MrsMoo2

Next question...dance belts!! So far we have gone full seat but need to look for a new one for September, tell me your little fellas favourites...👍👍👍 xx

What I mean is they say on the box label “ladies tap shoes”.

He is an astute 11 year old and wants to know why he has to wear ladies! 😁

I have actually got some lovely ones from eBay second hand, so he’s in luck this year...👍👍👍

12 hours ago, Pups_mum said:

I don't have a son who dances, but was also intrigued by the comment about ladies' tap shoes as I would have assumed they were unisex, particularly at that relatively small size. My son wears cycling shoes and other kit that are labelled as womens, and in fact his next bike will probably be badged as a woman's bike. But there's no difference really, it's just that men don't come that small and for some reason manufacturers don't seem to think that children need decent quality cycling equipment. Ditto his next hockey goalie kit will probably be in the woman's section as that's where the next size up from kids tends to be. He will wear whatever fits him, as long as its not pink and sparkly and neither he nor I have ever seen it as an issue. I think it's pretty much the norm in unisex activities that boys who have outgrown the kids section use kit that's sold as women's before they get big enough for the men's ranges.

I can understand your frustration regarding lack of boys specific classes etc as obviously there are different techniques to learn. Are there any schools in your area with a male teacher who might be willing to do private lessons maybe?

Oooh, tell me more! How do we find out about the boys RAD classes at Elmhurst?

could possibly stretch to driving there....mmmmmmm! 😂

12 hours ago, Colman said:

Wear moi do some nice boys leotards and shorts. The zipped ones make a nice change and are comfortable as both I and my son can attest. 

 

Bloch do boys tap shoes in basically same sizes as the girls’ ones, so check the sizing and then order. (The girls shoes

are the strapped sandal type. What the Americans call “Mary Janes”)

 

RAD run boys associates classes one a month in some places - our 10 year old has done them in Elmhurst - that don’t require auditions and so on. 

Thanks ladies.

I will look into all those ideas. I just feel sorry for him sometimes.

We’re on the mailing list for the project B events, and I have briefly been in touch with KS dance last year, as it’s not a million miles away, (I trained there till 19!).

Like I say his current school is nice but I think he will outgrow it in a few years.

DS auditioned for Hammond FT last year but missed out as he was lacking in upper body strength and some technique. Sure he’ll have another bash next year tho and maybe try associates. (The solo was a nightmare, and he doesn’t do singing! 😂).

Does anyone do the CAT scheme? Just wondering if we can justify the drive! 😂😂 xx

Hi guys,

Hope this is ok to start but I could do with a boys thread to refer to. 

DS is 11, and has been dancing for nearly two years, his fave is ballet but also does tap and jazz.

I’m getting a bit cheesed off at not being able to find anything for him. Bought new tap shoes today and ended up in ladies yet again!! (He’s a 4). I try to get things made when I can find and afford them. His ballet bag came from the USA and I’m so tired of googling “freed Aaron” like it’s the only leotard he’ll ever find.

Can anyone point us in a direction of nice boys stuff? Good workshops, associate schemes??

He is in a nice school but still the only boy in his class and wonder if he’s missing out. 

We live in the NW of the UK, but will travel for the right opportunities.

Thank youuuuuu! xx

On 13/06/2018 at 09:06, drdance said:

MIDAS auditions are this Sunday but we can still add one or two people if you’re keen.  

Where are these please?? Might be a possibility. xx

We are in North Wales and prepared to travel for the right opportunities. (There’s not much here!) DS did audition for Hammond associates but didn’t get in. We’ve looked at the CAT in Manchester but just can’t commit to two days due to work commitments.

DS did a few boys days this year but think he’d like it to be a bit more regularly.

Thank you for all these ideas tho, I’ll keep thinking! 👍👍👍

Where is this please? Does it take place in termtime? 

Have a 11 year old DS who may be interested depending on cost/logistics.

Thanks, xx

Hi peeps,

DS is still absolutely in love with ballet but turns 11 in August. Hence he is now too old for the junior associate stuff. Am I missing something or is there a gap? Obvs I know about RBS mids but that would be unlikely.

What else can he get involved in? He’s taking every class in his little school.

He’d love to join some more dancing boys of his age.

Any ideas?? 

xx

3 hours ago, kcoom75 said:

Hi, My DS attends hammond associates, I believe he was in the same group as your DS.  He loves going and all the lessons but he’s quite shy and still doesn’t know many people. 

Good luck to your DS, It will be lovely to have more boys going. 😃

Awww, yes I believe they are short on boys. DS was invited to audition after the boys masterclass but then we got snowed in on the audition day!! (Live up a mountain!) Had a chat with the lady who runs it hence him being there Sunday just gone.

