balletbean

My Niece has just finished her 3yr teacher training degree at the Royal Academy of Dance. She knew from probably about the same age as your DD @Confusedmum that she wanted to teach ballet. As soon as she was old enough she immersed herself in helping out with the younger classes at her dance school. As well as operating the music for the exam season. She became so adept at the latter that several other schools asked her to do the same for them, which was a great insight into how other studios operate and their overall standard. She also took part in several SS’s offered by local studios. Again to experience other teaching methods away from her own studio but still at grass root level which is where the vast majority of dance teachers are. Including teaching ballet for SEN pupils within a studio. She then stayed at school for A Levels (3). I do believe that RAD may have their own criteria for which A levels they prefer, rather than a student duplicating on the ballet exams. To supplement her Ballet degree she’s now about to embark on an intensive 4 week DDE course weeks, to enhance her skills but also to make herself more employable. With so many studios now offering many genres it makes good business sense and timetable flexibility for a Principal to employ teachers that are qualified to teach other genres. Just like your DD this has been a longterm well thought out plan in the making. Which has also helped with budgeting. The only adaptation to all of this has been the decision to stay on for her Masters due to the unsettled situation we all find ourselves at the mo. Best wishes to your DD. It’s not easy to make a decision different from her peers as the pressure can be quite overwhelming at times. Not just from her class but also the mums! Teaching is a very rewarding but certainly not easy career choice and one that should be celebrated. 👏🏻👏🏻

Thank you. Sadly two of her siblings are unable to travel as they haven’t been vaccinated as yet. I’m going no matter what. I say no matter what whilst fingers and toes (en pointe obviously) firmly crossed. 3rd yrs currently in isolation. It’s going to be tight but hey they have faced other challenges during their training I’m sure they will conquer this one. 🤞🏼😳 DD’s showreel didn’t have access to any fancy technology. Just an iPhone and an old reconditioned MacBook. Besides the images of a lawn in desperate need of a mow there's also DD dancing at sunrise and the end of the breakwater to capture not only the sun but also high tide! . Hoping the stunning backdrop may distract the person watching.😉 Teachers complimented the ‘beautiful sunset’. If only! Eeerrr nope. Flippin’ freezing morning with mother 🙋🏼‍♀️standing out in the open trying to hold the iPhone steady all for the love of her DD 🥶 I do think there would be an appetite for all the outtakes from these show reels to be edited together to create a film all of its own and show others what life is truly like. Not just the finished polished product🤪 I wish your DD all the best in these most challenging of times ☺️

That is so sad. Those schools will reap what they sow over a period of time. New applicants may well be very savvy and look closely on how all schools and institutions took care of their pupils during these unprecedented times.

I’m so sorry to hear about your DC’s personal experience. We haven’t experienced anything like yours as yet. Teachers have been there be via email as some gave recently been from the pro life/auditions etc so can empathise with them. But still doesn’t take the pain away from what they all endure to pursue their dreams. I’m constantly checking out other dance reels second guessing my DD‘S but then trying to put it into context that it’s only a taster of what they can offer. After-all nearly every graduate this year and last are in the same boat. Preferably the life boat and not The Titanic 🙏🏻🤞🏼

😳. None at all for the graduating year?

I’m not too if this is any help you aren’t alone as my DD received only a few IT lessons via zoom on how to create a showreel and was left to get on with it. The final cut consisted of previous edited show clips from 1st yr, in-class videos and choreography taken on her phone and recorded by her brother (unbeknown to me) in our garden and yes I did flinch when I saw that our lawn & weeds were in desperate need of a mow, now saved for posterity on her showreel. 🤦‍♀️ I was amazed at the creativity and surprised that the pupils aren’t awarded a degree in film & media for all their efforts. Beforehand I honestly believed that showreels were created by professionals not the dancers themselves. 🎥📱💻 ps. DD detested IT lessons at her old school.

Thank you for your kind words. The older teenagers/young adults are the ones that are being hit the most and their life being impacted the greatest. Except where the vaccines are concerned. They are the forgotten generation. As if they don’t matter.

