cologne. I think it's one because of the academic school system (he goes to the english school here in Cologne) and because his ballet teacher, when he started at the age of three, is English. He is at the ballet academy in Cologne at the moment, but it is not integrated with his school, which means he misses some (academic) lessons a few times a week, and the day is a lot longer because of the distances that need to be driven between school, academy and home. He came up with the idea, as he believes (and I think he is right, gong by the initial correspondence with the schools in UK) that academic and dance is more integrated with each other. I looked at some places in Germany, but as far as I could find out, none have an integrated academic/dance school. Even if they are boarding schools, the dancing facilities and the grammar schools are not in one place and the grammar school is not exclusively for the dance pupils.

Thanks to all so far!! 2dancersmum: Yes, of course he will audition with all four Spannerandpony: Thanks for the threads Billyelliott: We are aware of the guardian requirement, which is a requirement with all boarding schools for foreign pupils, and a good friend of ours in London will kindly fulfil this role, even though for holidays and long weekends our son would come home Spax: Thanks for the advice re host families. I have also written to YDA, as they make a nice impression.

I would like to ask for advice regarding choosing a vocational school our son, who is a talented young ballet dancer (from Germany but going to an English school, hencce language no problem) and who has set his mind on going to a vocational dance school from year 7 onwards in the UK. We will be looking at the schools in October, and he will most likely audition forall four (these are the ones known to us; RBS, Elmhurst Tring, Hammond). However, it would be really good to get some helpful input/feedback from parents who have (had) children at those schools. I have also read about the YDA, but am hesitant, as there seem to be no boarding facilities and we as both our jobs are in germany and our daugther goes to school there too, it would mean having to uproot the entire family, which is not really an option.