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Danceforfun

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Posts posted by Danceforfun

  1. Just now, Danceforfun said:

    This is true on every level, I couldn’t agree more! I trained at WL many years ago1985-1990, and whilst I did have many happy times my latter two years there I was gravely let down. When entering WL it cannot be predicted how the next five years will pan out, however what is of paramount importance is that ALL children are supported and nurtured irrespective of whether their further lies at RBS or not, they should be helped to embrace change as a gradual progression and feedback should be ongoing and transparent. Each child should be celebrated and with correct guidance will naturally feel empowered to seek their own destiny, they should not be hidden away nor shamed! 

    Just to add! Children can only thrive if they are happy and cared for!

    • Like 8
  2. On 23/09/2023 at 11:26, Ruby Foo said:

    My dd had a relatively happy time at WL with a couple of wonderful and talented teachers ( one in particular) who were encouraging annd supportive and bringing out the best in my dd. However, that was not the case for every student which my daughter witnessed. And that’s what this thread is about. Those who are damaged unnecessarily. And it is unnecessary. There doesn’t need to be any assessments if the AD made it his job to know his students by teaching them. Not knowing a student’s name after 5 years is plainly not acceptable and frankly terrible management. If students were treated as individuals, collaborators in their own training they would know themselves, that staying at RBS would not be productive for them. It wouldn’t be some traumatic shock because it would have been discussed in a healthy, positive respectful manner long before the event and students who’s best interests lay elsewhere would have been supported- not just in one, one off meeting, but along the journey, building their relationships with other schools, other forms of dance, choreography, teaching etc. 

    No one needs to be told to leave the year before graduation. There are no replacements in that year so why? 
    Why? Because the graduation year is the representative year for RBS and they can’t show anybody who doesn’t meet the standard. Well, that’s fair but part of that standard is their own teaching and they have to be, at least partly accountable for that. My dd wasted several years being demolished by one teacher and regularly told her ‘ basics’ weren’t there by another.

    I would ask ‘ why were the basics not there after 3 years at WL?  Especially as when she auditioned for the school the AD asked her  in the interview for yr9 ’Where did that beautiful technique come from’ ? So where did that beautiful technique go? That is a question. Dd would have accepted she was not to be ‘ shown’ to the world if she could have stayed and finished her degree. She would have traded being invisible to finish her degree.
    Academic work was always important to her and she worked hard for 2 years to get a degree.

    The school will tell you they help you after assessment. I would say that’s an extremely generous spin on what actually happens. For a start, they have never bothered to get to know you so they have no idea what you want to do and while they will put you in a studio and film an audition sequence for the schools you’ve written on your list, it is deeply impersonal and its obvious it’s just procedure.

    There are no meetings with the AD, as I said, he remains an enigma.

    I also know that after been assessed out students are expected to hang about the studios while others are in rehearsals for their performances. Not a nice place to be or a useful place to be.

    So the fact that my daughter had a reasonably happy time for some of the years at RBS does not change the fact that the core practices and values do not connect to healthy practices.

    This is true on every level, I couldn’t agree more! I trained at WL many years ago1985-1990, and whilst I did have many happy times my latter two years there I was gravely let down. When entering WL it cannot be predicted how the next five years will pan out, however what is of paramount importance is that ALL children are supported and nurtured irrespective of whether their further lies at RBS or not, they should be helped to embrace change as a gradual progression and feedback should be ongoing and transparent. Each child should be celebrated and with correct guidance will naturally feel empowered to seek their own destiny, they should not be hidden away nor shamed! 

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  3. I have just seen a recent post on a high profile social media savvy dance school with a post of pupils en pointe as young as year 4, so only 8 or 9 years old, so irresponsible of the teachers, there is no hurry at all to start en pointe. 

  4. I think it is only a matter of time before the cover is blown on abusive dance teachers as well. I have first hand experience of both abuse at vocational schools and also part-time dance schools. Listening to the statements from gymnasts it was so similar to experiences I myself have had as a young pupil many years ago at a top vocational school, but also some of my pupils at my own dance school that have disclosed some of their own experiences at their previous dance schools. I implore young dancers and parents to come forwards you have a voice and it needs to be heard! The teachers/abusers think they are untouchable but it will catch them out in the end. 

    • Like 9
  5. I was responsible for writing the post you have spoken about, yes I have had some horrendous abuse! But I stand by every word I wrote, I have trained some stunning students who have gone on to become current senior soloists in leading ballet companies alongside current west end performers, but the thing that I am most proud of is the articulate well adjusted young adults I have also had the pleasure of nurturing over many years. Please message me if you are interested in the matters I have discussed, the only way to bring about change is by uniting!

     

    The current STATE of the Dance World

    I have thought long and hard about writing this post, but I feel as a teacher who is passionate about nurturing young dancers, I think someone needs to stand up to what is becoming a very dangerous and incestuous environment in which to train pupils and students.

    Teachers are Teachers whether it’s in the academic sector or dance and many would do well to remember that, too many overstep the mark and borders that really should be very clear become merged to the extent that children become vulnerable. Social media is a great tool but used excessively and with inappropriate motivation it is dangerous. 

    Parents, dance is not a quick fix nor is it all about child stardom, if you want to survive in this industry you need longevity, do not be swayed by the promise of instant fame but instead understand that a teacher that really cares, is the one that grafts “quietly” with your child in the studio with a structured timetable, instead of the one that is looking for the next big promotional event that will escalate their own personal status. 