Thank you for your kind words. I’ve booked flights and hotel to attend the graduation but I’m not hopeful as the situation is not improving 🙁. My DD isn’t even coming home afterwards, as she would be sent into 10 mandatory isolation whilst I don’t have to as I’m double jabbed. Truly sucks for them😢

I totally feel your pain. NBS have had to cancel their Graduation Ball after Boris’s most recent announcement. 😢 The Ball was to be straight after the year end show. Same attendees that had been in school continuously since March, been swabbed twice weekly then performed on stage and shared changing rooms but according to the rules they can’t then sit down at a venue for a meal to celebrate their graduation (as it’s not a wedding) is beyond words. 😡😡 The show and ceremony can still go ahead with a socially distant audience.🤞🏼🙏🏻 I then see today’s announcement that they are allowing up to 60,000 in Wembley Stadium for the footie. 🤬

Hi. My DD had only just turned 15 when she attended. We sourced a little flat through Air BnB. It was only about a 10min walk away so no public transport required which was helpful. That was a couple of years ago but maybe worth a having a look. Definitely more budget friendly than a hotel as I was able to cook and do the laundry during our 2 weeks stay. Hotel living and dining would have blown the budget completely out the window.

Same here ! 🤔

They did used to have a list of contacts. Not sure if they still do. No harm in asking. That’s for sure.

The school is currently running a full programme for their pupils. The pupils undergo regular swab testing. The test kits are available from NHS, maybe worth requesting some in preparation. Wont do any harm and the kits are free anyway. 🤞🏼

Hi. My DD attended ENBS Summer intensive a few years ago. Doubtful they have changed much over the years. Happy to answer any questions you may have. Ps re packed lunches. There are plenty of food outlets in the surrounding areas for lunch. Even at the nearby Petrol Station has a mini food market. Definitely take the food with them at the start of the day as the pupils were not permitted to leave the premises during the day. Plus the breaks weren’t that long. I’m not sure where your DD will be staying but as we were in an Air BnB we were able to prepare packed lunches at our accommodation. Certainly helped with the budget. Hope that helps. ☺️

If anyone asked me now, would you do it all over again? Mmmm I may not. But then we don’t have any regrets either. We started off on a slow stroll until about yr9, winding up to the 100m sprint by the start of yr11 (audition season)!! It is terribly difficult as it’s not just one element ie homework to sort out (if only life was that simple) it’s a whole plethora of things to consider . Including demands from other siblings, work commitments, health, wealth, friendships, school trips, sports days 😩social life (what ever that is🤣) etc .......... What works for one might not work for another. By all means listen to others but don’t question yourself and been swayed by peer pressure. You will know deep down what is the right thing for your Dd and your family. I wish you all the best. Just remember nothing is set in stone, every dancers journey to their end goal is different. 🩰🤞🏼

https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0BjJtHU-j/?utm_medium=copy_link

Hi. I think the answer is in your geographical location and availability. We balanced secondary school and ballet (amongst other genres) purely because of the distance between home/school/studio. School was about a 10 min slow stroll from school. My DD was not alone as some of her peers at school also attended the same studio. They completed their homework and revision on the floor of the changing room amongst hair spray, hair grips & other parents! Goodness knows how but they thrived on the discipline and pressure that their surroundings put upon them. They did and their grades were testament to their dedication. Not forgetting the interruptions for US auditions. Everyone that applied, secured a place at their chosen School/college with one student opting for Medical School. The added bonus for us was that home is a 6 min drive from the studio (traffic lights permitting!). By the time my DD sat her GCSE’s along with her cohort were attending on average 11/14hrs dancing per week as they all had RAD exams thrown into the mix. I still look back at that time and ponder on ‘How did she do it?’ But they are all so driven focused and determined to reach their end goal they rise to the challenge. We even flew back home (after her audition) in the morning for a GCSE examination that afternoon! Pressure? What pressure 😂 Upon reflection it could have boiled down to behaviour breeds behaviour. Not that she followed because her cohort were pursuing a dancing career but rather she was ably supported by her cohort as they were all in it together. There was absolutely no pressure from the teachers at all. I can’t deny that being surrounded by others was incredibly beneficial. It must be so much harder for those who are on their own amongst their peers. ps. During a parent/teachers consultation one of teachers announced that they all wanted dance students in their class. As “they are all so focused and dedicated”. Work was always in on time unlike those students who don’t have sport or dancing as a focus. They lose track of time as they have too much time on their hands and therefore are distracted, their work suffered as a result. Just to conclude the key to all of this is to stay in control of the school work don’t let the school work overwhelm your DD (if that makes sense), maintain a regular bedtime routine, well balanced diet with a dose of fresh air ie a good walk, to escape from everything and time to talk and touch base and stay connected to their siblings. Which actually is relevant to any student who is studying for any exams be it GCSE’s or A Levels. Good Luck.

