MumToTu

Hi Sarahitaly Its quite a long walk - especially it you have luggage - I would google a local taxi firm and call a taxi to pick you up. Although Richmond Park is a beautiful place for a walk if you enjoy walking 💕 I walked once to Mortlake station it didn’t take long about 25 minutes and it was lovely - I think Richmond station maybe further. Is your dd excited?

Hi Dizzyballetmum Dd has quite a narrow foot and she finds Grishko 2007 Pro’s in an X - she loves them - she has got a tapered foot as well though.... I just wish someone would invent a pointe shoe that lasted longer - I seem to be spending all my free time sewing these days - I’m sat watching DS’s karate session while darning yet another pair tonight ....! 😩 Xxxx

Huge well done and congratulations to your daugther on her graduation and all the very best of luck for her up and coming auditions ! 👏🏻💕

This is so heartbreaking- so deeply sorry for your loss - signed 💕 Xxxx

Just to second what RichieN - my dd did the Centre Pointe SS last year and absolutely loved it! Would very highly recommend X

Yes, it’s hard to get them to make a choice - if they have dedicated so much of their childhood to gymnastics - the training is really tough and their gym can become almost like a family. My dd trained in the same small group of 5i girls with the same wonderful coach from age 6 to 11 - training together long days all summer, and forming such strong friendships and bonds - happy memories for her! Thankfully the group all left at the same time, for various reasons - mostly combining higher level training with starting high school - but it made my dds transition to purely dancing a lot less heartbreaking. Well done on your dds Elmhurst place and good luck for next years round of audition and WAG Grades ! An amazing achievement! 😊

Just to confuse people even more re the gymnastics/ballet debate 😊 my dd, who was a JA and now a Mid used to be a very successful WAG gymnast on the BG NDP, county squad member every year plus she did her National Grade 4 in age on only 12 hours training a week, one of only 4 in her region (NW) her lovely coach loved her dancing too and she still comes to watch her in shows even now. She was very fortunate to be able to able to do both, but had to make a choice in year 7 - as she wasn’t doing enough ballet classes to keep up - only 2 hours a week outside Mids and not much pointework, she now dances nearly every night! She is tall with extremely proportionaly long legs - not all gymnasts are built the same! They don’t select on body type really, more fast twitch muscle type, flexibility and strength and of course a complete dare devil streak 😊 Good luck to you all, and if it’s a no, just don’t give up, things change X

I would of thought sharing of exam results with names without permission was in breach of GDPR rules. But, I am no legal expect. I personally hate emphasis on scores and I would prefer to reward personnal progression. At my dds Grammer school, the students assessment scores each term are ranked, and read out. As incentive for students to work hard all throughout the year and creates a very progressive environment. She enjoys this, but it would certainly not suit everyone for example her brother would hate this kind of environment and I know it would make him totally miserable, rather than enjoying the strive for improvement and looking up to all the outstanding successes. So, I don’t think personally think it’s necessary for a recreational dance school to be displaying scores, unless to applaud an outstanding success. But, I expect everyone has a very different perspective on this. But, I also wouldn’t be offended if my dds scores were displayed anywhere, but would understand totally why some people dislike the practice so much! 😊

We are packing a fresh leotard for every day so 5, one black they usually wear plain black for the parent viewing classes on the last day. My dd likes nice cotton fabric and a camisole style, as it can get hot in England at this time of year especially in the south of England. We are in the north, so it’s a few degrees cooler, it can feel warm from my dd although it might not if you are used to the warmer climates of Italy !!😄 My dd has asked for a skirt too, not something she usually wears, but they are popular at summer schools she must believe. Warm up boots as they move from class to class or a pair of easily slip on shoes. They can take pocket money which is handed in in cash on the first day, my dd took £10. Food is lovely and they had a barbecue last time my dd went and she had lots of lovely snacks too. She also took a refillable water bottle for refilling at water fountains in between class. It’s a wonderful experience, White Lodge is stunning and the grounds are beautiful. Any more questions please feel free to DM me X

Don’t worry Sarahitaly, we haven’t been contacted yet either, I think it’s usually a bit closer to the date around May time. Which week is your dd on? My dd is week 4 and very excited, it’s her 2nd time xxx

