Pixiewoo

3 hours ago, HowMuch! said:

That interesting, it sounds useful that you’d know you’re a no on the day! 
 

Do they need to be strong at Jazz too? My DD is very much a ballet dancer, she’s done a bit of jazz, contemporary etc but never very much.

I think you'll know you're a definite no,  but still might get a no/ waiting list if you're asked to stay.  

I don't know how strong they need to be at Jazz. Ballet is the base of everything. DD has become a much stronger dancer all round since attending scholars. 

10 hours ago, Springflower said:

Thank you, thats really helpful 😀 Can you remember if the auditions were based on age groups or all together? 

There was an older group and a younger group .... but I don't know exactly what the split was.  The actual classes are split into older and younger,  but with a fair bit of cross over in the middle years! 

My DD auditioned a few years ago now! ( and is still training with scholars )

It was an hour or so ballet class with Mr Howland. At some point during the class they were split into 3 or 4 groups. At the end of the class, one of the groups was told they could go home, and the other groups stayed for a Jazz class with Miss Dee. After that they all left and we waited for an email! DD really enjoyed her audition and was over the moon to be offered a place on scholars. DD said there were other people watching the class/making notes, but she can't really remember now. 

I'm not sure if it is the same format now, but DD said the audition class was just like classes were once she started. 

Renaissance Arts are doing a  summer intensive/school over the weekend of of july/start of august. Sadly we are away, otherwise DD would be there.

Performers college in Corringham is non selective and face to face! 

8 hours ago, BlueLou said:

Have you considered Renaissance Scholars? They do fortnightly associate level classes in the Northern Ballet studios on Sundays and I believe applications are still open to audition for this September. Feel free to PM me if you would like more info. 

Highly recommend Renaissance Arts Scholars. 

There is Renaissance Arts Scholars on a sunday in Leeds ( every other week ) They usually audition towards the end of May, but i'm not sure what is happening this year. Ballet and Jazz each session, with opportunity ( in 'normal' times ) to add a vocal class and a pointe class. DD has been attending for 4 years now, and loves it. 

We're still waiting to find out if Performers College is still going ahead in person with their summer school.

Without social media DD would not have found a particular teacher who has been great for her this past 6 mths,  and has introduced her to new possibilities for the future! 

2 hours ago, Peony said:

Can’t comment about ballet schools but I think schools in general need to up their game with careers guidance. As early as 16 you’re plotting your future course with a level choices and there is very little help

and advice needed. I’ve discovered so many careers since I did my degree that sound amazing but I’d have to do the whole lot again, sure I’m not the only one who feels like this!

DD has just chosen A levels and as part of it,  had to see a careers advisor at school. ( but not a teacher from school,  a 'specialist' from a career advice centre.) 

She said that after A levels she wanted to go to college to study performing arts, and  he said she needed a plan B .... she asked what he would suggest ( looking at her A level choices) and he shrugged and said it was up to her ! She mentioned her thoughts about what else she might do/where she could go to follow those thoughts and he said again 'it was up to her'! So no advice what so ever! Probably because she wasn't wanting to go and be a dr/lawyer/teacher! 

Her school teachers have been more use!

York Dance Scholars is a lovely summer school .... but i don't know if they are holding it this summer. 

7 minutes ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

 Dd said recently that what she wanted aged 11 isn’t what the 16 or 20 year old her wants. 

My DD isn't/ hasn't auditioned but this struck a chord with me.  At 11 DD only did ballet because she had to,  in order attend other ballet based classes at her dance school, but she wasn't bothered about it! And now at 16, although she won't be heading down the classical route, she loves ballet! 

I can't help with turning or stability, but DD has these shoes,  and she's put elastics from the bottom of the heel to go round her ankle to help keep the shoe on whilst on pointe. 

Thank you to all who are posting here. It is both heart warming and saddening to read about you and your DCs journeys.

