Janice

Last year our letter arrived on the Friday after the Sunday audition.

My DD will be doing course 4 as well. This will be her third year doing this summer school. You will have a great week, Dd has learnt lots and thoroughly enjoys her week there.

My Dd auditioned and was offered a place as a MA there but we turned it down after being put in touch with someone who's Dd was offered a place without an audition. They also wanted a years fees up front.

Ballet Taxi have sent you a pm.

What about trying the website 'pointe shoe information exchange' , sorry don't know the actual address. They also have a forum 'ballet talk for dancers' which has a pointe shoe thread of it's own , there are some very knowledgeable pointe shoe fitters on there that may be able to help.

I also use red spotted hanky to book train tickets it's the same price as going though my local train operator and no booking fee. You can use tesco clubcard vouchers towards train fares and you get loyalty points each time you book which can then be used towards the train fares aswell.

EYB have not come to the SW much my Dd danced with them in 2007 and I think I am correct in saying that they have not been in this area since. They seem to go to other places regularly so hopefully if they are happy with how it goes they may come back to Torquay again.

Devon have a youth dance company based in Exeter for 15+ years don't know anything about it but google it, also I think Plymouth theatre royal may have some sort of dance company. EYB are in Torquay soon unfortunately you have missed the auditions.

Hi we are in the south west and I am not aware of any ballet associate schemes in the area. There is a cat scheme in Exeter which is contemporary based though I believe students take a ballet class as part of the training. What county are you in? I know of a youth company that is Somerset based that has lots of performance opportunities but again it is more contemporary focused. Hope this helps.

Yes booking train tickets in advance can save you alot. Advanced tickets are typically available 12 weeks before date of travel. The only downside is that you have to travel on the train you have bought the tickets for. I use advanced tickets with a family and friends railcard which can save me as much as £40!

Have tried to reply earlier but it would not let me. Yes I did know about the travel when I let Dd audition but since then the times of the rehearsals have changed and to be fair we were given very little information as things where still being confirmed and still are.We do travel to Central on a Saturday. The rest of the family are very supportive and I only have one other child a son who is older and I hardly see him these days even when he is at home. There is no charge for the company and the travel fares would be covered by the savings from petrol and activities that would have normally been spent. I know being part of the company would make no difference when applying to schools at 16, but the possible experiences may be something for DD to look back on in the future no mater what else happens. I understand the first performance for the company will be with Wayne Mcgregors Random Dance company in Trafalgar square! Not something that would be on offer here were we live. School are very supportive and understanding. I guess my main concern is the toll on her that squashing the travel in a weekday evening my have, but I guess the only way to find out is to give it a try. But then we would have the concern of letting people down if either of us can't cope. I have bought both of the up to understand that committing to something fully is important. Thanks for all your replies it is great to be able to get advice from people who understand. Lots of food for thought over the weekend.

Hi meant to add Waterloo to covent garden is walkable .

Getting an oystercard is the cheapest way to travel and allows children to travel for free on buses it does cost, but I reckon I have already saved the cost from not having to pay the bus fare. The tube is quicker but we mostly travel by bus now. The bus will have a little screen telling you what stop is next so all you need to know is the name of your stop and when it comes up on the screen press the button for the bus to stop. My DD and I travel to Central every saturday so if I can help in anyway please let me know.

Hi all my Dd have been offered a place in the new ENB youth dance company. Have been going mad trying to make a decision on letting her do it, so could do with some perspective from people who understand. Dd really wants to do it but rehearsals are Thursday evenings and I would have to takeher out of school early to get her there. Phoned school and they are more than happy to let go early, she will not miss anything important. We will have to go by train timing is tight but doable and it will not be to late getting home unless we miss the train. But the journey one way is 2 1/2 hours, the class is 2 hours. I am going from thinking I am completely mad to consider it to thinking about the opportunities it may bring for Dd. I feel I am going to go mad trying to decide what to do for the best.

Loulabelle- I totally appreciate how much time and work it takes to make a tutu, I have made a couple for my DD. They have taken many hours and a lot of stress. I wish I had more time to sew as no matter the stress and saying I would never do that again it is addictive. Unfortunately life has got in the way.

That's is about what I what looking to spend. I had seen some on the Internet for £300+ and that would have been out of the question.

What is a reasonable price? I know making a tutu is a lot of work but I have no idea of the cost involved.

Any tutu makers in the Somerset/south west area? I need a tutu for the end of June would this be to short notice? I have never ordered a made to measure tutu before and I have no idea much in advance it would need to be ordered. Thanks

Not everyone got a place a friend had a no letter saying that they were oversubscribed and a form to register interest for next year.

2dancersmum- thank you for that info my dd has central at the top of her list for next year and I was beginning to think that even with the loan etc it would not be possible for her. You have made me feel better. I know about leaving with a big debt but I was not to worried about that as you said it is unlikely that she will pay all of it back if any.

Just checked and link dies not work. Do not know how to correct this, but do google it.

I think I read it in the dancing times. Have had a quick search on the web and could not find any new info. But there was plans for a whole new building and accommodation for central. This link is for the plans if it works if not google central and new building www.e- .co.uk/.../central_school_ ...

What is Tring like on a Sunday? Does public transport run. Dd would like go to one of Trings days of dance. We will have to travel to Tring by train.

I did read some time ago now that Central are having a brand new building. If I remember correctly it is being built in the southwark area of London and will include student accommodation on site, which really appealed to me. I thought it was due to be ready this year but I have not heard any more about it.

Hi, do you mean centrals associate course on a Saturday? My Dd is in prep 3 she auditioned last year and started last September she is in year 10. I do not know if the audition for all ages/levels are the same, bit DD said her audition was a simple ballet class. A teacher took the class and demonstrated the exercises,there was also two more people watching. Dd says not to be afraid to speak up if your DD does not understand anything as dd asked a question about something and the teacher was lovely and really explained the exercise to her. Dd loves the classes we have to travel 2 1/2 hours each way and alot of people thing we are mad for doing so, but there has been a big improvement in her technique since she has been there. Edited for spelling