Just waiting to hear if he can go back in September now. Hope he can, it would make his year! 😊

How old is your DS then? Sammi is 10, 11 in August so going into year 7 in September at big school. Hopefully the transition will be a smooth one. He can be quite shy till he gets to know people. I asked him where he sat for lunch and he said on a table on his own. Wasn’t phased by it tho, he’s used to being on his own in classes of girls! Love our dancing boys...💕💕

S xx

7 hours ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Bless him.  Is he doing Summer School?

Hopefully, I did have the leaflet here somewhere, buried under pile of assorted crap! S xx

Hi peeps,

DS is still absolutely in love with ballet but at the weekend had the opportunity to take part in a musical theatre class at the Hammond Associates, as part of the day and he’s hooked! Usually he is quite shy and quiet but totally came to life in the class. He tells me he was very dramatic when he played the role of a hotdog seller! 😂😂

Got to wait to find out if he can go back now in September regularly. Do hope he can, if you could just get a little positive feedback for all his work, it would go a long way. Keeping everything crossed...🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Have you seen that YouTube clip of a Dad doing his daughters hair in a bun? He puts it in a ponytail then holds it up towards the ceiling then gets her to twirl round! Makes a very acceptable bun! 😂 xx

Just going through the suggestions, thank you! 👍👍

Hi guys,

Can anyone point me in the direction of a source for boys ballet costumes?? Seems to be a shortage of them.

I'm after a lilac number for my DS, aged 11. (He does love a sequin!)

Bit short on time too, so somewhere either in the NW or who can post.

Thanks, S xx

Yeah, he was up for the residentials when they were an idea. Even seemed excited! 

Grandparents is a good idea, he only hasn’t stayed there before as they’re a distance away but could try it...👍

Shouldn’t  keep feeding them so well obviously! 😂😂

Hiya guys,

just wondering if I could get a bit of advice. DS is 11 in August and woke up last night crying. When I finally got to the bottom of it, it was because he doesn’t want to sleep away from home. He’s got three reaidentials in the summer, one for school, one dance and one camping. He’s a very young 11, still sits right next to you, and will always come back for a cuddle. Obvs he will have to get over this at some point but how do I make it easier for him?? His sister has been sleeping over at friends for ages so seems ok with it. He was breaking his little heart last night. 😔 Any advice??? S xx

One of my bug bears this! When DS auditioned last year he had no feedback from RAD or Elmhurst. Hammond were very good, gave me quite a detailed break down over the phone. Pleasant surprise! 😂😂😂 xx

Maybe I could help, I have a dancing boy aged 11 but have experience of writing funding bids, setting up voluntary organisations, volunteer management and the third sector. We’re based in North Wales. 👍👍 xx

I have twins who both started out dancing at 4, but have gone very different ways, both started with an interest in ballet but one, the boy loved it more. My daughter, still loves dancing but loves the free expression in contemporary. Also she’s been very aware from day 1 that she didn’t have the physique to go anywhere with it despite my protestations. 

Once last year when DD saw DS going to auditions all over the country did I think she got a teeny bit jealous, and that was mostly cause he had a day off school!! They’re 11 now and go to the same dance school but do completely different classes! Suits us, but it means I spend half my life in the car waiting!!! 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 xx

Wish we were a bit nearer, sounds fab! 😊😊 x

Yeah, I’m not meaning a full report, just a quick call or a couple of lines in the “no” letter to give a few pointers as to what to work on in the future. I can dream! 😂😂

Like Harwel above, this brings back memories for me from over 30 years ago. I have been in places I never thought I would get out of but I can tell you though that your daughter will find her passion again. I was passionate about changing the stigma around mental health in the Arts. I worked alongside Mind to inspire groups to tell their own mental health stories. I spoke at conferences, sometimes to 5 people and sometimes to 500. I went on to train as a mental health nurse, I was passionate about helping others in similar sutuations and have done so many times on individual basis. I have continued to be an avid watcher of the arts, and ironically, have a DS who has just started out on his dancing journey. His absolute favourite being ballet. (Of course!😊) one of my best friends trained at RBS upper school and left in year 12 after getting involved with illicit substances, due to the stress and need for perfection in every area of her life.The subsequent drug induced psychosis nearly beat her, Bet her name wasn’t mentioned at the leavers service...😔😔

The world can be a scary place when you’re 18, but there is an immense amount of good around, you just have to find your niche...Best of luck...pm if you need any further words of wacky wisdom...xxx