Belljul

Might be wrong but I think Manchester Royal Ballet JAs are on a Sunday. Good luck finding something that works.

What an emotional thread! And such support from everyone. It is wonderful to see how many folk tried to help and support you and your girls. This forum is not just for ballet is it? I will add my best wishes for a strong recovery for your daughter regatta. I can't even begin to imagine the stress you have been under. I am sure your other daughter will have coped all the better for having her dancing to propel her along. Lots of love coming your way xxx

Yes, I am really keen to see the photos too, even though my son has been poorly and probably not in any of the photos! It would be lovely to see familiar faces. I will check the website now....

Ok thank you Moneypenny.

Anyone tell me if the parents are able to watch classes on the last day of the summer school please. I have checked tbe website and cant see aanything. Thanks.

Hi enpoint75. My DS is on vodaphone and it's not great but he manages. We seem to have more luck with that than with orange. 

Oh really enjoyed reading that thread again. Fabulous!!

Really pleased to hear this positive outcome celb! Hurrah!!

Thanks Julie. I'm excited to see that Steven McRae will be book signing. That's a bonus! Might ditch watching my DS in order to queue for a book and a chat. Kidding (almost)!!

Lovely workshop! If I did dance, this is what I would want to be doing. Some really lovely dancers and everyone having such a positive experience.

edited to make more sense

Lovely to see this again Nanalily. Fond memories of a great time at Elmhurst.

Yes, what a pain it is that the auditions in London are on bank holiday weekend! The only long weekend home from school so we decided that DS is going to audition in York in a few weeks time. First time he has applied to YBSS. Only ever heard good things. Good luck to those at the scholarship auditions this weekend. Leave some for those trying in York

Good luck to your DS squeaky! The audition is good fun, quite low key with a strong slant on body facility. Let us know how it goes.

Oh how exciting for you all, and for your boys. My middle son really wanted to go for this in Glasgow but as his Dance School show falls the same week there was no way he could manage it and was not given permission. Fair enough, but what a missed opportunity! Hats off to Matthew Bourne for involving young talented boys and increasing awareness and experience of dance. Enjoy every minute! 

Loving all these stories. I remember a funny incident at the end of our local dance school show when the dance principal was saying thank you to the audience. A little three year old had just come off stage, and realising the show had ended she stripped off her costume in the wings and ran onto the stage stark naked to hand her tutu back to her teacher! I ran on behind her and whisked her off again but not before the audience fell about laughing! So funny and sweet.

Sorry to hear of the health issues for your daughter Regattah. Wishing her all the strength in the world. And you too. I hope she is able to dance again soon, even in a lesser capacity, and they certainly sent the right paramedic to keep you chatting on the way to the hospital! xx

Yes, Scott was at the Dance School of Scotland until end year 9 I think. The boys were all superb and we were not surprised that they took all the prizes this year. The girls were lovely but no-one really stood out for the judges. My son danced his solos well but no mention for him this year. I was just so relieved he didn't fall over ha! He truly didn't mind at all as he was just so happy to be part of things. He was delighted to be dancing alongside all the boys in the year above whom he looks up to so much. My favourite was Nicholas Landon who came in second. What a talented dancer! Elmhurst and ENB were also fabulous in the interval. All in all a very special night to be part of. Also a treat to meet up with other balletco friends :-) 

It was indeed a wonderful evening with very worthy winners. Not surprised that the boys swept the board as they were fantastic. Congratulations also go to Elmhurst and ENB for their fabulous performances in the interval. It was a great night!

Having sat on the panel for various dance comps and auditions I can imagine that when watching a group of very talented dancers the decision must be a very difficult one. Therefore they will, I expect, pick out the ones that over the course of classes and solos stand out as having that extra magic, musicality and consistency in all areas within the realms of their age, experience and capabilities. And it really can be as simple as that. But just my observation

 Just to add my pennies worth, (as a parent with the youngest child in the finals) we were told that the age of the competitors would be taken into account. Saying this, my son had to follow the same class exercises as the year above which was a challenge, but his solo was not as technically demanding as the older boys. I feel he must be "good for his age" and this is why he has been put through. Also to add that I'm not taking anything personally about the discussion. I am just so proud of his achievement  

The whole afternoon was fabulous and my son is through to the finals!! Amazed. It was a difficult class and he was the youngest but they seemed to like him and forgive the errors. Thrilled he will have coaching from,Thiago Soares next week. He has had a huge poster of him on his wall since he was 11! They all danced beautifully and it really was tutu heaven with the girls. Stunning costumes. Huge well done to everyone.

Thanks charlie. Yes, I am thrilled to be watching. Will report back x

My son is through to semI finals too! Think he might be the other boy in your daughter's year Angel as he said only one girl through with him. What a great experience for them tomorrow!!

Thanks Anjuli. Interesting. I will look for the cloth at Giselle's waist next time.

Hello thewinelake. Funnily I have questioned these little arm frills to myself too. They are rather unusual. Are they just a pretty extra or is there more to their existence?

Hello to Christine and Mel. How lovely to hear your thoughts on making the programme. Thank you. We have all followed the series in our household with with differing opinions. Funnily it was my eldest son who is training to be a dancer who seemed to have the most difficulty with the concept (he felt it was undermining what he does - he's at the Royal Ballet School you know haha!), but I wanted you both to know that my 10 year old (ballet) daughter was just delighted by the series and feels that of course all sizes of dancers should be able to take ballet seriously. I was proud of her attitude. I especially enjoyed seeing the huge effort you all put in and the joy in dancing that you all have. I hope the series has encouraged more adults to dance and to make the best of themselves no matter what their size or shape. And I will work on my son Keep dancing!