balletbean

A smile would certainly go a long way, however, not receiving an encouraging smile is one thing but when the examiner spends more time looking out of the window than actually looking at the candidate you do begin to wonder whether you should be there at all!

Hi, there is never a silly question, happy to offer a response from my experience. I don’t think there is hard and fast rule on summer intensives or even any research competed on the outcome of children that attend back to back courses every summer and their success professionally further down the line. My DD attended her first 5 day course the summer she turned 14 (July birthday). Second two courses were the following summer, when she had just turned 15, we applied to two well known schools never thinking she would be offered both. When the offers were received fortunately the dates didn’t clash. Two weeks first then one week off then another week, that summer led nicely into the autumn that she was auditioning for a full time place. In answer to your question about costs, goodness knows, we were fortunate that the local arts trust provided sponsorship for my DD to attend the summer courses. Something I would recommend anyone to research in their respective areas especially when they are on the cusp of seeking full time vocational training. Whilst the summer intensives are obviously a great way to boost and enhance the child’s training I do believe that they are still no substitute for regular sustained training the rest of the academic yr. Good Luck and as I always say, by all means ask those not so silly questions, listen to others but at the end of the day be true to yourself, make those decisions (sometimes easy sometimes hard one) that are best for you, your DD and your family as a whole.

Oh bless. My DD loved dancing but only began to take it seriously when she was 14 after her first summer school. Lost track of the hours after that as fortunately her ballet school was a short walk from her academic school. I just had to remember what time I had to pick her up every evening. Easier said than done I might add 😂 Home was also about an 8 minute drive away. Less if the traffic lights were in my favour 🤣🤣 Oh. the story’s we could all tell. 😊🙆‍♀️🙆🏻‍♂️

Absolutely, consistency is also key as no too teachers are the same. Quality over quantity every time. Having different teachers can be of benefit with an older pupil so they become adjusted to various styles of teaching before heading off to vocational school/college but for yr6 (unsure of grade). Summer Schools is a great way to spread their wings and discover life outside their bubble (regular school/teachers).

We didn’t, I’m not sure it’s also that necessary as they can expensive. Try asking around friends & family. A friend of ours teaches A level photography so offered her services. A few odd looks from the cleaners at school though as my DD held the poses against the only blank wall in the art Dept, which happened to be the corridor but can’t complain as the photos were great and got where she wanted to be. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to be but realistically the success at the audition is not based on the merit or how much someone paid for their photographs. It’s simply a supporting aid to the whole audition process. ☺️

NBS - one audition, generally on a Monday starting mid/late Nov, with multiple dates on offer which continue into the new year after a short break over the Christmas holidays. Results announced swiftly. Unsure if the process has changed now but previously decisions on a DaDa were done in April without the requirement for actual attendance. From personal experience it’s best to choose an earlier audition date as they are before UCAS deadlines. Which can help, if successful when sourcing accommodation as NBS is surrounded by several large universities.

So eloquently put. I know of so many cases where graduates are not employed within the field of their degree. In many cases it is a stepping stone of personal development. A friend is a Fine Art graduate but now holds the highest (non political) role within local government. Ask her how that happened she laughs and responds with ‘no idea’. I do wish ‘career’ advisors were not so blinkered with their advice. ps. I should have added that many of these ‘advisors’ seem to forget their own advice when enjoying watching live theatre/ballet/TV/galleries/. The list is endless.

Feminine items. No matter the age. Easy to overlook if you don’t think they are needed yet or dates don’t match. Mother Nature can sometimes have other ideas 😉 Small sewing kit. A couple of needles already threaded is helpful. Just enough to reattach ribbons or elastics and some safety pins when there’s no time to sew. Not too sure if staff are on hand to help or expect pupils to do this but always good to be prepared.

