balletbean

Morning, My DD was asked at the start of term to test out ballet convertible tights by the local dance store. She was given a few pairs to complete a review on. The pair that won, by miles. TENDU Microfibre tights sizes come in 4-7 yrs, 8-12 yrs, then adult small/medium. She is a skinny teenager approx 5ft 3 and the small adults were perfect without any wrinkling and slipping. Not sure on price but the store doesn't supply the top end budget tights as the dancers or more like the parents are too thrifty. Curious to know what others pay for their tights. The test was for durability, fit, comfort, size of foot hole and for me washing (shape, colour and fit maintained)

I'm exactly the same. I even cut out labels in costumes so they don't show through! It's not just the knickers showing around the leg line it the telltale line around the abdomen. A bug bear of mine. No matter how well lingerie is advertised at having no VPL. Ever since I was a child dancer (a few too many years to remember) there was always the rule of no knickers for an exam (RAD and ISTD). Didn't think that was anything but the norm. Certainly stops the fidgeting with the leotard! This rule of thumb has crossed over to show costumes hence the use of panty liners especially when a costume cannot be washed.

I know many have already suggested that you seek medical advice, I can't emphasis that enough. There could there be a minor flaw in the lining of the nose or a family history but there could also be other reasons for the nose bleeds. Excessive bleeding can be the sign of another diagnosed underlying medical condition i.e hypertension, blood clotting disorder to name just 2. Nose bleeds being the first obvious symptom. Only a qualified medic can tell. Best book an appointment even if just for reassurance Good Luck.

Can I just ask the reason why there is such an issue regarding no knickers? Just curious. Thank you

Best Wishes, please could you keep us updated. My DD is researching schools for yr 12 Sept 2018 entry. Interested to know more about the process. Thank you

My DD attended a RBC Masterclass with Lauren Cuthbertson and Eric Underwood. Loved it. The mums just enjoyed watching Eric!!! Truly inspirational. Well worth it. OMGoodness, Just Clicked on the link and seen the prices. Certainly never paid that amount Wow!!!!!

As a mum with DD's that are older and was a dancer myself. Everything at this age, is everything in moderation. At just 7 years old they are still in the early days of their academic schooling. Tiredness is not unusual for them after school along with homework, so an hr of each genre per week I would personally say is about average. It also allows the time for your child to experience other interests or attend friends parties and other school events. Rest assured as she grows up and may show a keen interest in ballet there will be more lessons at the studio on offer. It will become your second home and you will be on first name terms with the local dance supply shop. Enjoy the calmness it might not last for long.................. PS Save the pennies you will need them.

Hi, I am shocked that any reputable RAD teacher would even begin to suggest a child studies IF at 7 yrs old. My daughters studio wait until a student has reached Grade 4 BEFORE they will even consider IF. RAD won't allow anyone to take the exam until they are 11! And as far as Pointe is concerned is beyond belief. You obviously did the right thing and moved your daughter. She is still very young and must still be in the lower RAD Grades. I would suggest to continue to support her at RBS JA but possibly open up her training to other genres. One for stamina with flexibility i.e Greek or Modern and also preparing her for the future. With no idea how she will physically develop over time or her passion change, to focus on pure ballet might be just too much, especially as you are not entirely happy with her current studio. Ask around, ask other mothers at her academic school for ideas. Dance festivals are also an excellent time for schools to showcase their students. Even if not taking part try to visit some in your area. Take your time and visit the studios. Your childs welfare is important and I can see from your post that you care more about that than the prestige of flying through the Grades and going on pointe even possibly picking up any long term issues with feet and ankles that may put a stop to any dancing future. Good Luck. Keep us posted. PS Check out another recent post "going on pointe too early" Sorry not sure how to copy the link over to this post.

Thank you BlueLou, I'm learning all the time.............

Love that store the selection is fab. Unfortunately the location isn't P + P can sometimes work out more than the cost of the underwear!

A trick I learnt for the little pip squeaks and the issue with underwear and costumes incl tutus. Panty liners. discreet and hygienic. Obviously subject to the changing room facility at the venue. Also works for ballet exams when they are not allowed to wear knickers but the seam of the ballet tights is rather ...... uncomfortable. So difficult to purchase suitable underwear as all childrens' knickers have garish patterns and most are low cut. PS Next go down to a size 6 on some underwear ranges.

Thanks PJW, The breakdown was most helpful. My daughter can tick most of those but replacing Musical Theatre with classical Greek and no associate programme. From reading the numerous posts, it all boils down to quality of the teaching rather than the quantity of hours spent in the studio. With a hint of Luck on the day at auditions by the sound of things. It does feel though she spends more time at the studio than at home on occasions, especially in preparation for a show or festival in in full swing. Bless 'em

Hi, What is a ballet CAT programme? Thank you

I've sent you an email Emma.

