Peanut68

Well that’s a worry especially as many young people at these sort of classes are high level dancers who are in effect adding an unnesseary risk element when they go back to their regular vocational schools/colleges/unis.

How indeed!!!

Amazing how many opportunities are out there...& intriguing how most in Europe are so much cheaper than the U.K. as far as tuition fees???

You are relatively close to getting to Tring too....either for their Associate Classes (not sure if these are by audition) or their equivalent to Royal JA’s; Tring CBA (Classical Ballet Academy) which is entry by audition. It was the first ‘extra’ thing my DD ever did (local school only offered one ballet class a week but we’re supportive of auditioning for & attending this & others did RBS JA’s/MA’s) It’s a good way to gauge your child’s potential & also their dedication & help make future choices. And I’d always recommend first talking to current teacher; she may have god advice & courtesy goes a long way in life! good luck!

Also check with BBO.... I think there is a BBO teacher/school in Horncastle in N.Lincolnshire so might be close depending on where you are?

Oh no.... my edit button seems no longer to exist & ive seen a typo in line 1 which I bet is first of many....sorry for my erratic one finger typing! 🙄

I think where video isvinly way to select candidates (overseas/short courses etc) then the institution ought provide s generic class to follow so all using same music same exercises & even filmed in same frame so same angles etc as surely that would be a fairer way to compare students? Also if all doing the same then candidates with that extra musicality or artistry will stand out & thus judging may move beyond just leg length (& we all can manipulate the look of that let’s face it....as you say, filming from floor!) & body shape & look at the ‘complete dancer’. I do also think some (eg RBS) are missing out on actually seeing candidates & making money or at least giving value for money.... If they (& others) toured the country (even overseas) holding live auditions for their short courses then I’m sure people would feel they get something out if the let’s face it extortionate fees to merely have photos looked at (again an unlevel playing field) It would provide work for teachers/panel members/pianists & boost studio rentals - pumping some much needed money into the sector that has suffered greatly. Or even hold live auditions over Zoom.... the more apply, the more auditions they will need to run & thus more employment work will be created to help the industry....& candidates will feel they got a fair & equal chance & a class to remember & we parents will feel we gained some value for money.... hoping this makes sense?

No idea how that odd word came about but am sure all get the gist! 🤣

No compulsory video is a step forward as akwstscthink that it can be so unfair....with some having opportunity of more studio time/teacher input/edit assistance etc than others.... Only way to feel you’ve had a fair chance is to have danced in front of a panel I think

Yes nit comb (blast autocorrect text!!)

Another tip to comb back hair to get slick to head with minimal comb lines...use the narrow teeth of a not comb! Works well on DD’s (admittedly quite thin & straight hair) when she needs that exam/audition perfectly smioitg look. Think she uses water spray first then the sane VO5 gel spray others mention

Worth buying for name alone!! Is this stocked in usual type of stores please?

The Dancers Room in Lichfield is excellent! Really good for mail order too once you find ‘your shoe’

Also needs to take into account people’s circumstances.... often healthy eating ambitions can be difficult within a family setting (Finances might be limited, also the main household shopper often dictates what’s eaten/cooked or parents ‘ as eating habits’ are transferred. Also many dancers are eating in boarding school/college canteens - again may not have opportunity to put into practise meal plans etc unless others take it on too.... needs parent/family/schools to all join forces perhaps?

Actually, good point dancefanatic....you are absolutely right about the vulnerable age range.... I guess carefully prepared & age appropriate material for all age groups would be beneficial.... For us parents too....though I could imagine that if our youngsters think we are reading same stuff it will be less of interest to them....basing this on my own teens who basically think (know?) Mum is so uncool & so out of date!!!

I could see this being a good add on service vocational schools could offer.... might be worth approaching them to offer subscription terms....a good business model for you too perhaps? A fully independent (must not be reportable back to the schools to maintain student confidentiality & thus encourage take up of use) service whereby they pay you for X number of users... then offer as standard to their - I would suggest only Upper School age 16+ - pupils an opportunity for free access. Added benefit to schools that they offer this free to use service.... added benefit to parents & pupils that there is another additional element of care....can never be too many.