    We as teachers are here to guide our pupils, yes to train and to train with intent, purpose and consistency, but also with due care and consideration for the individual. Not as in some cases to the extent that we ”break” children, I re-iterate “children” how is it acceptable to train in excess of 70 hours a week, and more importantly for this to be boasted about openly on Social Media. This is against the law for professionals let alone children. However without the presence of an independent governing society that has the power to monitor such activity and ultimately to stop it happening, teachers have a free reign to do as they please at the expense of your child’s health and welfare.

    Another area of grave concern, is the obsession with teachers feeling the need to constantly post excessive videos online, I beg you to question what happens to the other 15 pupils standing on the sidelines, when these videos are being produced? ask yourself is this your child? In which case is It the right school for your son/daughter? Yes an occasional video but surely teachers are there to teach, that is what they are paid to do!

    Teachers need to also understand that at all times they must act appropriately online, therefore how can a principal of a dance school ask for advice on her Facebook page about a specific named diet pill and where she can obtain them when she is in the position of guiding teenage dance pupils some of whom quite possibly could be feeling vulnerable about their own body image, how is this acceptable?

    Equally so to use such language as “love you so much” on a continual basis to pupils of all ages again totally inappropriate. When is the (dance) world going to see that surely this cannot be in the best interest of our young people, this kind of behavior is unacceptable in the academic sector so why are we allowing it to happen in the dance sector? 

    I do hope that if you have read this post you will take the time to think about it seriously, Surely our children are the most precious things in the world they need to be protected.

    • Like 17
  6. I would also highly recommend Centre Pointe in Manchester, on their social media they have recently just announced that one of their pupils has just got RAD Advanced 2 with 96 marks Distinction. They have a very experienced RAD faculty and are renowned for getting exemplary results. 

    • Like 1
  7. Unfortunately it’s not getting better it’s getting worse and until we have an independent governing body that can have powers required to investigate serious complaints against dance teachers ( I am talking independent part time schools) then our children are subject to atrocious behaviour both mental and physically harming. We have several schools that have styled themselves on a famous oversized American woman!!! And as this teaching method of bullying has been celebrated on tv some individuals think it is the only way to succeed 

    • Like 1
  8. Centre Pointe Manchester are launching their BTech extended diploma in Dance this September and are currently auditioning. Exceptional high standard of training with an emphasis on nurturing and individual care. Past graduates take up places in all current top colleges to undertake degree courses. 

  9. I would highly recommend Dance Essentials at Centre Pointe, from Piccadilly Gardens there are two direct bus services takes approximately 20mins. The phone number is 0161 3370300 and they stock Freeds, Grishko and Bloch. Open all day Saturday and Sunday, if it’s just soft blocks that you need then you don’t need an appointment, but pointe shoes will need an appointment as these are fitted by Caroline Wright ex RBS and current RBS teacher hope that helps!

    • Like 1
  10. 11 hours ago, Leapinglizards said:

    My friend has a DD who is subject to this type of training , the teacher seems highly regarded in terms of the choreography she produces for the big comps , 

    but the physical and psychological damage she causes to the children is nothing short of abuse.  The parents seem to become brain washed into thinking this is normalised behaviour in the dance world without questioning the fact the teacher in question has no teaching qualifications or even experience as a professional dancer , scary stuff ! 

    My sentiments exactly! The relationship between teacher and pupils/parents has to be very clear. When boundaries are broken it becomes a very dangerous situation. Pupils are desperate to please and will comply with the most ridiculous and extreme pressures placed upon them involving excessive training verging on abuse. these kinds of teachers should be locked up they are not safe and are only in it for their own gain, when a pupil falls by the wayside whether through injury or just generally feeling lost they are dismissed and replaced.

    • Like 4
  11. I understand your disbelief however I have it as first hand information, during the holidays the children are expected to arrive at 10am they then rehearse solidly for all the competition team pieces, with very little break until 4pm and then they commence with their regular evening classes until 8/9pm. This applies to the entire week. It really is that shocking and these are very young children and yet the teachers boasts about it!

    • Like 1
  12. 6 hours ago, Kate_N said:

     

    But who is doing the "expecting"? Are parents pushing children into every lesson or competition? If it is a school, then as others have said, pull back.

     

    But, please, can we be cautious here, rather than get wound up. To be frank, you say "I have heard" - so this could be second-hand or a misunderstanding of what people think children are doing ... We need evidence, rather than hearsay.

     

    Other posters' responses suggest that the norm is not 70 hours a week! And that in the main in the UK, there is more good sense and care, than the overuse you are claiming. The good sense and care would seem to be the norm, which is good.

     

    And if it's your children, then take control! No teacher is worth overworking a growing body, no matter they promise miracles.

    I do not want to be accused of defamation therefore I stated "I have heard" I know the pupil personally and therefore it is not second hand information this pupil has been advised to refrain from dance for lengthy period of time (until September) by an extremely well respected professional practitioner. The expectation to train this intensively is from the teacher and the parent feels totally backed into a corner.

  13. I have thought long and hard about writing about this topic, but I feel it is so necessary to voice my concerns about the above subject. There are so many young and gifted dancers that are being totally ruined by obsessive and excessive dance training resulting in such severe injuries. Parents quite often are scared of voicing their concern for fear of retribution. I have heard of cases where children as young as 8-10 years old are being expected to train on a weekly basis for in excess of 30 hours a week and during a week of holidays a staggering 70 hours, how is this safe? young bodies need rest and recoup time. 


     

     
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