Yes, just to second this, it is the most wonderful exciting experience and the best advice would be to just enjoy every second! And make sure your child is well rested before going so they can really appreciate all the wonderful training they will get. Balletmum55’s dd and my own dd met at RBS summer school a couple of years ago and had the most wonderful time and are on the same week at RBS summer school again this year! It is so just lovely they can meet up again dd is so excited about seeing friends and going back to stay at WL this time en pointe ! 😊 Good luck and enjoy the RBS spring intensive !! Xxx

Yes 😂 😂 you are welcome Balletmum55 😊Xxx

Going back to complete basics with no pressure can help with blocks in gymnastics, so maybe rocking backwards and forwards on her back on a mat my help her gradually build more confidence the sensation of rolling for her forwards roll without actually going over. This is if she ever wanted to learn one, although I am 100 percent sure she’s never need one for a ballet class or audition ! 😊 Xxx

Hi Scottishdancermum Your dd shouldn’t worry forward rolls are taught in gymnastics classes to teach the basic shape of a somersault and a cartwheel is a tumbling skill. Probably not skills your dd would want to progress if she doesn’t enjoy them and she most certainly won’t need them in a ballet class. Maybe your dd is capable of doing a forward roll and has a mental block. If she’s really determined to master one, you could try to get visualise herself doing a forward roll maybe the night before and then try to do one with a qualified coach or teacher spotting her. My son learnt his backwards roll on an inclined mat to give him a bit of extra momentum. Walkovers need lots of shoulder flexibiliy to ensure the lower back isn’t overcompensating.... Good luck and even if your dd doesn’t manage her forwards roll or cartwheel ever, I am sure it will have no bearing whatsoever on her ballet 😊 Xxx

Well done!! Congrats to your dd 😊

Well done to your dd for doing her first audition despite being so unwell! 😊 She may be being harsh on herself and have done much better than she thinks Xxx

Congratulations to your beautiful dd, can’t wait to see our girls beautiful group dance! We’ve had many ups and downs too, got straight into JAs in year 5, then waitlisted for mids then thankfully a place 2 weeks later, finals for Elmhurst then no place, but every time dd gets upset, and I say to her it it all really worth it!! she simply could not comprehend life without dance, so there is no question about carrying on ! As it’s simply everything to her 😊 Though thankfully, being an associate has lead her to a lovely place to dance at higher level, with supportive teachers and lovely friends, who seem to understand journey her better than I do 😂 This forum has also been such a great support for me, thank you all!!

Are you able to top up your hours at your ballet school with privates? That may help? Or have a private where you have your Associate class? If you want to move think of yourself first, as you don’t want to look back and have regrets. Also, consider you may have to give a terms notice, we had to do this with my daughters School this may help any transition ie if you have an upcoming exam scheduled. My dd moved dance school as her local dance school only offered a purely recreational syllabus, no festivals, only 1 grade class, 1 vocational grade class a week with 10 minute of Pointe work at the end from year 7 upwards for an hour and a half and 1 very very basic huge non syllabus class for ages of all abilities from complete beginner to my dd who was the most advanced being a Royal Ballet Associate, which dd was incredibly frustrated in!! Though it was a lovely place to dance with a wonderful teacher. We didn’t realise any schools offered more until she met other associates. We were told it at her old school it doesn’t matter how much you do training wise as to be successful in an audition they only look at physique and at potential at 11 and 16, so it’s better just to do very little. While this maybe true, my dd loves also challenging herself and wanted to excel and feel she was furfilling her true potential. Also have fun with her dance journey ie do festivals, try contemporary and therefore so is far far happier at her new school. She also is now with other more seriously minded dance students like herself and the has most amazing teachers, she has come on leaps and bounds and is having the time of her life! Would your mum and Dad be able to drive you somewhere further away? Or could you get a train? Don’t give up hope, where there is a will there is a way I am sure! but, you do need your parents help... Xxx

Re. Progression, For my dd in ballet her proudest progression "skill" wise was probably being allowed her first pair of Pointe shoes, but maybe for a talented adult beginner maybe this would happen quite quickly anyway 😂 Well done for getting to level 8 you must be extremely talented! It's lovely you are thinking of dancing now, it sounds like you have all the right attributes.