I’m sure Beth is now at La Duca as there can’t be too many ladies with the same name within the London dance shoe business. Beth offers the most amazing customer care & service. ☺️

Again from personal experience I would totally recommend Leanne Bisson who goes under the title “Straighttothepointeballet” on Instagram. Her links are on that forum. A Grishko Master fitter. Due to circumstances my DD was unable to have an in person fitting. supplied photos, drawings & measurements. Leanne also takes into account the level and hours spent en pointe to gain a greater understanding of the dancer. Best Pointe shoe fit ever. Never looked back. Works freelance as far as I know who travels all over the country fitting pointes including visits to several of the well known vocational schools 🩰☺️

So sad to hear of so many stories like yours. The ballet world could end up losing out on many talented artists as it will be left to those that are fortunate enough to have a family that can financially support them rather than the company paying a living wage 😞

Oh my goodness that’s awful. I’m so sorry that your son had to go through that experience. Hope all worked out for him in the end 🌏🙆🏻‍♂️

Never a truer word written. My DD declined one contract after reading the very small print of T&C’s incl pay. It would have been so easy to say yes, when sitting at home at the end of one contract just wanting to dance. She just had this inner feeling that it wasn’t the right contract for her, still not an easy decision though. She was spot on. Within a matter of weeks all the stars aligned for her current contract. Living her best life. 🌏😊

How amazing, and yes absolutely. 🌎☺️✈️ Ps. We now have a world map on the kitchen wall for all my (not so little) children to pinpoint where in the world they’ve been. Competition is fierce of who can have the most coloured pins that mark their visits. 🌏😊

🤲🏻🩰🌏🤩 xx

Best wishes & good luck to your DD on the next exciting chapter of her dance training ☺️

Training is one cost but then our darlings embark on a professional career which takes them overseas our expenses don’t stop. No quick road trip or letting the train take the strain so we can watch them perform. Serious £££ are spent so we can watch them perform & living their best life. I’m sure none of us would have it any other way just hope the Bank Manager feels the same ☺️

During my DD’s recent audition/visa process we were very pleasantly surprised & grateful to be informed that once she was offered the contract they would reimburse her with all her expenses incurred to-date. I realise now that this is not common occurrence but shows it is possible.

Thank you. Makes for some very interesting reading. Not a subject that’s talked about whilst the boys and girls are still at their respective vocational schools.

Hi. Can’t help on the SS as my DD was a full time pupil however I can offer some suggestions for accommodation. There’s the IBIS, Princess Street (nearly oppo NBS) and situated next to a public car park if required. The Premier Inn at Portland place is at the end of Oxford Rd when heading towards St P Sq (Tram station). Whilst they serve breakfast which isn’t incl it’s actually more cost effective to eat at the Wetherspoons on the ground floor of the same building I wouldn’t recommend the Britannia Hotel near to the Premier Inn. 😉 For packed lunches you are slightly spoilt for choice where NBS is situated. From the usual supermarket express stores to takeout establishments. There’s also a little park to relax in away from all the traffic just past NBS on the right, it forms part of the Uni campus but accessible to all and opposite another little supermarket. 😎

Congratulations on joining the La D club. If you bought the branded shoe bags may I suggest naming them on the outside and then changing the drawstring ties to various coloured ones, so it’s easy to see at a glance which colour/style shoe is in which bag. DD found that simple change a blessing. If you didn’t maybe worth making some out of strong cotton fabric. Also do keep at least one pair of old ‘New Yorkers’ if they have a rubber sole. Not all venues have descent flooring or outdoor work would lend to rubber rather than suede soles. Good Luck to your DD in her 3rd yr 💃🏼

Congratulations to your daughter on having her own dance school. My daughter and niece are both qualified dance teachers but have to supplement their income as a TA at a primary school & another in a dance shop. I dare not add up the hours they do by the end of the week. Probably like your daughter far exceeds the standard 37hrs. But they love what they do and do what they love. Not many can say that 😊

@Pups_mum the last line of your post struck a cord. Gone are the days that dance teachers were able to sustain a living on just their teaching wages. Now you will find that most dance teachers take on other jobs to supplement their income just to cover everyday costs. Dare not even begin to calculate how many unpaid hours of work these dance teachers do in their own time 😔

Absolutely, I held out and bought my DD her first pair as an 18th birthday present. The rest is history 😏 Incredibly comfortable with soft leather, flexible soles and rounded toes ensures no toes are pinched. The unique heel also allows even the most acrobatic of dancers support. 😊

What’s interesting is that to have your own bespoke pair of La Duca’s in your own colour/design choices, whilst still up there on the scale of costs is not as much as I thought, or that I’ve just become immune to the cost of everything related to the world of dance🌏🤩😂