Really good point to raise Pas de Quatre! And personally I think you are right re: little ones changing into clothes by themselves & time taken for toilet visits etc.....I think the sports shorts & fitted T shirt is a really sensible way to assist your pupils & parents.... Good luck to all returning to teaching & I’m sure you all & your staff & pupils will so enjoy being back in their studios!

Can you clarify if this will be a pay for course/service? I personally would be very wary of anything ‘sponsored by’ or with banner advertisements etc if ‘healthy foods/lifestyle things/celebrity endorsements’ etc. But a genuine nutrition educating course....yes, interesting!

Just a bystander here really, but have many (even if they’ve not felt personally ‘affected’) decided to leave a certain institution recently making headlines? Has not an ‘emergency’ interim team been put in place to run it? I can only imagine how I would feel as a parent & likely would pull my young person regardless of financial penalties/education & qualification worries but my heart goes out to those in this awful position not of their making. I truly hope relevant places (& funding) can be found for any seeking to continue their degrees/training etc. Good luck to all & stay strong!

Lovely good news story & wise words within it for all! I do hope though that any similarity talented stand out female dancer would also gain an opportunity like this!

Great idea from Glowlight....maybe your DD’s current overseas school has links already with a U.K. establishment? Perhaps they could liaise to help your DD do one (or more if needed) term as an ‘exchange’ student. This may well be possible as I’m imagining many are not taking up places as families feel less inclined to have youngsters overseas (either leaving from or coming to U.K.) when there is real risks of additional virus ‘spikes’/local or national lockdowns & return from travel quarantines around the world..... these times are certainly troubling & future changing

I’m feeling rather shocked & ill informed....clearly I’ve not thought to read enough or ask enough questions....yes, I knew ‘private’ schools do not adhere to same rules/scrutiny as ‘normal’ state funded (how do state funded academies fit in this? And MDS/DaDa supported dance courses ARE state funded in effect) hence can employ people in roles without perhaps the ‘traditional expected qualifications’ (& yes, I appreciate that sone fantastic teachers come more from a place of educating from high depth personal experience in professional careers etc) BUT surely the safeguarding & pastoral care for anyone under 18 should still be subject to exactly the same ‘rules’ ‘regulations’ ‘inspections’ ‘monitoring’ & ‘complaints & grievances’ procedures as absolutely anywhere where young people study/play/work.... Realuse we parents can be very naive & trusting & possibly a little ‘star struck’ when looking at institutions/teachers etc....be it local/national/international full or part time courses or classes..... I truly hope this makes us & they industry’ wise up quick! We must also acknowledge that very many ‘private’ schools (including I’m sure some vocational ones our youngsters attend) do comply to relevant safeguarding & pastoral guidelines & accountability..... But it is our responsibility as adults to ensure our young people are aware of what is acceptable behaviour & what is not & to not be starry eyed or just accept where they see ‘favouritism’ as ok/normal but to question & ‘look out’ for wrong doing & look out for their peers too.... difficult I know in what has become a very competitive arena (remember they’ve all just competed for places for funding & now will do again for parts in shows, to be chosen for competitions etc & then for jobs) Plus it’s all very much part of how they look physically.....and at a time when they are only just becoming fully aware of their own bodies/sexuality/desires etc..... (this goes for males & females who can both be vulnerable & manipulated & abused.) I’m aware that it’s hard for ‘bodies’ like the RAD to get involved beyond ‘chucking members off their lists of RTS or withdrawing paid membership.... and therein lies the chief issue....elite sports & arts training such as dance NEED a truly independent regulating body to protect & support our youngsters (& the sports & arts themselves) I see a need for perhaps a new Government (not just industry) funded & publicly accountable body to oversea across these areas with specialist divisions (for dance/music/drama/gymnastics/ football/rugby/tennis/swimming etc etc etc) My musings...

