sophie_rebecca

1 hour ago, Viv said:

Ha, my teacher sings the exercises too. One on a straight leg, one into plie, one on a straight leg, add a demi plie...no one ever forgets that exercise!

 

I've found though that the way I sing it in my head can sometimes lead to me doing it...not wrong, but not right either. So, for the above mentioned Allegro 2, I was sort of singing this flowy glisaaaaade jete, glisaaaade assemble and so I wasn't bring my second leg in fast enough or into a tight enough fifth. I now sort of shout to myself...glissade! Jete! Glissade! Assemble! Squeeeeeze and beat! Squeeeeeze arms stay out! 

 

It's a bit aggressive haha, but since my feet don't move as fast as my brain, it works out alright  

OMG there is no time in Allegro 2 to even think! all I tried to remember where key things, like pointe your toes, crossing thighs not ankles on the echappe battu, other than the speed the one thing I really struggled with Allegro 2 was the arms going into the first jete, arms in 3rd with the leading arm always felt wrong as you were about to change direction, tool me forever to break that association!

On 06/05/2017 at 22:06, _emeralds said:

A million years ago, when I studied the RAD vocational exams you had to learn many of the exercises in reverse also, so you did get to practice the steps that feel less 'natural' such as sissone under, jete under and pas de bouree devant etc. Is this not the case anymore?

The Vocationals got an overhaul I think in 2012 (someone correct me please) so Inter Foundation and Inter got an overhaul.

On 09/05/2017 at 17:32, balletgremlin said:

Adv F as a whole is so pretty and I love the music, especially for the port de bras.

the Adv F Port de bras is one of my favourite just behind Grade 7 port de bras dut the Adv F music makes me feel more if that makes sense!

On 07/05/2017 at 15:21, Viv said:

Also, does anyone have a good way of remembering under and over? I can remember for both assemble and sissone because then I think of the 'working leg' or the one that's in the air going over and under. But for glissades I always move the wrong way because I can't remember which one is the working leg... Does that even make sense hahaha?

I so struggled with this too, my teacher did eventually teach it in a way I could understand, basically for something to go under (behind) it'd have to start at the front & vice versa for over, so if your standing in 5th with right foot forward and it's a jete over then the right foot is going to swish out and finish behind if that makes sense, Devant means in front so the leading foot would start and end at the front & Derrriere (bum / behind) starts and finishes with the back foot. I really hope some of this is making sense :-)

As for the rest of IF I found singing it in my head worked, like the Tendu exercise, sing along, one with a straight leg, one with a plie, then we prepare the arms, and down, repeat :-)

Fingers crossed, let us know how you got on.

On the life of the shoe I'm probably preaching to the converted here but make sure after each class the padding is removed from the shoes and they are left to breathe, preventing moisture from seeping into the glue is a great way to prolong the life of shoes.

I'll try & help, I should explain I'm a trained fitter with about 2 years experience but it's hard over the internet without even seeing the feet so a couple of suggestions.

The shoes may be breaking in, if the profile height was too high as the box softens it widens and the foot is able to fall further into the box putting too much pressure on the toe, if she has compressible feet, like a larger space between the big toe & second toe you could try inserting a toe spacer like this http://www.dancia.co.uk/product.asp?strParents=0&CAT_ID=6184&P_ID=202358&sup=0 the ouch pouch goes over the top.

Talking of the ouch ouch is it a pro pad or a junior pad (if it's a pro pad only the top side will have any gel padding) 

It'd be best to go back to the shop & get her refit, they should have some padding options to try, I've seen instances where even a pinky toe protector makes all the difference! https://www.balletpro.co.uk/products/bunheads-pinky-pads?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=17692774087&gclid=Cj0KEQjwxbDIBRCL99Wls-nLicoBEiQAWroh6tHnd5IEeC3UxKP-22l63A14kt-mCTX030JxsdyrDD0aAgxK8P8HAQ

On 02/05/2017 at 14:11, youngatheart said:

I (and, I'm sure, JCS!) would also be interested to know how you got on with the unset enchainment in the exam, as you haven't really mentioned that so far?

