Ellie

Please do when you have time Alison. Thank you !

Thank you very much Dave !

I have booked tickets for the Ballet Cymru triple bill at the Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler's Wells in November. I'm not familiar with the area and wondered if anyone could suggest somewhere decent, but not too pricey to eat before or after the performance. Also, I'll be staying in Bermondsey, any tips regarding public transport would be welcome. Thank you !

Does anybody here know if Bolle usually goes to the stage door ? One of my little ballet students has a lovely surprise in store for him on Saturday (he has no idea that he's going to watch Manon at the ROH) They are travelling a long way and his mum told me that he'd love to wait and see the dancers after the performance.

Regarding Sarah Lamb...I have always admired her as a beautiful dancer and actress. The clincher for me was seeing her Juliet at the cinema screening. The scene where she is sitting on the bed before deciding to take the potion was incredible. Her face and eyes said it all.

European School of Ballet has a Winter Course https://schoolofballet.eu/esb-winter-school/application-and-fees/

I never normally partake in these discussions. I have no idea what ratio of home grown artists versus foreign ones are employed in the UK, Germany, US etc, nor do I care. The Royal Ballet Upper School has long been seen as the best bet for getting into the RB, BRB (Sadlers Wells in my time) But for years graduate dancers have done the tour of Germany, which used to and still does, have many more state funded opera houses than the UK. Others joined smaller touring companies and later, with more experience under their belts went on to dance with Northern Ballet, Cullberg etc Now, with the advent of the internet and budget flights of course the ballet world has become smaller. I'd never heard of many European schools 30 years ago, let alone found the opportunity to fly to different countries and audition. Ballet is international. For all those students at RB, ENB, Elmhurst etc who don't get a contract with the associated companies, well maybe 20 years ago, that might have seemed 'end of story'....Now they can audition all over the place. Look further afield to Eastern Europe for example, there are plenty of British trained dancers employed. Please lets not enter into an unnecessary discussion about who is better, and why. Every company has it's merits, as does every dancer. And lets not forget that the vast majority of extremely talented dancers may not have the opportunity to dance for the 'Big' houses. Ballet is International, but in terms of physique, luck, being in the right place at the right time, having the 'right look for the contract the company needs to fill, it is, as so many other professions, elitist........I have no idea about football.

Such sad news. My sincere condolences.

I have no experience of either schools, but depending on your daughter's age, I must say that the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (as mentioned by taxi4ballet) seems to be a good bet regarding teaching faculty and graduate employment. Good luck !

Lauren Cutherbertson and Alexander Jones also dance this piece very well

Carlos Acosta ! http://www.balletnews.co.uk/carlos-acosta-cbe-appointed-as-the-new-director-of-birmingham-royal-ballet/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork&fbclid=IwAR3HbLMrNIlgjNCKzHvtYYJ74GsyBdibh6z1fcE45zn1WVdWOoho4IswH9A

Thank you ! Happy New Year. x

Have a look at The Brussels International Ballet School. x https://www.brusselsintballet.org/summer-program-2018 I think that they also have a FB page.

Have you tried Primark ? I bought a couple of pairs from there a few years ago. Good Luck !

https://www.dancemagazine.com/wayne-mcgregor-andy-blankenbuehler-cats-2621549590.html?utm_campaign=RebelMouse&socialux=facebook&share_id=4198507&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Dance+Magazine&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2KyEIa_KDpuclrki7J95xIjJCKzCQbMZsiYVLg1q2kZrYeIHjSqBzB4Uw

Another vote for Grishko. And once you know the correct size ordering from their website is relatively cheap and easy, but be prepared to order about a month (in my experience) before you need them.

Of course (Horses for courses) I just thought that it was important for the parents of dancing Dc's to know that, if suitable, there exist quite a few excellent options beyond the Uk which may be worth looking into. X

I know that this has been mentioned before and although the discussion didn't involve 'A Levels' and as such not entirely relevant to this particular thread, looking at the eye watering fees which are probably out of the reach of many, I'd quietly remind parents of DC's that there are excellent schools in Europe (I'm talking classical and contemp - can't comment about MT) which if you feel are suited to your child are well worth looking at.

https://www.pointemagazine.com/miko-fogarty-2596545660.html?utm_campaign=RebelMouse&socialux=facebook&share_id=3866954&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Pointe&utm_source=facebook

If you have a look at the sites of Princess Grace Academy, Hamburg Ballet School, Cranko, Zurich...and so on...You'll probably find that many of the graduates are not native to the country.

All the Best Lisa. x

I think that pirouette technique is very subjective, there really isn't a one fits all solution. Sometimes the more you analyse the worse it is. (Pull up/press down, arms like this, arms like that etc...) Maybe she needs to just try turning without any 'technical' stress' and see how it goes. Obviously weight over the supporting leg on preparation, secure arms and back, a good passe position and a relaxed neck so that she can spot well will help. Have you looked at any Finis Jhung videos ? X

How old is he, what level is he at and what sort of holiday would you like ?! (City/beach ?) x

I think that we're going a bit off topic, but just to add to the comments made by balletbean, moneypenny and hfbrew...I feel that it's very important for the parents of DC to be aware of the money/heartache/persistence involved when it comes to auditioning for contracts. Unless you are one of the very talented and lucky few who are handpicked by AD's to join a particular company straight out of school, the struggle to be accepted for an audition, not get cut after class, be invited to learn rep and pdd is very real ! And don't forget that the graduates who are accepted to audition are most likely to be 'up against' dancers who have already been dancing professionally for a couple of years and wish to change company/country for whatever reason. x

Ballet Rosa do floral leos, but not sure about skirts. x http://www.balletrosa.com/models?filterby=category&category=20#main