amum/Cathy

Well done to your dd Huddsballetmum. Maybe they'll be competing against each other then. Will have to remember to PM you near the time to arrange to say hello! Thanks for the info.

Thanks Pups_Mum. It was his first ever modern Jazz exam so he's very chuffed! Thanks mrs_norris, that's very helpful.

Ds has been nominated to go to this next February for both Jazz and Tap (grade categories). I need to buy new dancewear for next term. Does anyone know what the boys tend to wear for these competitions? He has recently shot up to nearly 6 foot, hence new dancewear desperately needed! Thanks if you can help.

My ds was the only boy in his class for years before he started RBS JAs and Hammond Associate classes. It hasn't been a problem and life is a lot easier if your children are at the same dance school, and that isn't far from home. The RAD boys only weekends were very good for having male teachers and dancing with other boys, and also EYB - well worth attending. I can't remember what age they start at - probably 8, but do check. Tap has definitely been a favourite for my ds, but I've used it as an incentive to keep the ballet going at low moments - ballet is the basic, additional dance classes can only be on top - tap, jazz, theatre dance etc. Also we upgraded his tap shoes to nice Bloch ones just as he went to secondary school, so he had something good to encourage him not to give up if he faced comments from new "friends". Hope he has a great time dancing!

Thanks Flit and float. That's very helpful. He's really very keen on Warwick so will be pleased to hear this. He's not very keen on big cities which limits what outside dance schools will be available, hence the interest in what the universities do, in particular. Warwick is tough to get into though.....

Hi Yes. Sorry if I've confused everyone by bumping an old thread but it has been incredibly helpful. Thank you everyone for the info you've posted.

Oh how lovely to see. We know one of the boys, so thank you for posting. Congratulations to them all!

Don't think he's interested in trying for Cambridge. But Durham and Warwick are probably his favourites at the moment (and maybe Oxford if he can aim just that little bit higher!) So anything about ballet in those unis. Otherwise he will probably go down the musical theatre student societies route. Just thinking about open days really.

Bump! Just wondering if anyone has any experience/knowledge of Durham University's "Ballet Company"? Ds just beginning to think about universities he might be interested in.......this is all I've been able to find; https://www.dur.ac.uk/experiencedurham/theatre/companies/duballet/

Sadly not this year (no money!). We went to Top Hat and A Chorus Line last year, and ds did the Chorus Line workshop. My experience is that you need to be logged on ready to book workshops when booking opens, as they go so quickly (especially the Billy ones - so congrats on your dd's!).

They do look very good, but outside our price range sadly. In the past we have paid £30-£50 a day for workshops and associate days, although they have been subsidised, I think.

Hi Ben, and welcome to the forum. As spannerandpony said, lots of us are EYB "parents". I'm sure I'm not the only one desperate to hear when and where you are auditioning for next year's performances. Do please post on here when you have news. Thanks!

Another one to say "try Centrepointe". Matthew Koon trained there and with Northern Ballet Associates, then he went to ENBS and now has a contract with Northern Ballet, I believe. He wasn't a late starter though.

Congratulations to your ds for getting into this Billyelliott. There is a thread about this on Notapushymum, and a least one ds on there was performing at the Lowry http://notapushymum.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20153 (I'm Hecouldshine on NAPM)

Let us know how it goes

I'm sorry to hear about this J. Hope it all works out and S manages to do it and has a good time

Yes the Empire sounds much more convenient for a repeat visit. Sorry we won't see you. Thanks for the reassurance over seats.

When are you going Janet? Pups_mum and I and our (dancing) dcs are going to the Saturday matinee. I was trying to think where in the stalls you usually recommend. Went for row L in the end.

Booking has opened at the Lowry today. Looking forward to this, in company with balletco friends

I would really like to take ds to see Inala but as they are evening performances it would need a night in Edinburgh. We usually try to do day trips to festival events due to the cost of accommodation. Does anyone know if it will tour afterwards? And where?

Just wondering when your schedule for this will be on your website? In particular whether you might run any boys' sessions?

Oooh thanks LinMM, exactly what I wanted to hear. Didn't realise there were auditions tomorrow but good luck all. I've always loved Ballet Rambert (sorry for old name, can't get over it!)so anyone wanting to study there has my approval and best wishes!

Just bumping to ask if people in the know feel there is a preferred physique for Rambert? All the video clips on their website show classical ballet type physiques amongst the girls, and I wondered if this is generally the case, or whether they do in fact accept, and reflect the wider variety of physiques you tend to see amongst the contemporary courses elsewhere? Thoughts please?........

Another one for Lynn Seymour here (replacing Darcey Bussell)

Thanks also taximom, Its her life, Katymac and LinMM. Hope you find something suitable as well for your ds Billyeliott