Sam

If you are looking for SS in France, my dd did the Theilaia Stage in Lyon this July http://www.academie-ballet.fr/stages-master-classes/theilaia-stage-international/ Although the class sizes are quite large (around 30 per class), the studios are air-conditioned and it is held at the CNSMD of Lyon. The dc are well looked after, and all the teachers are from either POB or CNSMD Paris/Lyon . My dd was in the advanced 2 group and her day consisted of 2 ballet lessons (11/2hrs each), 2 repertoire lessons(11/2 hrs each), a character ((11/2 hrs) and a 'barre a sol' every day ! You can choose number of lessons per day. The prices are reasonable and you can watch any lesson you want throughout the week with a small fee. The international SS of Biarritz is supposed to be very popular with POB/CNSMD students , dd wants to do it next year

Thank you so much for your thorough reply!!

Amazing Dormouse, you are inspiring !!!

Hi there, I was wondering if we could have some feedback as my dd would love to go there next year, thank you

My dd did the summer school this year and really enjoyed it!

My dd was told last September ( age 14yrs) that she had a 'sporty body' and not a 'classical body' and that she would be better off aiming for more "neo-classical" vocational schools , like Bejart ( in Lausanne), her teachers also told her she was a bit 'soft' she needed to attack more in her dancing and that she lacked in musicality. She was upset but as we had 6 months before auditions (we are in France, so some vocational schools start at 14/15yrs) I told her just to carry on and work hard and what would be, would be. She worked very hard on her technique and started learning not to work with her thighs all the time, secondly we worked out she was lactose intolerant and so tweaked her diet , and thirdly after 4 months I paid a private, vocational school teacher to give her a private lesson to get a second opinion . With a growth spurt her legs have lengthened over the last year and with the change in technique their muscle definition has changed. Her private lesson teacher told me she was not slow, or lacking in 'attack' but was just being careful how she placed herself and that it would get better as her confidence grew and she needs to learn to breathe! Finally, after 3 auditions this spring, she got accepted into 2 schools, the one she has chosen, took 5 girls out of 95 girls auditioning aged 15-17yrs. Please don't give up, take a day at a time, there are many possibilities to dance if she really wants to Sam x

My DD is coming too, she is 15, so hoping there are a few girls her own age. She is very excited, but nervous as she has never been before and knows nobody!!!!

Hi there, I live in France and often have to supply medical certificates for summer schools and ballet school every year. Normally it is a short letter by the GP that says they have examined your dc that day , they are of good health and show no contra-indications to practising dance at a high level, then date and signature. If you want me to scan a copy of my dds letter , no problem. They also ask you to sign a disclaimer if there is a medical emergency, and I would include your own proof of insurance/equivalence

http://www.ballet-de-marseille.com/en/auditions-and-worshops I thought this might be of interest to new graduates.... (Sorry if link isn't right)

As far as I know POB have never accepted SI students into full-time training. In fact 13yrs at entry is the maximum age( and if you meet the HT/WT criteria) unless there are special conditions. Once accepted to POB they insist on a 6-month trial stage before you are accepted onto the full-time training.Students are told at the end of each year if they move up a year, redouble, or leave. In France the Conservatoire Nationales in Paris and Lyon start at 14/15 yrs, Marseille and Cannes start at 11yrs. All, except Lyon, have a partner school so school in morning and dance in afternoon, or vice versa. In Lyon, they expect you to home school, which is quite normal for sport students in France.

From someone based in Europe, I agree totally with Harwel Rudra Bejart school in Lausanne; 2yr course- Classical/ Neo/Contemporary No Fees Junior Ballet Geneva -apprenticeship La Scala , Italy I think Amsterdam too Look at the Dance Europe site that was mentioned in a previous thread and you can find out all the schools/Companies in Europe and beyond, it is a great experience for them and lets face it, if our dc want to make it as dancers, most of them may/will have to broaden their horizons outside their native country to succeed !!

I bumped into another mum in the dance shop the other week, she was complaining how her dd's pointes only lasted 6 weeks!!! I couldn't help smiling and saying she was lucky my dd's last 10days,(3 pairs/month), needless to say, all my family contribute to the pointe fund rather than buying presents for Birthday and Xmass!! Is it worth it? The look on her face when she is dancing says it all.......... Keep on dancing

Afab, We live in Lyon now, but before we lived in La Clusaz (ski resort) for 10 yrs. We had to move as I was driving 1000km a week for ballet and music lessons!! I am on my own and my job is quite adaptable so figured why not? My girls are twins (dancer/music) so figured we would have more opportunities here in Lyon!! My dd is applying fo CNSMD Paris and Lyon this year and Marseille, but is 15yrs in May, so we still have time How have you found dance training where you are?

Hello Afab, We also live in France and my dd's teacher rates the school very highly. My dd is still too young to apply, this year, but he has friends that went there and it has a reputation for hard work, solid technique and high employment afterwards. Quite a few graduates go to neo-classic companies in France like Malandain etc and the others all over the world. They train 6 days a week, with Monday off and work 11 months of the year, although the course is two years, I think.

Sorry DanceMomma, I meant we were told we would have a reply by the end of jan!! My dd is going to email them today to ask, as she has to get time off school to come over! Fingers crosse for your dd xx

DanceMomma, We too are an international application and we were told end of January! I think I might email them on Monday as we have to book flights!

Thank you very much for your advice. Of course she would continue to study her Bac on-line, which is very common in France

Hello there, wise ones I would love your advice about applying for voc school for year 11 (dd is 14) Thoughts, ideas,experience? We live in France and so GSCE's are not an issue, although I have read that there is probably no chance as students are not assessed out yr 10/ yr 11 Is it worth it for 1 year and then re-audition for 6th form places?