I totally agree as with our audition process we required flights as well! As we know the cost of each audition isn’t just based on the application fee. The ‘season’ can soon rack up some mind blowing costs depending on where the individual child/family live. We also approached the audition application process just like we did when selecting an academic school. Not all academic schools are right for every child. They might all offer the same curriculum but the overall ethos & teaching methods at the school didn’t match every child needs. With 4 children we soon realised very early on that no two children are the same. Yup, this resulted in multiple school runs (but that’s another story) 😩 Whilst all the schools listed are brilliant in their own right it’s just a reminder to parents that not every vocational school will suit every child. That alone can focus the mind and the budget, which is a real life reality for I would suspect the majority of parents. Good Luck to everyone approaching this process. Exciting, nerve wracking and quite demanding both physically & emotionally.

Welcome to the wonder world of ballet. No one is ever too old to embrace all that ballet can offer to the mind, body and sole. I can’t offer any advice on adult ballet classes, however I’m sure one of members will be able to help. There has been previous posts relating to Adult ballet classes, I’m unsure how to link your question to the post but I’m sure a moderator will help you in due course. ☺️🩰

Hi. Please remember those that graduate vocational school also attain academic qualifications. So they aren’t shutting any doors by attending a vocational school at 11yrs. Many also go on to achieve A levels which can be used straight away or even stockpiled for later on. There is nothing to stop the vocational pupils then applying to uni to study for any degree incl a PGCE. There’s also the possibility of applying for RAD HQ to train as a ballet teacher. A UK graduate of RBS (without A Levels) who performed professionally with several companies for about 8 years is now a fully qualified Hospital Dr specialising in emergency care in the States. Whilst dancing tends to carry an expiry date for age there are too many other careers that don’t...... The world is truly their oyster. It’s attitude and aptitude that will matter not age. ☺️

Miss Gray is loved & well respected by all the pupils. Easily to contact and very approachable should any pupil or parent have any questions or concerns. She carries the title of Deputy but to the pupils she is their unofficial Principal. Remaining in situ since the the school became part of the BIMMGroup last summer when a new Principal was brought in to oversee NBS & ICTheatre at The Dance House. You are definitely in safe hands with Miss Gray. ☺️

And create additional lines around the mouth, coloured nails, constant smell of smoke on clothes, hair, room, litter, nicotine addiction, fire hazard depending on where they smoke or rather how they discard their ash the negative impact of smoking is endless besides the obvious damage to the lungs. That’s before the subject of the actual cost of smoking. 🤑🤑 As you can probably gather I’m an anti smoker. I just don’t get it. It could be that dancers smoke to offset the hunger issues(potential weight gain). Before tackling the actual smoking there possibly needs to be deeper conversations to be had as to the root cause of taking up smoking in the first place.🙁

Oh. That is a complete change. The colour has been the same for years just a tweak on style. I remember they were from one particular supplier online so possibly waiting confirmation that the new leotards are in stock. Just hazarding a guess. 🤞🏼 If memory serves me correctly (it’s been a while😉) they were £25 each. Still looking good even after students washing and tumble drying them over the years. 😂

Hope all goes well for you. tomorrow. Uniform lists tended to be sent out near to the end of the summer term. But as the school changed ownership last summer you could find that the new administration conduct things a little differently to those in the past. Definitely worth asking the question during your visit. You certainly won’t be the only one wanting to know. 😉

Good Luck. We all receive an education where our children are concerned 😉of which I believe we all deserve an Honorary degree 👩‍🎓🙂