Ellie

Congratulations ! Once again I wish him all the very best for the next step in his journey. X

JohnS I am very sorry to hear of your unexpected, tragic loss.

Fantastic news ! xx

Josephine in answer to your question regarding biographies of Rambert. I have read this one. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Mim-personal-memoir-Marie-Rambert-Brigitte-Kelly/1852731273

Truly heartbreaking and horrific......

Oh Lisa, that's horrible. I do hope that she comes back home. My thoughts are with you. xxx

Congratulations ! I don't personally know the school, but I know that it's rated very highly. In the 1st year of Vaganova they usually take the children right back to basics so don't worry. x

Thank you so much Jane. I haven't had time to watch more than a few snippets, but am hoping to catch up on Sunday ! x

I honestly don't know how you had the emotional or physical energy to write such a long and lovely post after what must have been such a roallercoaster ride - albeit with a wonderful outcome. Thank you xx

And where does he want to go ? Decisions decisions !!!

WOW WOW WOW !!!! Fabulous news. Many, many Congratulations to you all. You must all be over the moon - as well as extremely relieved ! All the very best for the next stage X

I am very hesitant to comment as you are obviously still young and seeing a short video clip as a one off isn't the ideal way for one to make corrections. In fact, unless there is an underlying physical problem, from what I saw I'm sure that your teacher could help you. Kate_N has basically covered everything and explained very well. From the start of the video you seem to be trying to turn out from your knees and feet (wiggling) Turn out from the top of your legs and keep rotating downwards. Then I'd say think of lifting your tummy button up and let your tailbone fall down to the floor. Keep your shoulders over your hips. You are lifting your left hip every time you tendu devant. The leg should work independently. In tendu devant heel leads on the opening toes lead on the closing. And yes, keep your weight on the supporting leg. Engage all of those little muscles and tendons above your knee (think 'up', not 'back'). Lengthen your spine each time you open and close. Good luck and keep dancing

The SS applicants are accepted or not via photos. As such I imagine that physique, flexibility of feet/limbs and turn out play a big part in the selection. All of these physical qualities are desirable and necessary for a vocational student. But, musicality, artistry, intelligence and the will to work really hard can't be measured by photos.

What a nightmare

Can you say where ?

Poor thing...Thank you for filling me in.

What was the wardrobe malfunction ?

I believe you were a teacher LinMM - it's kind of the same thing

A few decades ago (!!!) I think that most vocational students had to wear soft blocks. Whenever we could get away with it (warm ups before rehearsals/sorry my ribbons have fallen off my shoes and I didn't have time to sew them) we'd use our flatties because they make your feet look nicer and are generally much easier to work in. I honestly am interested about the reversal in the trend, as surely for students who want to prepare for a career in ballet would ideally be doing most classes with shoes closely related to those they would potentially be performing in.

Lisa, you're entitled to have a good cry. From what I understand you're taking the responsibility of raising and looking after your son on your own. You seem to be doing a great job under stressful circumstances. Now, you are not a failure as a mother, as GTL says, he has this opportunity mostly down to you. Have faith in him, hand him a bit of the responsibility (it won't harm him) take a deep breath.....and even if he can't make the open day, but gets an offer then the internet is a wonderful tool (which we didn't have- I know you also travelled the world as a young dancer - no mobile, no internet, how did we manage ??!!) and if he decides to take up the offer he can research the uni and the area online. Big hug. XXX

I know that it's natural to worry, but I'm sure he'll be just fine. As long as he has a decent head on his shoulders, a fully charged mobile phone and money for an emergency McDonalds x

One of the schools where I teach follows the Vaganova syllabus. x

Lisa, can Sean not go on his own to keep the costs down ? We don't live in the UK and my DS went to his open days on his own as we couldn't have afforded the extra expense. Best of Luck. x

Oh I'm sorry Lisa. xxx

Thank you FLOSS and Janet.