Belljul

Oh boy was just thinking that my daughter will not be ready to go away at 12 but will be fine to try at 16!! Had conveniently forgotten that it can be just as bad then!

Nicely put Stirrups! Billyelliot, I think you are suffering what I call "reverse homesickness" when you are missing your boy and everything feels so tough to deal with when they are upset. It all sounds very normal to me (I have two boys away) and the hardest lesson I have had is not to react emotionally to the emotions coming from my sons. I had a text last night from my youngest son telling me he HATES his roommate and wants to leave school NOW! I only picked up the text in the morning and when I called he said. "It's fine Mum, don't fuss. Can't talk now, too busy" Arghhhhh! your son will find out slowly how much communication works for him, and you. I do tell my sons I deserve a bit of a chat now and again. I think that is fair, but you can discuss this with him as he settles and doesn't find it upsetting to talk to you.

For me it's Scottish Ballet's Sophie Martin and Christopher Harrison. Sigh.

Yes, very mixed feelings on this one. I hope it is done sensitively.

I have two dancing sons, both who love ballet and have had their share of teasing but the strength they get from each other is fantastic. Boys really need support from other boys to keep going which is why vocational school is so fantastic for boys. Thanks for the article toursenlair. Xx

Bit late on this one but my DS had a ball too! Managed to chat with charlie4dancin and hairbelles which was lovely. We were tempted to hold up a big sign saying balletco over here!! Look forward to a full week next year

Congratulations! Wishing your sister all the best for her time at Hammond.

Wow, they decide after a one hour audition? That's it? No second audition. Does seem bit crazy. And the timing of the audition makes it impossible for a UK student to apply alongside the uk schools as all our auditions are at the start of the year. And summer school is out due to the June start My son would love to apply for upper school but it will be very tricky. Anyone know anyone who has done it?

Interesting little dance socks!

It was an email to the address you put on the application form. Some of my friends had put their child's email so just be warned that if you did that the news (good or bad) will go straight to them. xx

Great links spanner. Thanks.

They don't get told on the day tutucute. We waited about 4 weeks and the offer came by letter. Think they all play generic children (part of a school taught by the witch who is a teacher in disguise). That's how I understood it anyway.

My DS wore white leather Converse at Elmhurst for two and a half years. He constantly suffered from shin pain on and off. We eventually changed to supportive running style white trainers and he has had very few problems since. Really go for the supportive ones. Crazy that it took us so long to work it out!! It is to do with the moulded insole support in normal trainers. Converse barely have any arch support, and most canvas shoes have none. They seem to get away with some markings on them, and as for black, he never wore them! edited to add more info

info, not linfo!

It was really close to the audition date tutucute. As late as a week before. The Iinfo came by email, although the offer of a part came by letter. Good luck x

When you have three children at three different schools in three different parts of the UK and none of their holidays match up. And family time means " how many pirouettes can you do" and " who had the best feet" competitions!

Fantastic review Nana Lily. I too had a lovely day yesterday and thought the show was excellent. I could never put it into words as you have, so thank you. It will be an emotional day on Friday as it will also be the last one for my son. See you there!

Hi charlie4dancin. My youngest ds is attending the junior summer school so we have a chance to meet up again

Thanks Janet. Great article.

Oh I love these. Thanks very much toursenlair!

Lovely post. Huge luck for a fantastic future for your DD picturesinthefirelight. Keep us posted xx

My daughter started at age 8 and it goes up to around 16 I would say.

Hi tutucute22. My DS auditioned on Saturday and had a great time. Seemed to be a basic ballet class, followed by creative workshop in groups (making shapes with your bodies to tell the story) followed by some dancing from the show. I don't think they are looking for individual parts although I may be wrong as they didn't tell us. I think height is likely to come into it but again I am guessing. Hope that is of some help.

My sons have attended these classes and now my daughter does too. They have all loved them. They really seem to challenge the kids and my daughter (who does RBS JAs and has struggled a bit with all the exercises and rigorous attention to detail) has loved the freedom of "really dancing". My daughter has picked up many challenging steps and it has given her confidence. I feel it is a great balance to the JA classes. Saying that the teachers are also very focused on technique and they have a track record of fantastic RAD results for their residential students, and the same teachers (apart from the Edinburgh one) teach Aspiring Professionals. I can't remember much about the audition but if I can help with anything else, send me a PM.

I loved reading it too. Very funny and real It really was blood sweat and tears! Great that you borh enjoyed the day in the end, regardless of the outcome. Be sure to let us know the outcome.