Confuddled

I know people who go, and who think it’s excellent. As a Never said, not much focus on publicity but instead a focus on really high quality training. My dd would have applied if we could have made the timings work, but unfortunately we couldn’t. They get some impressive guest teachers for their intensives, too.

I was also wondering what sort of parts an older girl (16, working on Adv 1) might get. I couldn’t see anything about it on the other thread, and as it’s not a classical ballet I don’t even know what parts it has!

3 hours ago, Kerfuffle said:

Highly recommend this option! It allows your DC to choose exactly how much to do, and not too expensive. Great for keeping up training in between actual intensives, which can be intense ! 

The issue with that option is that if she’s doing stuff for adults, then I (or someone else) needs to be there. I’m not happy sending her to somewhere like Pineapple by herself. So then it has to work around my work and other childcare commitments, which makes it trickier than just booking her in for a week somewhere where everyone is DBSd and its set up to be safe. I suspect it’s what we’ll end up doing, but its likely to be a lot less than she’d like to do, just because of my availability.

4 hours ago, Dance*is*life said:

Does The Place still have a contemporary based SS?

Seems to, but unfortunately not for an under 16.

Frustratingly, The Place and Trinitiy Laban don’t seem to offer any summer courses for under 16s. Central do have one, but it seems to be much more ballet focused rather than the Rambert one, which was about half ballet and half contemporary. I will also have a look at Pineapple but if she’s going to classes that aren’t set up for under 18s then that’s a bit trickier.

2 hours ago, sunrise81 said:

Can I just ask about Rambert? Was it a busy day.....I have a thread running but only got one reply. It sounds like it is? My dd will be 14 so on the junior course this summer, but is the ballet teaching of a high standard, and do they do pointe classes too? She wants to do Rambert as wants to work on her contemporary dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dd really enjoyed it and would go back if it wasn’t a clash. I can’t remember how much pointe there was (possibly two sessions across the five days?) and she found the teaching really good. She enjoyed working with live musicians, too.

Dd loved Rambert summer school last year, but the dates clash with another commitment this year. Can anyone recommend something similar? Ideally lots of contemporary, some jazz and ballet. She’ll be 15 by then, and in terms of level she’s done Intermediate in ballet. We’re London based but would consider something residential depending on cost /  location / curriculum / safeguarding.

My dd enjoyed SYB performances but hasn’t done the associates. She stopped doing them a few years ago as she realised that the girls in the ballet school and asssociates scheme were better known by the lady who runs it all, and that she was therefore unlikely to get any role other than being in the corps, which she’d done a few times. It was fun, and the lady who runs it is lovely, but dd now prefers to spend her time on other things.

Has anyone been to the Rambert summer school recently? I couldn’t see anything about it by searching, and dd is considering it as she’d like a focus on contemporary. 
 

https://www.rambertschool.org.uk/courses/young-peoples-courses/summer-course/

All sorted - new canvas ones arrived the day before (thanks to eBay) and she was told during the warm up at RAD HQ that she was able to wear them, despite what her teacher had been told beforehand. So all good.

I plan to wash them, but from experience the ground-in dirt around the toe doesn’t come out, though it does fade. I’ve also ordered a new pair from eBay, which if I’m lucky might get here in time. I find getting dd to wear them damp works to stop them shrinking too much. So we’re sorted, either way.

So after a weekend of making pointes into demi-pointes, RAD just confirmed to the teacher we don’t need them. But we don’t have any new canvas ballet shoes so it’s now a race to see if I can get some of those in time (the old ones are dirty and not exam-suitable). I did ask dd if she needed new canvas flats, and she said oh no...

I’m just hoping dd’s feet have finished growing, because then at least she can use the demi-pointes for the next exam, which I assume will be after December this year.

My dd was hoping to do her Intermediate exam without soft blocks, but has just been told they are once again mandatory. So a week to buy pointe shoes and turn them in to demi pointes (her teacher doesn’t approve of buying demi pointes). Just a little stressful, not to mention expensive…

On 19/03/2022 at 22:27, valentina said:

I was thinking that maybe a leotard like Gaynor Minden cap sleeve would be nice. It's expensive, but you could look for similar style in cheaper model.

Medium coverage below but the style on the shoulder line would balance hips. A cap sleeve might work too, like the Just Ballet burgundy cap sleeve leotard. Something that draws the eye upwards and balances hipline. Again, very pricey, but the Bullet Point velvet trim would give a nice balance. A high neck and front zip would be good for a more mature dancer( Dansez) do a nice one) or a two tone like the Jule Luster where the bottom half is darker than the top. Personally, I would steer clear of thin, strappy leotards unless she loves them.

