ScottishDancerMum

2 hours ago, Dance*is*life said:

Does she have to have canvas split soled shoes?  There are leather split soles by Bloch, with a canvas insert under the arch. I prefer these for my students because they give more support to the feet.

Yes, canvas split soles.  Her associates program insists on one particular brand only, so we're trying to find a way of making the ones she has as comfortable as possible.

I'm off to the shops today to see what I can find.  Insoles, cosmetic sponge pads... let's see what we can come up with!

3 hours ago, Viv said:

Have you considered MDM dance shoes? They do leather and canvas split soles, but have put basically an orthotic/full sole on the inside of the shoe to help stabilise the foot and provide a bit of cushioning and support. The new Intrinsic Profile is a stretch canvas split sole  and is a lot more flattering than some of the previous designs by this company! I personally don't like them for my feet, but I know girls at my studio who swear by them for injury rehabilitation and comfort in general.

 

Not sure what the stock options are in the UK but here's the website, they have 'fit quiz' which makes it pretty easy to fit yourself online  https://www.mdmdance.com/

Thanks for this! I'll definitely look into this. Her Associates class insists on the So Danca shoes but she could wear them for her other classes. Thanks! 

1 hour ago, Princessballerina said:

My dd was having pain in her heels and i put a thin round make up sponge inside to give a bit of cushioning. Seems to have done the trick.

That sounds perfect!  I'll try them tomorrow!

Thanks everyone!

Shygirlsmum - She used to wear full soles, but switched to split soles last year when she started Ballet West Associates (that's the only shoe they allow).  I remember it being a bit of issue with the full soles too, the leather seems to stop before the end of her heel, so her heel would land on the seam (we tried various brands and it seemed to just be her feet).  She's very thin, and doesn't seem to have much cushion in her feet - I just know how my feet feel after hours in dead-flat shoes!  I'll have another look for full soles for class.

Bluebird22 - I like this idea!  But Ill still have to find something that might work for her heel.  Thanks for this

CarainNZ - I think I'll get some insoles and just try it.  Anything to help her get a bit more relief.

My 9 year old is complaining of sore feet in ballet class.  She wears So Danca canvas split soles, but often the seams on the leather soles seem to dig onto the bottoms of her feet.  Is there any way of putting an insert into the shoe that won't impact how it looks or performs?  Grateful for any advice.

Daughter is in it this year, and it's different than other festivals we've been involved in.  It's got an adjudicated class, plus a ballet solo (done without an audience).  If you make the top 6 for your category, you get to dance in the finals in front of an audience in Dundee.

I've got a few questions if anyone has done it already!
Thanks x

Fab!  Once I get this month over with, I'll check times and see when we're all starting.  There's some great places to eat in the Grassmarket    We can be a mini-support network, as I think most of our kids are different levels.  

 

If anyone's up for it, we can maybe do a "BalletCoForum" Edinburgh Associates breakfast?  Once the kids are in their classes?

Am just back in town... we got a "yes"!  Very excited for her! (she's starting in the Group 1 Senior class, so 8-10 year olds, I think?)

I heard it was pretty busy this year.  Good luck, Diddydancer!

We are waiting with baited breath as well.  When Daughter auctioned for Junior Associates last year, we hear within about 10 days, but I suppose there's a lot more people to go through, plus they want to see the performance at the last session to firm up their list on the current students.

I would like to know... we're on tenterhooks here.

I love the theme from "Cocoon" by James Horner, which definitely plays into the reborn concept...
 

2 minutes ago, SissonneDoublee said:

Could it be Dance Sport levels ie novice etc? 

Hi Sissonne 

No, they seem to want grades over levels. All the other festivals we've done have been beginner/novice/senior, etc. 

I plan to put "grade X, UKA Examining Board" but was curious if anyone knew the equivalents. It's for a ballet competition, more so than a festival, and they said they wanted teachers to be precise so that the students were placed against ones at the same level.   

She took her grade 2 UKA exam last March, but won't be taking grade 3 until about October due to some scheduling delays at her dance school. So if we says she's grade 2, are we being truthful but nor correct, but if we say she's in grade 3, we aren't being truthful.  I feel a bit pinched here. 

Hi all

We are looking at a ballet competition that is asking for the dancer's grade level.  I'm assuming they are meaning RAD grade level.  