Can you give us any hints of which MT school is involved? I have a few friends with children scattered across the UK studying MT. Worried for them. Thank you

Oh, My Goodness I think we can all relate to that one! I just hope they land safely when they fall off their pedestal and enter the real world!

That is amazing. What a fantastic school. Well done on finding such a supportive Head Teacher. Now that is certainly a "good practice" that the Government could embrace and promote across the country.

I understand your comment and appreciate the pressure that teachers are under but the children do not engage with the Government they have face to face contact with the teachers. It's the teachers that can have a detrimental affect on the children if their talents out of the class room are not recognised, embraced and celebrated.

ParentTaxi, Thank you and yes, I totally understand what you are saying. At my DD dance school it is 'known' who will be awarded M or D. Even if they end up with different examiners. The excitement is when they find out their actual Marks. I was trying to look at the bigger picture (some might say nosy) and beyond the stats that RAD publish. A clearer breakdown of the marks within the awards, not really looking at individual examiners because as we all know they can vary. Now I hope that it is me that makes sense

Being a slightly older now with the experience of having out 2 children through the educational system with 2 more in reserve I totally agree with what you say ParentTaxi. I have always tried to instill in all of them the importance of a sound academic education, whatever their career paths take them. I try to put into a context that they understand in practical terms;- Geography - When you are offered a contract overseas you will know where you are going! Biology - Everyone needs to know about their own body, it will be with you a lifetime! History - Use your skills to research sport, ballet, arts. It's not all Kings and Queens of England. English - You need to read a contract or fill in a visa application, mortgage, bank loans. Maths - The bane of most students. To work out your wages/salary. Work out a bargain in the sale and the biggest lesson of all using your maths to budget when you are a dancer on a low budget. This way teachers are showing respect to those that are excelling at their 'hobbies' as many would class these activities but also enforcing the rule of reasons for a sound academic education without using the tried and tested "won't get you into uni" phrase as if that was the only bench mark as a sign of success in life. Education then remains a partnership between schools, students and parents, rather than parents and students having to keep their 'hobbies' a secret for fear of schools making life awkward when seeking time off for exams, festivals, auditions and possibly ridiculing/demeaning their talents even in front of their peers in the classroom. Teachers need to move with the times as career opportunities change. Gone are the days that it was either uni or working in a bank and that was it. Strange thing is that they don't seem to think of is that if it wasn't for all those 'hobbies' there would be no Theatre, Opera, Ballet, TV, Movies or the need for Premiership Football season tickets that they all love. Morning rant over, phew, and now going to get off my soap box and have a cuppa

We then enter in the interesting part of the discussion/debate. Take grades early and pass with a high merit or low distinction or wait, not swayed by peer pressure and pass at a later stage with a high distinction? I am personally interested to know the marks students are being awarded. RAD only release details on Pass, Merit, Distinction %'s I feel that the marks are a clearer indication of the levels of other students rather than P,M,D as there are vast differences in the marks within those awards. Sorry, does that make any sense what so ever? I know what I mean but I'm not sure I've explained myself very well, in my haze of analgesia

Interesting Bluelou "a recent dance festival we attended the adjudicator was critical of girls in the age 13/14 section who had pointe shoes on but actually had very little pointe work in their routine". My DD took her IF just before her 14th Birthday. Happy with that and her result, I was just getting so concerned when talking to some 15yr olds at SS that were Adv 1 and some Adv 2. Thinking that my DD won't have enough time to get to that level before audition. Reading other messages on this forum is reassuring. Fortunately the local dance festival No One is permitted to be en pointe younger than 13 and then have to enter a specific class aimed at that age group only. The time limit for the class is reduced but the girls have to complete a full en pointe routine. If they don't then they enter the other classical ballet solo class for their age. With the organiser being "old school" helps.

ParentTaxi, I understand but it might just make some teachers consider how or what they say in future. Which cannot be a bad thing.

Annaliesey I actually contacted RAD a few years back to ask them about their recommended ages per grade. As it was unclear whether that was age for exam or age to study the grade. It does appear to be the age at the exam. So working backwards could mean some girls start IF (thus pointe) at a very young age. As I've mentioned on an earlier message, students from other schools (that have started too early) have come a cropper as the only dance supply shop in our area have turned some girls away that are too young for pointes! It's a small dancing community and the shop owner appears to know everyone, he he no secrets here!

Oh, I really wish I had remembered that about UCAS points when my DD Mentor told me that "ballet exams won't get ******** into Uni" I will next time. Thanks for the reminder