She has always hated camisole style scrappy leotards, ever since her first uniform one. I’ll have a look at the ones you’ve suggested, as she always likes cap sleeves anyway. Nothing too mature, she’s only 13! When you say the Just Ballet leotard, any chance you could link it? I’ve had a look on their website but can just see the Freed and Ballet Rosa cap sleeves, which may be a bit low in the back for her, depending how they fit (her teacher doesn’t require a particular style, but she discourages anything too revealing). And burgundy is lovely on her, so that would be perfect.

On 19/03/2022 at 22:49, Neverdancedjustamum said:

Freed does a stunning cap sleeve leotard, with adjustable pinch front. Very similar style  to the RBS upper school uniform leotard. I can’t remember the style number but if you ask in-store in their shop in St Martin’s Lane, they usually have it in stock. Last time I purchased, it was only about £27. Very simple but an amazing fit and flattering leg line (definitely not too high like Degas).

I think we’ve got that one (Maddie?), she had it for an exam. The bottom worked, but the ruched top slid down too far for her to feel comfortable when she bent backwards, no matter how we fiddled with it. Perhaps that one with the straps shortened would work. Thanks - I’d forgotten about it as she’s grown out of it.

Thanks! I think the right brand of letoard is what she needs - hot pants wouldn’t be allowed, I suspect. All the previous threads seem to be looking at bust support, but this is a different issue, so I’ll have a look at the brands suggested.

Can anyone recommend leotard brands which are flattering for a developing dancer, who is feeling self conscious about her bottom half, for those moments when she can’t wear a skirt. She’s slim but has more hip than the traditional ballet shape, so something that minimises that. I’m looking for brands with more coverage on the bottom, but not so low on the leg as to be really unflattering. Can anyone recommend either styles or brands? Nothing super expensive as she’s still growing, and probably in a small (dress size 8).

22 minutes ago, Anna C said:

Is the exam studio very big?  If not, I’m still slightly confused as to why makeup has been suggested for Inter Foundation, and why it might help.  Did the teacher elaborate?

It’s RAD headquarters - I’ve never been there so I’ve no idea of the size of the studio. I assume they have quite a few studios to choose from? Anyway, I’m happy to go with whatever her teacher thinks is best.

1 hour ago, Peony said:

Are the boys also told to wear make up? If the answer is no I’d say it is not necessary at all

Good point. It opens up a whole can of worms about expectations of girls versus boys, gender stereotyping and societal pressure. I wish we held boys and girls to the same standards (in life, not just in ballet), but in practice society just doesn’t, and if it might help dd in the exam to wear make up, then that’s what she’ll do.

40 minutes ago, Anna C said:

Dd didn’t wear anything except waterproof mascara even for Advanced 2, so I definitely wouldn’t worry too much for Inter Foundation!   Neatness and tidy hair were the order of the day at RAD HQ - exams aren’t like shows where the lights bleach you out and the audience is miles away. 

 

Good luck for the exam. ☺️

Ooh, that’s a good point - I hadn’t realised the mascara should be waterproof.

This exam has been delayed for so long, it’s going to be really good to have done it finally.

She’s doing it with one other girl - I’ll check with her mum, that’s a good idea. 

I think the suggestions of some blusher, mascara and tinted lip gloss would work well. DD’s skin is lovely, and I suspect anything I buy would make it look worse rather than better!

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

Dd is about to do her IF exam, and her teacher has advised that she should wear make up. I’m happy to let her, but wanted to check with some of the knowledgeable people here what sort / how much? Her teacher is lovely but super busy, and it seems a minor thing that I should be able to sort out without asking her. I don’t wear make up myself, and nor does dd, so we’ve just got some left over from shows before covid. DD is a young-looking 12, if that makes a difference.

Mods - I’ve had a search but not found anything relevant, if I’ve missed it please do just link!

15 hours ago, Kanangra said:

If looking for fiction what about Noel Streatfield -  Ballet Shoes - and I think there was another one Ballet Shoes for Anna? or something like that.

She’s read that, and all the other Noel Streatfeilds as well. 

12 hours ago, alison said:

 

If she's to read that one, she should try reading around the subject elsewhere as well: some of what Ms Homans wrote has been deemed quite controversial, so a wider range of opinions should be sought.

That’s useful to know, thanks! What else would you recommend? And how come it’s controversial?

17 hours ago, meadowblythe said:

 

Just added to my list for my school library .. it's a tough one, good readers want the full version but, for example, I have limited Misty Copeland's autobiography to older readers.

 

Not a biography, and not particularly challenging but the Peril en Pointe books are great fun - a new one has just been published.

What’s in Misty Copeland’s autobiography that might not be suitable? I had a look at some reviews and didn’t spot anything, so I had planned to get it.

Peril en Pointe does sound fun - I think she’ll complain its too young for her, then secretly read it and love it 🙂

Ooh, thank you! She doens’t need Young Reader per se (she’s happily reading things like Jane Eyre) but I would prefer to avoid anything with really upsetting / mature content which apparently the first few chapters of Hope in a Ballet Shoe do contain (based on the reviews I’ve read).