Our school is UKA.  Is there a vast difference in the syllabus that it will be problematic?  While I'll talk to her teacher this week for the application form, if we submit her as a grade 2 or 3 UKA, will she be in the right section as far as RAD is concerned?

If anyone has some info on this, I'd be grateful.

Thanks!

So proud of you!  Let us know what the exam results say

1 hour ago, taxi4ballet said:

Well, what an absurdly ridiculous attitude from them, I've heard it all now.

I've heard this too from some adjudicators up here too... they expressed a dislike for satin.  

At Ballet West, the director asks the students to wear So Danca canvas split soles with crossed elastic. They really do look nice on the foot. 

When my daughter slipped in class last year, one of our Highland Dancer mums gave me this brush to try - you use it to lift up the suede on the bottom of the dance shoe as it gets compressed and slippery the more you dance in it.  

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diamant-Brush-Dance-Shoes-HW10910/dp/B0154Q3O48
It worked great!  Lisa's idea about the water trick is another great idea... between the brush and a small spray bottle (or even a quick squirt from your water bottle), no more slipping.

Go in here knowing you can do this!  (and smile like you are loving every minute of it!)

D xx
 

18 hours ago, Notmoreshoes said:

We'll have a 4 hour plus train journey to Newcastle if DD gets in. When you live north of the central belt you quickly realise that if you don't do it, you don'

 
Four hours total, or four hours each way!?  Either way, that is a very, very long day.

My 8 year old is tired at the end of the week after her regular dancing classes, and school, and we only have an hour commute to Edinburgh to go to BW Associates.  She tends to be exhausted at the end of her session, and it's not even a full day yet (that will change if she gets in next year).  The students are "on form" from the minute they walk in the building to the minute they leave.  They don't slack for a minute and they work very hard.    

I think SarahW's comment about considering if money might be better spent on private lessons or summer schools is very important.  As much as we love the Associate program, there isn't a lot of individual attention and while it certainly helps her group work and her "team spirit", I like the combination of the program along with private lessons when possible.  I realise that RBS has a wonderful reputation, as do many of the English schools, you have to weigh up what gives your dancer the most value for time and money.  My family life, and my bank account (!) just doesn't allow for that.  

Best of luck for your auditions!

 

Teaching the dancers to do it themselves is always best (although mine is 8 and I can't imagine her pulling her ponytail tight enough as of yet to make a bun hold it's shape... but we're trying!)  

But why do we let dance fathers off the hook so easily?  I've had short hair most of my life and can barely braid, can't do french plaits, and my ballet buns are held together with pins, spray and the grace of God (definitely not skill!)  I don't see why men should be allowed to just "not be good at it".  Try!!!

(rant over, off my soapbox now...)

If you need any other information, please PM me, I'd be happy to help!  

There are several BW parents here.  I can't say enough for it, especially at this age.  She's 8... you don't know if she's still want to do it when she's 10 or 12.  We had initially planned on sending our daughter to SB Associates, but when BW started taking dancers at a younger age, we felt this was a great fit.  I know of several dancers who manage to do both BW and SB Associates.

I just saw the deadline for the applications for both schools are around the end of April, so note that for future years    Good luck with your search, and welcome here!

My daughter is a Junior Associate with Ballet West - they have a class in Edinburgh (and one in Glasgow) one day per month.  I know we have at least one associate who comes in from Newcastle.

Would you consider one of the Scottish programs?  Ballet West has been excellent, and has Juniors from age 6-8 and Seniors 8+.  I believe Scottish Ballet Associates starts in P6 orP7?  Some excellent training here on our doorstep - we're very lucky!

4 hours ago, JulieW said:

Also, I don't want to sound harsh, but it's a bit early (with an 8 year old) to be worrying about a future ballet career. Keep up the dancing and I hope she continues to enjoy it.

I totally hear you, Julie - I don't think you are being harsh.  My daughter talks more about wanting to be an astrophysicist than a ballerina, but she's really a lovely dancer so if she can do something with it either recreationally or whathaveyou, I'd be happy.  I'm not after a pro career at this point, but am trying to help her over this barrier.

This thing about cartwheels is a bit of a stumbling block for her - all her friends can do them, dance related or not.  I thought she would have loved gymnastics but it was a no go.