I think Danceworks Ballet Academy can specifically tailor a course to an individual’s needs (& presumably budget....) Coukd be a temporary option to get appropriate level training? https://danceworks.com/london/intensive-mentored-dance-programme/

Exactly illustrates my point - thank you for sharing your personal experience Bluebird These high costs to maintain membership (& keep skills up to date & relevant) are what puts many off doing so....especially where perhaps they themselves are teaching in a low key way (eg. Running 2-3 adult classes once a week with no intention to take exams). However, this ought not negate professionalism (& indeed I guess the whole safeguarding issue is more critical when teaching minors - though again I question myself here as adults too can be vulnerable.) And I know myself adults want to & should have opportunities to take exams & perform. Msybe more involvement by the ‘bodies’ is needed & more sliding scales of membership fees based on number of classes run/number of exam entrants annually/or a levy within fees charged to pupils that could be linked perhaps to insurance thereby providing parents/pupils a level of reassurance (though can see how this would be difficult to enforce & keep a check on) Ir a while new model whereby students pay an element of fee registration....lower costs to teachers as this would be subsidised by pupil payments so in effect larger schools would ‘pay’ more than smaller.... I’m sort of thinking how annually fir my sons rugby (& I think football t FIFA too?) we have to pay 2 ekemebtsof subscriptijn - one to the RFU which includes an element of insurance & also means we parents & the player sign up to rules & regulations - not a bad idea for dance too? More of my personal musings (not from any truly qualified point I must add!)

A weird anomaly (RAD loophole?) I think often found in big & small schools alike is how often that lots of the teachers teach the RAD syllabus but often only one has ‘Registered Teacher Status’ with RAD so all exam entries go through them... I think this is partly due to the high cost/time commitment preventing teachers doing the organised RAD teacher training & lack of available funding or support (such as schools prepared to hire unqualified teachers & not prepared to invest in their staff’s continued training) & must in part also suggest there is not enough governance in the industry or perhaps enough weight or value placed in the various industry bodies qualifications? I cant imagine many areas of education where this can be the case? A maths teacher without a maths degree or diploma & PGCE (sorry if this is all wrong....am writing as onlooker not with any expertise) But then few have to totally self fund courses to become qualified in mainstream teaching subjects to my knowledge? I know there are courses (such as dance degrees with RAD & other colleges) which I presume can attract student loan financing but on the whole so much in the dance world requires a high money outlay which - esp. if teaching in a typical more ‘recreational’ school - could take a very long time to recoup. So, whilst organisations, school owners, parents & students do not demand for schools to all only employ/work with qualified teachers, then we will never have the back up of those organisations to truly moderate & guarantee standards or even be able to be at all accountable for them. It devalues their brand & even the RTS as a qualification. It leads to RTS teachers entering candidates in their name from their schools (& often even from other schools) that they have not necessarily ever taught or even met! I think there needs to a far broader shake-up of so much in the dance world..... for instance, a qualified teacher will be one who has trained in safeguarding one presumes? And to retain RTS, then proof must be provided of ongoing CPD (& I hope - but do not know - if this then requires ongoing safeguarding training/registration/enhanced DBS checks etc to comply with latest best practices?) To chaperone young dancers a safeguarding online course has to be completed....yet to assist in a dance class this does not seem to be required? This ought not to be the case surely? So come on dance world - get evaluating & get proactive! And RAD (& I’m sure others...) clean your house to close these loopholes....make having RTS with these bodies a requirement for all teachers & not merely a rubber stamp for exam entries... And this I anticipate will require many more to enroll on courses....well, surely this then could bring fees down? Especially as so much is delivered online anyway (& not just since Covid) delivering costs & mentoring & asessng surely can be recouped by more being able to participate in training if it’s cheaper to do? i ramble on again but hope people here get the gist....