Clarkd3

12 hours ago, HAIRBELLES said:

Hi Bethany

I haven't commented on the forum for a while as my knowledge isn't as current nowadays but I also have a dd currently at PCD.

It is well worth a look ,however on the 16-18 course although the DDE is financed it is only for one subject you can pay for the other two , vocational exams are taken care of as well , additionally you pay £1,250 a year for the performance package .

This includes classes and workshops from ex industry professionals some of whom work at "bigger" colleges 

If your daughter has to live away from home there is the usual rent etc we are lucky that DD travels in every day.

So depending on income it can cost you more than if you were on dada funding elsewhere.

There is an annual Choreograph competition , Christmas showcase, Annual show trips to move It and New York.

Take a look at You Tube this years Move It pieces they were fabulous .

Yes I agree, the Move It Piecess were fab! 

Guess our Dd must know each other, how weird! 

Hi my DD attends PCD ie Preston college Dance based in Preston. She is doing the 2yr foundation degree after achieving A levels in a mix of subjects including A level dance! The dance college is now able to offer a full Ba in dance, performance and education which my DD will complete with them! The dancers take classes in musical theatre as well as a large variety of dance genres and their days are full

Whilst the PCD course is challenging, A level Dance has stood her in good stead as the academic side of the course is far less daunting as a result!

The course is a mixture of furthering the students own dance levels via ISTD exams, performance and audition, academic modules plus DDE dance teaching qualifications! The college has lovely facilities, is supportive and nurturing and my DD is very happy there!

They also run a three year professional dance diploma for which it is mainly fully funded between 16/18 yrs old

Seemingly students can opt to switch to the degree course at 18 if they wish!

Past students seem to get contracts with cruise ships and touring shows plus work within dance teaching and via the annual shows the dancers look professional and well trained!

It would be well worth a look as it seems to bridge the gap between dance performance and teaching with an option of pathways and funding!

Good luck with finding the right course for your DD!

My DD has just obtained an A* in A level dance not having done GCSE dance but a background of intermediate level dance outside of school, modern was particularly helpful! She went on to get 5 offers from good universities but actually starts at dance college this week instead! Think the chemistry teacher was most put out! 😂 

As long as the students aren't applying for medicine or the like, write a good personal statement and have good predicted grades I think A level dance is as good a choice as any!

Hi all, I'd be grateful any recommendation in the Midlands area for someone to film a local dance show at a reasonable cost! Thanks in advance xxx

Primark is an excellent source of contemporary style costumes!

Hi my DD is struggling to find tap music for  an international theme solo tap number suitable  for advanced 1 level, any suggestions very gratefully received! 

Hi does anyone know of any back to school dance courses in late August for the midlands area? 

Hi, we've just seen Sharon Morris, based in Sutton Coldfield. She has worked with Elmhurst for many years as well being the physio for Torvil and Dean! 

Hi my DD has just done her first ever photo shoot with Jon Applegate! He was amazing and knew how to get the best from my daughter! I know she will have awesome photos to keep for ever! I would recommend him to any dancers that were looking for portfolios or simply a chance to capture their love of dance on film! He does different offers but for us it was one price for lots of images! Jon's studio space is perfect and so all in all it would be well worth a trip! Highly recommended!

We've had no luck with de-shanking pointe shoes, they always end up too big or so messy in the inside that they're too uncomfortable to wear! I do get that every dancer has a different requirement for the degree of softness etc but think the manufacturers could sell a soft block shoe with options of differing softness! We've just come home from our local shop with beautiful new shoes and husband thinks dd has lost the plot attacking them!!! Why do shoes give up when you're weeks away from important events too!

Hi I've been reading threads about how to break in soft blocks but what I really don't understand is why don't manufacturers sell them already soft and quiet?

Great, thank you all, seems we could either find one in a different style or just not bother! Xxxxxx

Hi my dd is doing her RAD intermediate exam soon and was advised by her teacher that she could wear a short skirt for the neoclassical variation. Any suggestions as to appropriate styles as she really isn't keen on the one sold on the RAD site! Thank you in advance x

Some years ago my girls requested fairy dust from the tooth fairy, the fairly duly obliged with a pretty glass bottle of fine sparkly dust complete with charm and gauze bag! My girls loved it and adopted it as a good luck charm for dance exams etc! A little goes in their shoes and a dab just above their wrists! They love seeing a faint sparkle which no one else would notice and it also reminds them to be sparkly!

Hi my daughter is doing A level dance having not done GCSE dance but has a strong dance background outside of school! She is loving it but on a steep learning curve as it is all contemporary based! It's not an easy A level as it still has lots of written analysis and essays combined with technique and choreography and rehearsals! Lots of dance degrees like A level dance but on the UCAS point system it simply counts like another A level! My daughter has been offered a place doing primary ed for sept 2017 but has an audition soon for dance college in Preston so fingers crossed! Hope that helps x