DD dances with a local school, and an associates scheme. Over lockdowns she has been attending, and is fortunate to have found, many new classes with teachers that she would have never found or been able to try before. DD is going to do A levels at a local college. She herself decided that she needed a plan B or plan C ( even if she doesn't know exactly what that is yet ), and didn't want to put all her eggs into one basket by going to a full time dance college. She loves to dance, and I hope she always does ( even if it isn't her future ), but a bit of me is always prepared to say 'enough', ( and reading your stories has given me the courage to know that it will be the right thing to do, if that time comes ) and I hope she knows that we will support her, whatever her decisions are. 

take care, wishing your DC every success, and love to you all xx

4 hours ago, balletbean said:

Hi. Just a little update, as I’ve now caught my breath. A massive change of events at the end of last week. Within a few hours and a few phone calls my DD booked the last available flight home for now. Accommodation was provided for her 10days isolation. Even more amazing was the fact that they understood her needs as a dancer and placed her in a purpose built appt with a rather large living room ideal for her online zoom lessons during her isolation. 🤞🏼 Xx 

I couldn’t be more grateful to those concerned at home that pulled this altogether. 

Oh wow.  That's lovely

40 minutes ago, balletbean said:

Oh, how I do miss those days of listening to the dance classes taking place. Due to circumstances beyond our control my DD remained in her accommodation over the holidays and was preparing to be reunited with all her peers this coming weekend. Sadly not. She will remain on her own (but not lonely) in her flat on zoom lessons from Monday. Again, due to circumstances she can’t return home for the lockdown. Safest and best way is for her to stay in situ. Due to graduate this summer. Everything crossed (en pointe, obviously). 
Best wishes to everyone learning online. Far more challenging that academic courses but with little to no recognition. 😢

Oh BalletBean, that must have been so hard for you all. 

Thinking of you and your DD. Hope everything goes well.  xxx

So .... is everyone settling back into dancing in the living room/kitchen/garage/where ever?

I'm enjoying hearing the music again, and listening to the students chat at the start & end of class. (i'm also enjoying not clock watching to deliver and collect DD from classes!, and sitting in a cold dark carpark late at night!)

I'm not so keen on losing my living room every night, but needs must! 

DD has quickly returned to lockdown dancing habits, and is taking her dance bag with her for the long walk from bedroom to living room! 😄

Our dance school does a show every other year, but apart from a 'watching class' i'm not aware of any associates that do a 'performance' per se.

I would maybe look at the English Youth Ballet, as they put on ballets around the country, with the majority of the cast being young dancers. 

I wish you could check out as well as check in to places!

DD is yr 11 .... she gets 2/3 homeworks a night,  each 40 minutes and some due in the next day.  She does have some grace from teachers who understand her 'out of school' schedule,  but she gets the work done! She doesn't start classes every night as early as she did ( straight from school ) but she is at the studio much later! Which means she is up late most nights completing school work. 

all done ( i do tap rather than ballet, but principle is the same! )

BUT .... your weight measurement stops at 69kg/154lb .... i know many dances who are bigger than me. 

This is all very interesting as DD was looking at their leotards the other day. 

What is the fit like? Thanks x

My advice is to go to a shop with a variety of shoes and an experienced fitter.

My DD has incredibly wide feet and the fitter worked very hard trying lots of different shoes the first time. 2nd pair of shoes was almost as long,  as now DD knew what they should feel like,  and had opinions on vamp, shank etc.  It's not quite such a long process now! 

If you say where abouts you are,  I'm sure people will be able to recommend shops/fitters.

Good morning all, 

I don't know if many people have noticed, but there is a 'sticky' at the top of 'doing dance' asking people if they could possible donate to keep this wonderful forum going. I only noticed it by chance over the weekend, as I tend to gloss over the 'stickys', but I'd really miss the forum if it wasn't here, and thought it worth posting a separate thread for!  I have no connection to the forum, except as a grateful user!

Happy dancing everyone xxx

Ours move to wide pointe shoe ribbon when it doesn't look too 'big' on their ankles !!!! 

I wish when we'd started festivals/competitions that I'd realised that the adjudicator can't tell if you've sewn on each embellishment really neatly or if it is just tacked on!