FlexyNexy

I am aware that this is post about UK schools and apologise in advance for my question.  But do any of you have currently your DD or DS studying overseas? What is your plan? Bring them home, leave them there? Especially if the school is still open and running?

When my DD was smaller we used to go every year...as the time has progressed Move It just lost the spark. In my opinion at least. Last year was my last time I have attended and if my DD was in UK I would not allow her to go. I am not panicky or hysterical person (I have only 4 rolls of toilet paper in my cupboard) but the environment is just too sweaty and messy. I guess it is going ahead and classed as "safe" because it is national event rather international so not many international students/families are attending.

2 hours ago, junedancer said:

 

Anyone here able to give feedback on the ENB Summer Course?  After the experience of being at what I took to be the upper end of a very long wait-list last year we were pleasantly surprised to get an offer this year.  However we are having second thoughts after hearing a few stories about chaotic timetabling, some uninspiring teachers etc.  last year.  We are also now not sure if it being non-residential will work for us.

 

@FlexyNexy - we agree with your comment on RBS but are assuming that as they get older there will be more hours of dance.  Which age group was your DD when she attended?  We felt there wasn't enough ballet content compared to other courses.  Just trying to gauge if your DD is at the same stage of training for us to be comparable.

she was 16 (last year summer course), all very pretty, made friends etc but found the course not demanding enough. Comparing it with Ellison or summer in Portugal. Incoparable. She did not enjoy the contemporary part at all (just walking around in circle). This year she is in Prague did not want to apply anyhting in UK.

Hello Efftee, so sorry to read this but happy your DD is getting help. From what i re-call when DD received offers from upper schools, i needed to disclose medical statement and history signed by the GP. The schools had their medical questionaire that i needed to have filled by GP.
No one can release your file without prior consent.

Wishing you all the best and thinking of you. Lot's of love and strenght.

When we bring Russian colleagues to UK for meetings (no ballet related), they visit British Embassy in Russia and request info which we then provide. Usually it is letter of invitation with our Company Director passport and how we will financialy support them during their visit. With allmaterials what our company provides them, then they go back to the embassy and seek visas.

I guess it will be the same for ballet people.

Signed and shared on my Facebook.

Thank you Dr Dance for pointing this out. I have never been a fan of social media one trick ponies and similarly i don't support these dangerous practices. Children are easily influenced on social media so i would target that area. As Pups-mum said - perhaps utilising the ambassadors? 

Yet, i have done some experiment over the weekend and believe me or not i have passed and been aproved as an ambassador with my "parent" account that is with 3 followers and no posts what so ever. I worry how the companies actually select ambassadors? Is it only sales driven?

FYI, They have just anounced some technical glitch on their FB page. 

This fed brought back memories..."yes" envelopes are A4 and thick with lot's of materials in it. The envelope according to my spreadsheet arrived 3rd week after auditioning. It was yes for my DD then, but could not afford to take it up 😞 

Good luck all, very stressful period waiting for post men. 

2 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

Wow what an opportunity for those lucky enough to be able to go!! Am a bit confused looking at web info.... it prices it per week yet does look like the expectation is to attend the full 4 weeks (she gulps at sheer price & logistics of course!!) Flexy, do you know any more?

Hi Peanut

Regret don't know more details,  it was shared to me by a friend that her DD attends their school.  Price looks similar to summer intensives in USA. When my DD attended Ellison, we have paid over 3k for 2 weeks (in instalments). This however i see includes accommodation. Without a doubt it will be amazing if one could afford that. 

I am going to add new summer ballet school in Acosta Danza, Havana....maybe some will find it of interest and combine their holidays:

https://acostadanzasummerschool.com/?fbclid=IwAR1gdWNHnyCrProjOkSsVWLu__GtnYJxDVpe8Vup_EvjZ4oxKast1DMsBbw

9 hours ago, Tokyo Ballerina said:

My daughter, age 15, applied for Covent Garden for two week from Japan and was put on the waiting list. Does this mean actually No? 

Does anyone know how long the waiting list usually is? Just want to know what are the chances. Thank you.

Hi Tokyo Ballerina,
from experience my DD (17) always takes "waiting list" as a no. She did RB last year, this year she is on waiting list so she made plans elsewhere. The lists are very long and it all depends how far up/ down your name is. Good luck x

Covent Garden emails are out. DD on waiting list. 
Not sad, she had last year opportunity to be there and this year she has some overseas offers so happy mummy as i get to save some money.

