FlexyNexy

1 hour ago, Meetmeatthebarre said:

 

Interesting. I've never darned my shoes but always thought that flattened stitching might be *more* slippery than suede (even after all the gunk sticks to it). Your description of going round the edges (I assume letting the satin wear away in the middle and expose the canvas?) makes sense!

Yes, its only around the edges and she cuts the satin once it starts wearing away.  

The suede patches I mean the ones from Grishko that you glue yourself to the shoe. I would not recommend them as they got almost shiny on places where the shoe touches the floor when turning and slippery.  

My DD never darned the whole shoe, just the edge.

She went around twice and used curved needle. 

She found the suede patches slippery once they got used few times. 

Let her practice the stitch she wants to use on a piece of fabric first. X

I guess we have been lucky as my DD's school provided at each start of the year (1 leo, 1 pair of tights, flats and 1 pair of pointe shoes). During the year they used the company "repair shop" where the broken shoes just got fixed. 

She was amazed that dead shoe she brought to the workshop came out like new. Don't ask me what they did to it 😂

My DD had a cultural shock as the way they give out shoes to the students. A lady turned up with huge bag, students lined up and have been asked  for shoes size and thats it. You are given shoe of random brand to dance for a year. 

She could not dance it them as they really felt like they have been made of wood. 

I have then shipped Gaynors to her which lasted long time. Griskho brand just "melted " in the humid environment they danced in so we could not use them. 

1 parlor of Griskho's she brought lasted only a week. 

Gaynors lasted 2 months.  All in all she had 3 Gaynors for a year. They just had to last as no ballet shop in the country and I could not fly there on a whim.  

My DD has signed up already.  He was our life saver during past months. Excellent teaching, mentoring and advice.

She did his Easter too.

They have been on the move since my DD auditioned for them. We too have been told that new term will be at the new location. My DD has since graduated 🎓 (another school)  and ENBS are still at the same place. 

19 hours ago, MPatti said:

FlexyNexy, I was just talking with some UK family.  You mentioned you have an appointment for next year, have you requested it to be expedited? My family mentioned you can request that, and need to list your reason. Not sure if that helps, or if you did that already.

Yes we did and they have declined it! It was rather automated message so I don't believe anyone actually looked into our request. Tried to call number of times and I didn't get anywhere.  We have even emailed and the message response was just bland and directing us to talk to immigration lawyer.  Hopeless. 

2 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

Oh yes it does.... my Hisband keeps reminding me & my 15 & 17 year olds.....feeling very anxious....& that years of training & costs could do easliy amount to nothing.... the whole visa situation sounds a nightmare too...is this also an issue to attend summer intensives there? Thinking next year... 

This year some USA schools and companies mentioned only to apply if you already hold visa (working or student)...regarding summer schools, we are doing all via Zoom this year (most of them are virtual and in person for people already in country). 

Before covid, my DD has attended summer schools on ESTA.  

1 hour ago, lilacfairy said:

What about the U S Embassy in Edinburgh is that open ? They usually have more appointments available.

We have tried as well and no appointments available 😒 

My dd did few years back ABT, Joffrey, San Francisco and Ellison and they are large size I would say approx 25 kids in class. On some classes they have been split into various groups and studios.

My DD found USA intensives more challenging (in good way) and she prefers them to UK ones. Ellison was in her eyes the best for her style of training and very challenging (also long days but she has learned so much!)

I would not worry about training as it is good, but the accommodation is hard to organise as the accommodation offered by schools is very limited and if on nearby campus, incredibly expensive.  

My DD was flying on her own but we have arranged homestay which worked out the best. 

3 minutes ago, MPatti said:

FlexyNexy, I am so sorry that is the case.  I will say in my past experience, if the schools know anybody (friend of friend etc) who works for the US state department, they can sometimes move things along.  Ask everybody you know and see if they know anybody!! Wishing you the best of luck.  This is just horrible…

Thank you MPatti, we will definitely try this too.  I just can not believe that they would not hire extra staff processing student visas when they know that September is coming and most auditions are during summer intensives.  

So upset I can not tell you. 2 trainee offers, 1 Junior Artist offer starting September and October respectively and 1 uncooperative US embassy who scheduled our interview for visa at their earliest appointment for end of March 2022. 

DD all day in tears...can this go any worse for graduates this year? All this hard work and now feeling the emptiness. 

I am just updating this feed in case it will re-appear in the future. We had 2 week long research on this company, my DD contacted previous and current dancers from UK, Australia and USA and feedbacks have been quite interesting and helped us to make a right decision. 
If any member of this forum would need assistance in the future, I am happy to be approached.

