Ruby Foo

I would also like to point out that anyone is free to start a thread on Experience of Good Practice at Vocational Schools.

Not sure what you are looking for in terms of proof Jan? I can only recall one or two bad experiences at Ballet Schools ever making it to press over the last 30 years. Whereas I recall many articles on up and coming potential stars. Do you want me to research and find these? Would have thought that the many experiences so bravely expressed in this thread that have had no journalistic motivation should be enough to stand on their own. Some of them have stated categorically how the effects of the abuse lasted long after leaving the school. I know what I have witnessed through 8 yrs of training myself at Vocational Ballet School, 12 years of teaching, with pupils attending RBS, Elmhurst, TringPark, Bird College and Laine and witnessing their experiences, and my daughter training at 3 different vocational schools - 2 in UK and one in Europe. A total of 26 years. There wasn’t a single journalist around touting to speak us about any of the experiences I’ve witnessed or my students have witnessed. Some of these experiences have led to anorexia, self harm, a complete absence of self worth, and giving up dance completely. I’m obviously not going to name names. There have been also been many positive experiences in certain schools but where there has been negative experiences the same patterns of subtle abuse happens again and again regardless of the school or the year. I was amazed when my daughter told me a couple of years ago that a teacher never looked or corrected anyone in the class bar one student. It happened twice a week for a whole year. I remember this happening when I was training. A ex RB professional ignored everyone for 2 years except one student. Dancers progress with corrections. They pay for corrections. To withhold information that helps a student progress is cruelty and leads to students becoming depressed disillusioned and trying to find alternative solutions to becoming worthy, such as losing weight. I’m appalled this still happens. The ethos of the schools is coming from a sound place. The health teams do a great job of providing excellent nutritional information. The schools have improved in many ways and it’s great to hear that some schools have changed as direct result of a complaint. And yet the same type of negative experiences still persist. Not often maybe, but enough to produce a thread like this. What is not happening is constant awareness and a watchful eye on each and every teacher to make sure they are doing their job properly and maintaining healthy communication with students. What actually does go on in the studio? A rogue teacher can lead to a lifetime of problems.

I most certainly can provide evidence Jan. But I will need to wait till later as I will want to reply properly. This is a very important issue which has taken years and years ( and years) to come into the public consciousness and I feel very strongly that if there’s anything positive I can do to to make changes that will help make young dancers life more healthy then I have a duty to do so.

I feel I must disagree with you Jan. I feel that over the years the stories of success ( sometimes genuine and sometimes prematurely inflated) have far outweighed the many many tales of pain and abuse that have silently been borne and then buried.

It’s very good to hear that students are having positive experiences at vocational schools and I do understand your motivation in posting about your experiences in order to balance the books. But that’s not really what this thread is about! It’s about those who are suffering without a voice. And this thread gives them just that - a voice to express the pain they have been living through in silence and fear. I am speaking from experience of being in a vocational school myself and then my own daughter’s experience at one of the mentioned schools in this thread. They maybe a minority, but they are paying for a service just the same as the majority, and they have fallen foul of the contract they signed up to, in one way or the other, whether it be issues around body image or other abuse. There are many issues here that have a huge impact on young peoples mental health and not just body image although that has been highlighted. The reason these issues have arisen in the first place is because there is no independent body for parents and students to go to when problems arise and therefore the schools have been allowed to disregard these issues because students are too fearful to raise them with staff who they deal with on a daily basis. Nobody is saying that these schools fail everyone, and there are plenty threads on this forum to suggest that many students have a good experience and go on to lead happy and successful lives.

Have you thought of a weekly private lesson? For a couple of hours? Some of the RBS associate teachers do private lessons if you can find a contact for them. Maybe from the Manchester center or Birmingham? Sorry, my geography is not great. Maybe someone from Northern could suggest someone fabulous?

We have quite a few brand new pointe shoes if you’re interested? If you can pm me?

Hi I think your mindset will be most important factor in doing your best on the day. I can hear in your post some worries about not being as strong as others who are already at vocational school etc but it’s really important to put these thoughts to one side for now and to truly focus on just yourself and bringing your A game. No one can say what your competitors will be like on the day so it’s irrelevant to waste important energy on worrying. Likewise, it’s really important on the day to be totally focused on yourself. Don’t look at anyone else, worry what they’re wearing or how they’re stretching or warming up. You are there to showcase yourself and that’s all. I would look at the tennis series Breakpoint on Netflix to see how tennis players prepare for a match. It’s very interesting how ‘ in the zone’ they are and the way they get to that point. My tips - look fabulous. Wear a plain coloured leotard that is flattering and gives a nice shoulder and neckline. Thin straps are usually nice but not everyone can wear them. It should look classical and show a long leg line. A center parting bun can look nice too. Take yourself through a full warm up. It will relax you as well as warming you. Don’t worry that people are watching… that’s their problem! Tring are keen on high quality classical dancers regardless of whether they want to do ballet or musical theatre so I would focus on sound technique, flexibility and LOTS of performance. From the minute you enter the room, it’s a performance, even when you are standing at the side. Providing you are focused on your technique and corrections then try to go for everything full out to show that you give 100% . If you are doing a solo, try to show a different side of you to show you’re adaptable and willing to try new styles etc. Schools really want students who can move effortlessly between styles. Most important is to be authentic. If you truly believe in what you do and love it, then others will too. Let the music inspire you and use as much space as you can ( all the dimensions). Don’t dance on a postage stamp! Don’t worry that vocational students will be more able. That simply isn’t true at all. Everyone has their strengths and faults. You just need to show as many strengths as you can on the day! Good Luck 🤞

I don’t know the answer but I hope you find a way out of this situation and can move your YP to a more suitable environment. We have been in similar circumstances and it’s dreadful to watch your offspring suffer and not be able to get them out immediately.