Nothing yet, but i think they said by 17th 

My DD is in vocational school and only wear pads. Lucky she has very, very light periods so during ballet she wears liners, then changes to normal pads (with wings). They are not allowed short but have black leos so she feels calmer in case of "incidents".

thank you ladies for your responses. I am not brave to go into leotard (yet) but will get some simple leggins and loose top to start with. I am nowhere near to fit my DD tights or clothing (i tried and you all would laugh) i only fit into her shoes as we have same size. I migh add her wrap skirt i found in her wardrobe to look a part. 
Thank you again x
 

I am going to jump into this thread and ask what are you wearing for adult ballet classes? I am a mum who never danced, just sat in the car while DD danced, active (size 10/12) but never went to the gym. 
I have been challenged by my DD to join adult ballet class this month and to try what is really going on in the studio.

What do you ladies wear? I am sure i will not go full time with the classes so do not want to spend too much. I am planing to wear my DD soft shoes she left behind but what on top? Thank you x

My DD buys in bulk Lion Brand.

Hi SarahBallet
i previously commented on summer schools in other post, so will copy and paste. My DD did Vaganova summer course in Alicante and loved it. Also I have noticed that NKBS are doing winter course and there is potential to audition for Vaganova summer school in Italy (Julia Kasenkova is attending). As your DD is 15 she fit's in the age the winter course is aimed for.
 

From my DD experience I could recommend the following:

UK

Malvern/ OPES – for spring intensive

ENBS - tried spring and summer - not one for her, her feedback was 'ok to socialise not demanding enough', also placed in incorrect lower group so was not challenging enough

She has tried first time RB this summer but said is was good but not demanding enough

Portugal

The National Conservatory Dance School - https://www.eadcn.pt/en/  - very high standard of dancers, great lessons

Spain - summer

IB Stage - Barcelona

Russian Masters Ballet Camp in Alicante

Centre de Dansa de Catalunya - Catalunya

USA - tried only summer

Ellison Ballet – would recommend both programmes - Variations and PDD (very demanding classes and kids actually work and sweat)

The Alvin Ailey – fantastic teachers!

We had a spreadsheet with schools my DD made research and wanted to apply. The list got reduced and i made enquiries iro applications (cost, fees, requirements and deadlines)...we made professional photos incl. head shot and video (15 mins). All on spreadsheet, so we didn't get overwhelmed. Some auditions we had only as a practice run with no desire to acept offer.

I had a separate spreadsheet wit hall costs broken down worked out on the worse scenario i.e. no funding offered.

The hardest thing was turning down offers due to their deadlines, knowing that we still have more schools to audition for. For example for schools in USA she was selected to attend their summer school. It was very stressful to say no and decline all offers in UK and Europe and wait if she will be lucky in US. At the end it all worked out.

Good luck, i never ever want to repeat such year!

Really a great loss for dance world, leaves us a great legacy ..., your  contributions to dance, your dedication and professionalism will be remembered for many generations! 

Como triste es ver un adios a una grande MAESTRA ALICIA...Descansa en Paz ⚘

My DD rehearsed solo night before in the hotel. She is classicaly ballet trained but improvised to Bjork music and went for contemporary with some 'pop-ing and locking'. I guess the panel loved it (she received offer but declined due to funding). She was somehow relaxed for audition solos and never rehearsed too much in advance which stressed me a lot as I had feeling “she does not care”. But it works for her. I would only say – do not be afraid to come out of your comfort zone. Good luck x

From my DD experience I could recommend the following:

UK

Malvern/ OPES – for spring intensive

ENBS - tried sping and summer - not one for her, her feedback was 'ok to socialise not demanding enough', also placed in incorrect lower group so was not challenging enough

She has tried first time RB this summer but said is was good but not demanding enough

Portugal

The National Conservatory Dance School - https://www.eadcn.pt/en/  - very high standard of dancers, great lessons

Spain - summer

IB Stage - Barcelona

Russian Masters Ballet Camp in Alicante

Centre de Dansa de Catalunya - Catalunya

USA - tried only summer

Ellison Ballet – would recommend both programmes - Variations and PDD (very demanding classes and kids actually work and sweat)

The Alvin Ailey – fantastic teachers!

We have been banned to participate in extra workshops, associate programmes even productions like EYB, LCB. I have always informed the teacher of our intensions to join extra activities (always away from school hours),  but we have been declined the opportunity. Throughout the time i have found out that other classmates have been allowed to do extra, some even missed classes because their other commitments so i put my foot down and stop informing the teacher as clearly there was no one rule for all. Without my intervension my DD would missed out on a lot.

My DD has 3 citizenships (one includes EU) just in case, so we are hoping that they will open her the doors when applying for companies worldwide. Definetly go for it!