2 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

Just to be aware, Ds’s petition/application was paid for by his company and DD’s cost us just under $1000. Then the US embassy charge for the face to face 😞 

I feel I only work for ballet! 😐

1 hour ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

I believe the US embassy in London is now open for limited face to face visa appointments. 
When you have your petition , this is arranged by the company, then you can go onto the website and see what appointments are available x

Thank you! Was not sure of the process (1st time applicant for USA visa).

Good morning lovely ladies/ gents. Do you have any information when the US embassy in London opens up? I noticed ESTA is back online and acepting applications, even the travel as tourist is not allowed yet.

I would add our recommendation for Prague as International - challenging in studio but fun days out with the group, everyne super friendly.
I would second MBS - we only did their Easter, but I bet Summer would be same quality. My DD loved being away from home and sharing room with new friends.

8 hours ago, Kanangra said:

My DD got a similar approach via instagram when she was a Gaynor Girl but ignored it. One of her friends ended up there last year and was loving it until Covid came along and put an end to everything. I can contact her mother to find out more information if you like? 

That would be lovely.  I think I have contacted one girl of similar description you have mentioned (she returned because of covid from NY) but she has not responded yet. 

I would really appreciate if you could contact them. They can write privately if they wish. I only want to know some personal feedback. X

My DD had a daily routine (run, pilates, strengthening, cardio) then some classes, she did 1 or 2 summer intensives in June and July (they do run in all ages) and then break. I made sure she spends quality time with the family (as she is overseas student). 

I made sure she does intensives that are intensive and not holiday dance camps so they are worth the money and not wasting time.

If she wanted, she did some top up classes with Danceworks. 

August mainly doing nothing.

10 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

Here's a link to the website:

 

https://www.ajkunbt.org/education-for-dancers.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIofHG0Na98QIVwoBQBh0hoQtGEAAYASAAEgL05_D_BwE

 

 

Thank you Jan for the link. I am aware of them as my DD has been offered a contract but I am failing to find some more solid information other than their web. I have searched this, same as the USA forum and no one seems to have personal experience hence ressurecting this old post x

Good evening ladies and gents,
I am going to resurrect this old post and wonder if there are any news on this establishment? I saw that 2018 graduate from Elmhurst has joined their program, but that's about it. Does anyone know or can share little info on them?

The way I order from US or EU is to have it shipped to my friends residing in the country and they post it to be as a gift. 

3 hours ago, Encroix said:

Was it cheaper through Central or direct with AXA? 

Axa was cheaper by a great deal. 

When I was looking for my DD, AXA PPP Heatlhcare offered package for her. She was only 16 and quote was for £386

I wanted an alternative and compared it with the one Central school has offered.  Identical cover, identical insurer but the price difference was huge.

Info from 2018 year x

Jose Martin has my vote and recommendation.

When my DD was small (from age of 6 approx.) and her main interest was musical theatre/ commercial dance she auditioned for everything that we came across, just so she gets the feeling of the process. It was great day out for both of us, she made new friends, me new mums for coffee and as a treat she had cake and Frappuccino from Starbuck. This was highlight of the day 😄 When we opened ‘yes’ envelope – great, we have enjoyed the experience and I got to drink loads and loads of coffee while waiting for her. If she got the ‘no’ letter, she just binned it and I got glad that I no need to be taxi mum.
This taught her to accept "no's" and move on without many tears or too much dwelling for days. When she decided to drop everything and pursue her love for ballet at age of 8, again the same process. We have auditioned for things that she was not even interested in. She wanted to see how she "compares" to outside world and getting used to the audition pressure and preparation. She is olive brown (Latino descent) and she was clear from the start that some auditions or productions she will not be chosen for the main role and even in the lining up, they have been lined up from blonds to the olive skin ones. It was quite amusing to watch.

When it came to ballet auditions at later stage she was well equipped mentally to deal with the process, could not care less and was not intimidated by children coming in school branded tracksuits or kids that performed ridiculous stretching in the hall as a part of their warming up. She has learned a lot from it. She has also learned that some well social media followed girls look good on still photographs, however when it comes to dance…that is another story. I am somehow happy that even now at age of 18 she does not have social media account and is not interested at all in current tricks and other trends going on. Ballet world is very small, girl’s gets to know each other from social media, summer schools, seminars or productions…it’s easy to get intimidated. Me as Mum, I found ballet more stressful, than musical theatre auditions.

When it came to US auditions, she wanted to apply also for schools she was not interested to take offer from, but again she wanted to get into the swing of it, when it came to audition for school she had her eyes on. She took them as a ‘warm up round’. When she got the ‘yes’ it was little booster for her.

Now her attitude when she receives rejection is simply “it’s their loss” and she continues in her journey. My story short…I exposed her to the highs and lows from early age so she is well equipped emotionally to the cruel world. See what makes your daughter calmer, set routine, and make it fun. My daughter was more excited about the one night hotel stay and unlimited breakfast than audition itself.