Ruby Foo
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Everything posted by Ruby Foo
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It’s a very good Summer School Newdancermum. So if you can you can still go for it, would be definitely worth the effort. I am sure if you’re Dd meets the requirements, there will be a space for her.
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You’re right. Maybe a little harsh. He does have very good turnout 😂
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My Dd does the same merciless taunting to her Dad. Finds it hilarious that his feet won’t bend one jot! One things for certain, no matter how hard he worked, with feet like his, he’d never make it in the ballet world! And after seeing what really goes on I think he’d be nothing but relieved!
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Picking up pencils and marbles is a fantastic work out for the feet and will strengthen her metatarsals which is very important prep for pointe work - a long way off yet but nevertheless.
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And with the hyper flexible feet ( banana feet), often come the sway backs, which is another whole story!
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You’re right, Mummy to Izzy. Not so important to have those ‘ beautiful ‘ curves for contemporary or jazz/ musical theatre. But you would still need very strong feet that can stretch enough to create good line.
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With regards to the exam question, I would say it’s fairly usual for a young student at this level to be in a grade for about a year. This is not only to master the technique but also the syllabus work. Marks are allocated for a confident performance of the work and so it takes time to really establish the exercises and to take into account, nerves on the day. However an older student can often manage two consecutive grade exams in a year even at the upper end of the grades. I guess it would really depend on the ability of the pupil. I would be guided by her teacher and resist the temptation to rush, as getting the basics right is very important.
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To the feet question - it’s a bit of both. Some people are born with pliable feet with good arches and insteps, perfect for ballet ( creating good lines and good pointe work )Others are born with pliable feet and average arches and instep which can be improved and developed with the exercises in the ballet curriculum and extra exercises to improve flexibility and strength. However, you can only improve your feet to a degree and sadly there will be some people born with inflexible feet, not suited to ballet training at a professional level. This is because poor feet cannot maintain the correct position on pointe.
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If only I was this brave! She’s at vocational school.
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Good idea! I was a little surprised that the teacher went ahead and did this after class when her shoes are still very damp and sweaty! Its more that the bottom of the block is now very uneven which makes pirouettes impossible!
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Thank you Anna C. Will try tomorrow.
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My Dd’s teacher put Jet Glue into her pointe shoe after class which has now set into a nasty uncomfortable lump. The shoes still have life in them, only worn a couple of times, so it’s frustrating. Does anyone have any ideas how to sort this? Or is it impossible now that the glue is well set. I always find shellac so much better to use. Thanks in advance.
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Very, very well done to your Dd. Incredible news and Good Luck for finals!
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Gr 2 is perfect as the audition is simple. Confidence and performance are important though and showing off what you can do with panache. Good Luck.
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I think it would be fair to say that, although many Dcs dream of making it to RBS upper school, that dream is for a minuscule minority, whether you have been to vocational school or not - and that includes White Lodge. Important to have the dream and inspiration but as time goes on most dancers reflect on where they will best suited and expect to follow other routes, classical or otherwise.
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Sorry, wanted to add that RBS are more likely to accept your son in the early years based on ‘raw talent’ than later on, where he would need to fit in to a group of dancers who have had intense specialised training.
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There are very few non vocational schools in the UK that can provide a suitable training for someone thinking of a classical career or rather starting at a classically focused school at 16. However, there are a few, and who knows, you may be lucky enough to live near one. If that was the case then you would have reassurance that your son was receiving the type of education you wish whilst being able to support him in his training at home. It is impossible to predict which one would have the better outcome because it will depend on your sons personality and whether he is more motivated by being at home or by being away. Some kids get lost in these big institutions while others thrive. One of the issues most people find with the latter set up is that the homework becomes too difficult to cope with whilst undertaking the sort of intense training needed to achieve a place at 16. Vocational schools balance the homework with the training but obviously there’s a price to pay. I empathise with your difficult decision. We have moved twice so that my Dc can be a day pupil at vocational schools.
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Don’t have experience of upper schools/ academics that you need, but London Russian Ballet School do both.
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Sounds like your Dd has much to be proud of! Getting a scholarship to YBSS is pretty rare and mostly given to full time, vocational students. Persistence is the name of the game and having it in bucketloads! In my experience, those who have it, together with some talent and a fair amount of natural ability often go further than those with precocious talent and amazing facility, but little persistence. Magic happens when a students technical ability and strength, plot on a graph at exactly the same point as their confidence and self belief. For some, yr7, for others years 9 or 10 and so on.
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My mother, who was a ballet teacher, used to take her pupils into the local nursing home to perform twice a year. Now 84, she is in a nursing home diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and I was delighted to hear some little dancers had been in to perform to the residents in her home, recently. The staff told me it had made her day!
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This is very positive and I’m glad. Take plenty time to look at your options going forward. I would ring RAD ( Royal Academy of Dancing) and ISTD ( Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing) and ask them for a list of teachers in your area. There are plenty of other reputable organisations ( including Cecchetti!) but I can’t list them all. Scout the website of any potential new schools very carefully. You are looking for plenty of graded classes which cater for many levels of ability and signs that the pupils are doing well, not only in exams but going to good associate schemes. The classes should be a decent length in order to cover all the work. It would be useful, as your Dd is older, if potential school had a decent number of older students too - always a healthy sign, especially if some of them are doing well. Let your Dd sit in, or try out a few different schools, before making a decision. Weirdly, the school my own Dd went to before vocational school, had none of the above, being tiny and in the styx, but, as an ex teacher I could easily see that the teacher knew her stuff. I’m sure others on this forum have loads of tips to help you too.
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If you’re Dd’s teacher is a registered and qualified Cecchetti teacher ( which seems unlikely from what you have told us on this forum) then, for the safety of your Dd and for others you should probably notify Cecchetti board about what is taking place in the classes, and find a decent school pronto.
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The results are sent by email.
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They don’t send the results until all the sessions have been completed. Usually a few days to a week afterwards. The last session is London yr 7, I think on Sunday? At least, that’s how it’s always been other years
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How about Sarah Toner in North London? She is ex BRB, has a successful school and will give you an honest opinion. Has your Dd been studying any particular method? Done any exams? To be thinking about a career in classical ballet and going to a classically based upper school at 16 you really need to be of a very high technical standard indeed. Still achievable though with huge amounts of potential and hard graft!
