Waltzingmatilda

ooh! Please forgive me for my ignorance but dead pointe shoes? DD has only had pointe shoes since Sept and now does a 20 min session on pointe once a week - how long will they last approx? Will it be obvious that they have passed their best? I know it sounds funny but I really have no idea - will it be obvious ie they droop in the middle and look odd? I have so much to learn.

Does anyone know what parts there would be for coppelia in the senior age group for dd not on pointe yet? I wonder if it could be similar casting to eyb as they wanted 100 children.any ideas as dd not done a full length ballet before?

Can we buy photos from the showing of work does anyone know? DD enjoyed first time at Elmhurst so much!

your blog is fantastic! you are such a fabulous inspiration and I think you should write a book about all your dance experiences - highs and lows- you have such a natural talent to keep all the forum readers enthralled and offer such valuable advice. You are a fountain of knowledge to me in this strange dance world that is alien to some of us until we have a child with a dance 'obsession'! as well as being an wonderfully descriptive writer. Please keep blog updated as I and I am sure many other - await - with much anticipation - to hear of your next adventures in New York and Ballet West!

I may be being techno phobic (if that the correct word) but when i click on the link above for Tring Summer School it says 'couldn't find'. would be lovely to have a look. the more info the better!

i have just switched on to the forum and I always read your posts as they are so great and read this!! Amazing!!!! You must be the happiest girl in the world and America in the summer too! so pleased for you. Congratulations. Totally fantastic.

that is fabulously useful. thank you pas de chat, busymum and piccolo - will remove 'mini fridge' from our Tring essentials list immediately!! i will have to go and get some character shoes but managed to get a character skirt on ebay. Just a couple of new leotards as DD;s dance school one has gone bally as been stretched to last 2 years so think she deserves a nice new one!

Does anyone know how many DD's are in a room as my DD going for first residential here so am hoping there are a few DD's together?! She is 12. Any idea what kit list is like too please? I had an email last week asking for DD food info which says info should follow soon but just wondered if anyone who's DD went last year would know? Being new to 'residential' world! any hints would be greatly received. Can they take a mobile just in case she wants to send me 'one' text - ha. I am starting to feel nervous - DD can't wait!! It may be the thought of Harry Potter world as well!

ooh thankyou picturesinthefirelight.

anyone had the 'balance' request and further info yet? all the info above so useful too. I would be clueless without looking on this site!

ooh thankyou peanut, picturesinfirelight and nemo! That good re pointe not being an issue and DD won't be the only 12 yr old not having got them!. Haven't had anything else peanut since the initial letter offering place and all i have done is send the deposit off so expect we shall here all the lovely extra details soon. Really useful re accommodation too although I think DD would prefer to share or she may feel a little isolated but maybe they all pop to each others rooms hopefully so they don't get lonely. I think I am over-thinking it all as all a bit new to us!

is the accommodation in dorms or rooms does anyone know? Can parents watch a class on the Friday to get an idea of what the DC's have been up to? DD is not on pointe yet at 12 - is this okay for the summer school as I am suddenly worried she may be the only one who isn't?

That is truly amazing! Congratulations. i love reading your posts and cant wait to read a nice long one after you come back from New York with stories of your amazing adventures!

thank you snape and picturesinthefirelight. will get DD a wrap skirt and have got a big microfibre towel as they are really light and small so will pack that! I am hoping she may be able to get away with leggings and top to save me buying a tracksuit. I too have only paid deposit snape so we can worry together.

Does anyone know when we will get asked for the rest of the money for the course and details of what the DC need to bring with them? We are travelling by train so will be limited with luggage! Also is there anything out of the ordinary likely to be on the kit list that I need to budget for? DD only has one leotard so I thought we will get another black? one. I take it DC's need to bring shower gels/shampoos etc but are towels provided? A bit worried I may have missed an email with further details. Thank you all so much for helping me.

Being new to ballet world as I think of it has been such an eye opener for me. DD had first ever audition for Mid Associates Royal Ballet and we found that she was by far the tallest in her audition class - 5ft 3 for attempt at yr 8 MA .My DD said afterwards 'I hope i don't grow any taller' as she obviously couldn't help but notice all the other little girls seemed much shorter but after the 'no'' she's very upbeat though and wants to try again as she enjoyed audition so much. The more I go along with her obsession the more I worry! I said I couldn't really advise her on height and age and balllet other than tell her how gorgeous she is and I make her laugh by saying that if she gets really tall with a body like hers she could model which makes her giggle! I guess that all of us mum's are worrying about different things but all our DD's are beautiful - its just that they have chosen a really tough world to want to be part of. I think irishballetmom your DD is incredibly elegant and gorgeous in profile picture!

Ooh thankyou picturesinthefirelight. Really useful information. Really appreciate it!

Does anyone know if the DC's are dropped off on the Tuesday for the start of the course on the Weds 26th? We will probably get a train so wasn't sure if we need to arrive Tues or if Weds if do-able. I have no idea where to stay as it is probably cheaper for me to stay near the school and try to entertain myself for a couple of day whilst DD is residential - I wondered if anyone could recommend budget accommodation within taxi distance of the school so I can drop DD off and pick up on the Friday. HAve no idea which train station we get off at either. We have never travelled anywhere near the area before so hoping for advice although I am not sure if these are appropriate questions to ask here - apologies if not.

very useful information re elmhurst summer school on 'summer school reviews' previous discussion for a newcomer to the forum like me. I didn't even realise the summer school was international and that there is a waiting list as it is always over-subscribed. I knew of a DD who didn't get a place last year so in a way it is nice to know that they have a waiting list system in place. Better than a straight 'no' I feel. Has anyone experience of how the waiting list works? I understand some DD who have applied for residential are offered 'day' place waiting list. Just trying to find out all I can and this forum is fabulous for that!

OOh! Thank you Kat09! All becoming clearer!

I thought the letter will be 'yes' or 'no' but it seems from reading above there is waiting list, reserve list and SWL(not sure what that is being new to all this- could anyone explain)? Yes or No is straightforward but anything else seems to be confusing my already befuddled head? Is waiting list the same as reserve list? Sorry for all the questions!!!

wow ballet queen - well done to you DD for making finals- How amazing is that and first attempt too! All this waiting is making me jittery! Hoping we can all be put out of our misery by Easter. Doesn't sound like there are many places then for MA's. So glad I discovered this forum as it is an alien world to me. I so confused too Dancinginthe rain. If we can hear re MA's and Elmhurst SS shortly then at least I will not start eating the Easter eggs under my bed with the stress of it all!! We have a first residential booked for DD for Tring SS so if no's for MA and Elmhurst DD will look forward to Tring. Good luck to all waiting!

the wait is long isn't it! We are also waiting to hear re Elmhurst Junior Summer school - first time applying for MA's and Summer school! Didn't realise how hard it is waiting and checking e mails. DD very calm and expecting no's but just be nice to know! At least we are all in this together!

Thank you Kat 09!

My daughter is trying for yr 8 in bath for first time. They seemed to be auditioning all day so I can't imagine how many DD's were seen. Do most of the DD's who have been on a yr 7 place decide to carry on into yr 8 associates or do any drop out?. I can't imagine that any child would want to drop out but I am just thinking that there can't be many spare places left! I do understand totally that if you got a place you would most likely want to continue the next year but not sure how it all works and how many children they take at the most? I am a bit lost in this strange new world and this forum is very useful for information for alll you DD mums and dads who are used to all this...............!