I think this whole process is really important in your child feeling active in choosing the right school for them and rather than the other way round. Some questions might be What performance opportunities will there be? What exams will I take? How will I be assessed? Reports? Feedback? How many people will there be in my class? Will there be a health team? Physio? gym? And all the important stuff like sleeping arrangements, nutrition, homework From the school’s perspective they are wanting bags of enthusiasm and adaptability. Students who are prepared to try new things and work their socks off. They will be looking to see where your child’s passions lie and their willingness to approach everything with an open mind and plenty of oomph. Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Questions can range from how many nights / classes do you do? To pets or favourite dancers / ballets, favourite academic subject. How do you think you’ll like boarding? Have you been away from home before? Tring especially like to know you’ve picked Tring because you really want to go there! So having thought why you would like to train there in particular would be useful. It’s more of an informal chat about your home life, hobbies and motivation for training to be a dancer.

I completely agree with the above advice. In my opinion at 6 yrs old, a child should have plenty free time to relax and socialise and do stuff like Rainbows/ Brownies. They already have a structured day at school so it’s important for their brains to have time to free play where they do whatever suits them. We have first hand experience of the teaching at Tring Park and I can’t praise it highly enough. The associates come very highly recommended too. If it means your child gets more space during the week then I can’t see why she wouldn’t go ahead.

If you look through the threads for RBS Intensives you will find surprising results of places being offered/ not offered /wait list etc. Students who have been a no suddenly getting a place, students being offered Summer but not Spring, students being offered both! and students who are waitlisted for intensives for a couple of years suddenly being offered a WL place! So don’t give up. Having said that, there are far more international students at the summer intensives and not so many from UK. I think a lot of European students celebrate Easter in a big way or their holidays don’t match ours and don’t apply for the Easter intensive. This might leave more space for UK students. I’m not sure how many in a class at lower levels but from experience around 18/20.

We bought the Recovapro half price ( still expensive) from a physio center who were selling them off because there was a newer model. I emailed them several times to check how ‘used’ it was first. 3 years later and it’s just fine. You can’t beat a regular sports massage but this works great on problem spots and I was even told to use it on my Retriever by the vet -to boost cell stimulation in her elbows.

A massage gun is very effective and it’s right there whenever you need. My daughter used hers every night ( most students had one) whilst training and still uses it now, as does the rest of the family ( for niggles after running and tennis). I think you need to research the best gun for best performance. Sports massage is obviously great and probably better for serious, long term issues but it’s expensive, often hard to book appointments just when you need and then there’s the travel.

https://pointemagazine.com/grooming-and-sexual-abuse-in-ballet/ Not sure if this has already been posted but an important read for all ballet parents.

I agree. Applying for a day place seems an advantage. There are only so many beds! We have done both boarding and day and she preferred day.

Sorry, I just remembered - you can apply for scholarships for all the intensives.

Just to add, it might make your Dd feel a little more at ease and confident if she’s been working in certain studios before ( at an intensive )or she’s had certain teachers who may also be taking the audition class, but that’s just a personal thing and definitely not a requirement to do well in an audition. Some students say they get a feel for the school by doing an intensive and I guess there may be something in that but personally I think intensives are a very different beast than actually training somewhere.

I don’t think you would disadvantage them at all by not attending the intensives. The schools have plenty opportunity to see everything they need to see in the auditions. There are sometimes 1 or 2 students from RBS intensives who are invited to attend a private audition or given a straight offer of a place and no doubt other schools too may note an interest in a particular student while at an intensive. But the fact you have not attended an intensive will not make any difference to your Dd in the audition.

There are also many in the USA that take students into Graduate year. But maybe that’s too far and too costly. San Francisco, Ellison, Joffrey and National Ballet of Canada are just some.

I think you would be looking at schools that offer a 3 year program. In our experience quite a few are interested in looking at a very competent ‘company ready’ 18 yr old, but places are few at that stage and rarely given unless exceptional. ESB and NBA in Amsterdam and Princess Grace all accept 18 yr olds if you are what they want. It’s definitely worth applying on an individual basis.

Paris Conservatoire Dutch National Ballet Academy European Ballet School John Cranko Brussels International Ballet School Princess Grace Berlin State Ballet School Think a video is required for first stage but some will definitely want you in person for the final. We have experienced EBS and have knowledge of NBA if you want to pm me?

http://EllisonBallet.org Ellison have, what looks like a great preparation summer programme for potential auditonees including a variations intensive.

Thank you for your correction Sophoife.