Hi Katie 93 😊 my dd used to be a competitive artistic gymnast turned ballet student like yourself, though she's only 12 still. I have not heard of level 8 other than in America? Are you in the US by any chance? In the UK it is done by graded pathway, regional, national or elite, and goes upto level 1, ie the British, but you can switch in between, my dd was on the national pathway. It was very hard and she suffered too terrible backwards tumbling blocks and fears on floor. Although, crazily was very happy to tumble on beam ! it is a very mental sport, she too is happy to be free from those fears now too in dance, but facing fears can be character building too! And very common in gymnasts. In my humble opinion as an observer and mum gymnastics is very focused on technique, precision, athleticism, bravery and skills. Whereas in ballet body type, ability, extentions, performance, acting, artistry and musicality are focussed on. So very different yet both requiring a lot of fluidity, flexibilty and strength and determination. Also, I don't think you compete really in a point scoring way in ballet, even if you do competitions, they are more seen as a chance to perform and receive feedback, you are more in training towards a goal i.e. exams, a career, audtions when older. Whereas in gymnastics you have to compete right from a young age of 8 against all other competitive gymnasts in your region which is organised by one governing body British Gymnastics to climb the ladder, i.e. to get in squads win a good coaches interest etc, so maybe that's why the rules have to be so transparent and a bit more straught forward, as it's quite common to contest scores awarded in gymnastics, and its not seen as bad manners. Good look with your training ! Hope this helps X

A school that has classes for RAD Adanced 1 and 2 or equivalent is what we looked for, a goal dd wanted to strive towards. Although everyone is different and may have a totally different goal. We were recommended Centre Pointe, where she is now and extremely happy! I know it's to far for you, also Kate Simmons and Northern Ballet Associates for y7 plus by various people whose opinions we really respected.

You may also have the problem with just grade 3 RAD exam work classes, I believe there are no pirouettes yet in Grade 3 ? I can vaguely can remember dd having to pick them up at her Royal associate classes very quickly before her audition, which she managed thankfully and has been taught them beautifully, but if you can fit in more classes at a different school I would most definately strongly incourage you to do so!! It helps with confidence and is one less thing to worry about at a nerve wracking audition!

We had a similar situation with my Dd, for different reasons. Does the school add more classes as they get older for Pointe work etc? We ended up staying until age 12 as dd did gymnastics too so it suited her. She has moved on now to a wonderful new dance school. Dd attended 1 grade class a week a grade, they moved up one grade a year, they also offered one non syllabus, and tap and modern but she insisted she wanted to attend gymnastics instead as she absolutely loved it! And then in year 7 or 8 (if a new starter etc) students moved up to interfoundation. It was a lovely school. But, dd wanted to do more classes than they could offer eventually ! Students were never allowed to move up faster than peers at her old ballet school to make it a fair and non competitive environment for everyone to just enjoy dance without pressure. I don't think all school can offer training for girls who want to make a more of a career from dance for practical reasons sadly, not always because they don't want to help...! And when I say a career, I don't mean necessary a job as a dancer when they are older, but as a journey getting more involved in the dance world etc. Maybe have an honest chat with your dds teacher would help? We were reassured at auditions, if your Dd wants to audition for full time training 😂 the schools mostly look for potential, and are very good at spotting natural potential rather than how advanced students are, but I think being better prepped would give a student confidence and you don't want your child feeling demoralised. And it's always nice to feel you've given something your best shot!!

These are so pretty, we bought some gorgeous nutcracker themed decorations last year from Tesco, of all places, so will be adding these to our Christmas tree collection 😂 thanks for sharing Xxx

I would say if your daughter is saying she wants a decent chance to do her best at auditions, and she wants to do more than an hour move her on somewhere she can do more classes. My Dd until year 5 only did an hour ballet a week at her dance school, then up until y7 only a hour a week RAD grade 3/4 class alongside Royal Ballet Associates. She felt behind where she felt she could be, and started to get frustrated! I.e. Wanted to learn to pirouette more etc, learn pointe work more, progress faster, dance move, just get more involved in dance. Be lead by your child if she has ambitions of obtaining a place at a youth ballet, and has a real passion for ballet i.e. Is always dancing everywhere she goes 😀 and wants to work hard, I think definitely more than one class at age 9, as long as she doesn't find it too tiring even alongside other dance styles as well rather than giving them up! but, of course it depends also on what you as a family can commit too as well as you need to be there to drive her to the classes. My Dd eventually moved dance schools after the first term of y7 and she is very furfilled and happy now on loads more going on more classes, shows, contemporary, pointe work, it's all a lot more for her to get involved in! one hour a week is not enough really to cover much at all! I am surprised looking back Dd did aswell as she did in exams and auditions, although not doing much was lucky to have had really amazing teachers!