swe

Hello all My dd is doing adv 1 in both RAD and ISTD (she attends 2 different schools)-just her opinion of course, but she thinks the ISTD is more challenging

Nathalie taught my dd at Northern Associates-she is a wonderful teacher x

DD did the adv1 last year and enjoyed them as they focused not only on technique, but musicality and artistry.

May I jump in on this thread please and ask what an upper school (preliminary) audition involves at Elmhurst. DD still going round in circles with what to do post 18 but she has decided to try a few auditions for (lower) sixth form anyway. Many thanks

So glad I posted-some very good advice as usual. I had a good chat with my dd and I think at the root (putting aside moving from home) is she feels she ought to get some A levels as a 'fall-back' and is not 100% set on doing ballet as a career, so we are going to step back from the applications and continue with (luckily) some good local training and review everything in a year or so..phew......2dancersmum stated earlier that year 11 is a 'stressful, confusing year'-you're not kidding!!

Hi all Thanks for the replies. I don't think you are being too personal Aileen-I am grateful for your view! With regards to leaving home-I believe it is simply anxiety (she is a bit of a homebird). She has done lots of summer schools but only 1 residential so I think visits are definitely in order. However I think you have hit on a point that just because she is good at something doesn't mean she should do it as a career. I have tried to say I will support whatever decision she makes but I think the truth of it is she is just not ready to make a decision and let's face it most of us wouldn't have had a clue what we wanted to do when we were 15. So I will have another talk with her-thanks all swe

Having reached a major crossroads re ballet training, just wanted other's views really-appreciating that ultimately dd will have the last say. She has been training in dance forever (!) and is now 15 with experience in modern/tap and some musical theatre but particularly ballet (she is RBS SA. ) I say that she has now got to decide about vocational training in ballet otherwise she will 'miss the boat'. Unfortunately she is not happy to leave home and says that she is not keen to audition for ballet school in case she is offered a place she won't take. My view is if you don't at least try the audition you won't have the choice. She is steering to Musical Theatre just so she can have another couple of years at home. Am I being too hard? And is it out of the question to do ballet school for 2 years then move into Musical Theatre afterwards?

Hello everyone My dd does a regular modern class but I think she would like to develop this further by doing some challenging workshops. She usually does a summer school of jazz and is considering an easter school too, but we don't know where to look for further modern work-any ideas please? thanks all swe

A friend has asked if I could recommend any 18 + courses at college/uni which would be suitable for teaching dance. As my dd is hoping to go down performance route I have no idea on where to look-but I am sure some of you knowledgeable folk will be able to help! The young lady in question has most of her experience in tap/ballet/modern so i assume she wants to specialise in these (though I think she would like to do contemporary too). Any pointers greatly received x

Don't feel silly-that's why we are all here-to support each other and to 'connect' with people who understand

Hi Fran We have had to turn our SA place down, so there were lots of tears on Saturday as this was her last session. I wish you and your dd best wishes for next year at Northern and hope we bump into you again swe xx

The current students only received their offers to return last week so they are probably waiting to get all the replies back in before they send the new packs out-shouldn't be too long now x

Doesn't the official RBS uniform supplier offer a service to do this? You should get the details with the handbook etc. might be worth giving them a ring. Good luck

Has anyone had the timetable for September yet? I have just noticed that there is no half-term break at the end of October/beginning of November for SAs (coinciding with most schools?) so I emailed but they said this is correct. Does anyone know why this is please-we were hoping to go away over half-term so now I am worried about missing a session. Thanks all swe

Whilst it's always good to have a debate on things, my view is that it is up to the parents and child what they want to do-and nobody should feel guilty for wanting private lessons. As parents we just do our best (with or without 'permission'). Bottom line is we can have an opinion but it's really none of our business what others do!

Fantastic news Fran-well done to your dd-if it's the same SA teacher as this year, she is wonderful! Best wishes xx

Hi Fran Have had letter today-so hopefully you will also hear shortly. Best of luck to your daughter. We have been offered a further year but probably won't be continuing as starting RBS SAs in September. But that should mean someone on the waiting list will get a place! I love that. xx

Hi Dancerbabe82 I think they take from 12 - 18 at Laine. The musical theatre course doesn't specify any grade achievement in dance but you need to say which levels you are working toward and if you do drama/singing-so I suppose that is for grouping purposes. The dance course require IF modern/jazz (I think) but both dds doing musical theatre because there were no places on the first dance week

Youngest dd not a ballerina but a fab tapper and we have tried several types-she loves Capezio split soles (think they are around £40)

Hi Both dds doing Laine this year, the eldest did Bird and NBT last year.

A ballet mum told me last week that London Studios are relocating to Acton area and that the premises were lovely as was the area. However, I don't know more than that, so please don't quote me! Hopefully someone else can give more info.

Goodness that reminds me of dd's sport's day a few years ago when she was doing the hurdles, hit one and went absolutely flying and landed on her knees!! Needless to say dancing was out of the question for a few days...this year she is hoping to go for high jump again-as usual my heart will be in my mouth. I don't have the heart to stop her but I do think it would be wise!

Hi Shirley315 Once you are in intermediate you don't need to re-audition every year-but some children move up to seniors (I think from year 9 or 10?) and some may stay on in intermediates until they are ready to move up. At the end of the year, a progress report is sent out so you know if there are any issues. I haven't heard of Inter Foundation Associates so this may be a new scheme, however I would just add that the staff at NB Academy are really very friendly and approachable and I am sure they would be happy to give you all the information you want. I have nothing but praise for the scheme and my daughter has come on (excuse the pun!) 'leaps and bounds' since starting there 2 years ago. Best wishes

My dd does both RAD and ISTD ballet (at different schools). She is happy with both but she feels ISTD has more 'free work'-she is much older than your son at 14 but she is also keen on musical theatre and just feels any good ballet technique will be a great foundation for this career. I agree with Pups_mum it is the quality of teaching which is the important thing.

Gosh my mouth is watering! Thank you for posting these x