PrancingMum

Thanks for the information - lots to factor in.

Are you comparing the cost of one or two weeks of Opes? Is NYB comparable in cost to EYB?

Anyone got spare tickets?

Thanks - good to know that we haven't missed it however not much information on the web site about what the process is or the cost. Where will they be this year? I can see that it was Birmingham last year. We saw the show in London last year and the standard is obviously high. We have also looked at EYB. Has anyone done both? How does it compare? Ms Sunshine, I noted that you are considering OPES instead. DDs pen friend went there last year and her parents have asked if we might consider applying so the girls can go together. What did your DD like about OPES? Sorry for all the questions? I am now confused about what we should consider for the summer.

Lots to take in here about the issues faced by your DD MuddledMama , and yourself as the Mum of a dancer, and very good comments as always from fellow BalletCo members. I was talking to DD over the holiday about her recent progress in ballet (for other reasons than your DD she has previously had issues about her ballet ability) and she credits her current strong technique, for which she has received distinctions in her last two exams after years of merits, on a new teacher who she goes to for a technique class once a week. The teacher has inspired her with her teaching and the way she handles corrections with the whole class. Looks like you need a new teacher - good luck with any decisions you make. My only other comments which echos some of what is above is that while it can be good to work on the grade above two many grades at the one time can be confusing. PS - sorry one more thought, or two, echoing what is above, deciding what she wants out of ballet, and dance more generally, is a good starting point for any future decisions as is considering quality over quantity of classes

Have we missed the deadline? I haven't seen anything yet and DD thinks I have forgotten. To be honest I did!

Thanks for the single for Saturday evening. Still looking for two for 4th, 5th or 6th.

Hi, Looking for tickets for ENB's Nutcracker. Two for either 4th, 5th or 6th January, one adult and one child, matinee or evening, and a single for evening of 6th. Anyone got anything available? Thanks.

The same cinema chain charges different prices depending on where the cinema is. We had to shop around as some were charging more than others even though they were only walking distance away from each other.

I have now contacted Miss Lewis but don't think I gave her enough details to respond with a helpful answer and don't want to go back again. Probably the best thing is just to send in the application and see what they say about the group she is put in and reassure DD that regardless of the audition group if she is successful they will put her with dancers her own height.

Hi Pups_mum, Sorry had a slight laugh to myself when I read your note - we haven't even thought about parts - getting in at all would be great - her concern is looking out of place - she is really quite tall - the girls in her dance class, where she is one of the younger ones, only come up to her shoulder as she has a massive growth spurt over the summer. I am feeling reassured but it's her I have to persuade - wish me luck!

Thank you Pointetoes - most helpful.

Thank you Pups_mum. She has done two terms of G6 and would be 12 before rehearsals start - maybe I will complete the form this afternoon and speak to her teacher as I am hoping she can talk her round.

Am I correct in thinking that EYB base the decision on junior or senior audition slot on age at the time of the audition? With anything between three and six months between audition dates and shows is there flexibility? If based on audition date DD misses out on seniors by a matter of days and as she is already taller than her peers she says she wont audition as a junior even though she knows she would then have to audition with the more experienced dancers as she looks out of place. Anyone been through this? I have pretty much ruled out her auditioning next week but she just loves the ballet on offer and I can get the audition and rehearsal dates to work for us.

DDs general technique definitely improved when she started classes outwith syllabus work and she is also now able to pick-up new steps and sequences much quicker. These attributes would hold you in good stead for auditions. I also agree with other comments about the actual hours of ballet not being as important as well focused teaching and that other dance styles will also help in areas such as musicality and overall fitness. Good luck in getting something sorted out.

Does anyone know when the audition dates for 2018 are announced? DD has been asking me since she saw the show as would love to audition this year. Even a vague idea of dates would be helpful as she is driving me mad!

On the advice on my make-up artist friend - for the cost of a slice of cake this afternoon - she has just let me go through her rather large box of tricks and has given some advice. So no real quick fixes as it depends on the type of product used and skin type but Cremine is the best all round - similar to cold cream as suggested by Jan McNulty - but does a better job with heavier stage make-up. She also uses Micellar and recommended Simple and Neutrogena brands depending on budget and skin tolerance. One of her favourites is a product made from coconut oil. The one she has is only available in the US and she wasn't sure what recommend here but said there are lots out there in local pharmacies. One of the things that she did say was the actual make-up is important and is the age of it (no sitting in the box from one annual dance show until the next) and good quality brushes that are kept clean are a good start. Hope this helps?

Can anyone give me some advice on classes/courses/associates suitable for and eight year old boy based in the London area? He has done RAD G2 and does a class a week, two leading up to exams.

There are a few affordable tickets still available - http://rutlive.co.uk/event/grenfell/

They should be noted as Educated off site but this may not the same with all local authorities. DD's friends are always surprised to see her get 100% attendance despite the number of days off for dance related activities!

Tickets on sale from 10 am - I will be poised at my PC at work. The tickets for another gala in aid on Grenfell sold out quickly - we missed out as they went within the first 30 minutes or so.

DD has done UKM Juniors and really enjoyed it so would recommend it. Class sizes were bigger but as it was at Rambert there was lots of space and not too many that they didn't get individual attention.

DD does rather fine grande jetes over the hurdles and some jazz kick over the high jump but never quite makes the medals - okay, nowhere near to be honest! Last year someone landed on her foot at the start of the middle distance - she did a good job of finishing just out of the medals but too stressful for me the week before a dance exam!

DD's friend has not been either a RBS or Elmhurst associate but was accepted for Ballet West - anything can happen.

DD is not an RBS associate but has baggy jogging bottoms for her dance school and really loves them which I was most surprised about!