Oh I TOTALLY fluffed the free enchainment, I thought right there I'd failed the exam, I was nearly in tears and it was written all over my face, it was based on jete's & petit assemble, the jete's were a mix of en avant I think it was the lack of a change of feet that I think was throwing me, I don't remember much other than fighting the tears and getting it wrong :'( I got a 5/10 for it as at least I was still on the music etc.

& thanks for the allegro comment that's kind of you, as you can see at the end of the clip Lynne never has to guess what's on my mind ;-) 

Just thought some more useful info for the free enchainment it'll be based on 1 of 3 movements, either jete's / Assemble's or Sissonne's, with simple interlinking steps so just brush up on those, I was worried it'd be some complex dance made up of anything in the syllabus but it's only based on those 3 movements, the examiner will talk it through with you, you'll get to listen to a sample of the music, then you'll get a full run through to mark with music then it's go time, the examiner will say if there's anything you need just ask so don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

This is a tad hard for me to explain but if you tilt your hip back and keep your core tight does it make a difference? when I say tilt your hip back if you lie on the floor and try to straighten the curve of your lower back against the floor it's those muscles, at your age there are some changes happening in the hip that can cause this the Psoas Major muscle is a likely candidate, I had a similar issue & for me it cleared in 3-6 months of working through it.

I'd be remiss though if I didn't recommend getting it looked at by a physio preferably one with experience in dance related issues, my physio used to "reset" mine each month until I didn't need it anymore.

Allegro 2 was such a nightmare! I'm over 6ft tall so changing direction so quick was a challenge, it took me about 3 years before I took my IF exam & I'd spent about 18 months working on IF specifically in my private class, what bits do your teachers think you need to improve? I have to admit I think my expression was fear the whole way through, I have a bitchy resting face too so smiling never really shows through  

I did put up the IF exam barring Variation 1 (as I did Variation 2) and the Pointe work (long story related to shoes) this was all taken about a week or two before my exam & something similar was good enough to scrape a merit.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKT8wR8jyKbsnLxprk3nxwRGaBx6FfQF1

I also suffer with Pirouettes, mostly with the turnout but also with balance, on the day they were 'ok' but not great, if there's anything you want to ask me I'd be happy to help, I took my exam on Feb the 26th this year.

18 minutes ago, Jan McNulty said:

Here is a link to the Ballet Retreat website:

 

https://www.theballetretreat.com

 

The Leeds weekend at the end of August is showing as "sold out" but they may have a waiting list.

I booked into the Leeds one in back in Jan & I believe there was already a waiting list in Feb  I don't know how long the list is but I do know they're planning to add more dates, the 15th / 16th was just announced today hence I thought I'd share it.

Just thought I'd share this as adult focused intensives are rare, The Ballet Retreat is run by Hannah Bateman (Of northern Ballet) and David Paul Kierce (Currently at Ballet Central), They are normally operated two or three times a year & book up quick! Venues are Northern Ballet & Rambert Dance, they just added another Rambert Dance weekend due to high demand (15th & 16th July ) https://www.theballetretreat.com/

I went to the January one at Northern & had the most amazing time, the morning classes are group / company classes the afternoon breaks into learning a variation, in Jan it was a bluebird variation, everyone was so friendly & helped each other out, David has a wonderfully fun teaching style & manages to cater right the way through ability levels.

If you fancy a full weekend of dance I can highly recommend it.

25 minutes ago, Viv said:

I'm not explaining myself clearly so I'll just leave it here, sorry for the rant!

I think you explained it well, I agree that it's a shame her parents couldn't celebrate her passing her exam despite having one leg which is incredible in its self & instead focused on her not getting the same grade as the rest of the class & as you say you never know if she was even as good as her class mates in that exam & we'll never know.

2 hours ago, Viv said:

Just a story for those who think that examiners we'll go easy on someone that doesn't fit the mould and thus that the candidate doesn't deserve the mark they earned...

This story a while ago was quite interesting,

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/11705540/How-I-shamed-the-ballet-world-over-discriminating-against-disabled-ballerinas.html

They do go a long way to ensure that everyone is assessed to the same standard but that does come without it's challenges as this story highlights.

A half tutu, http://uk.blochworld.com/product/R2921 just the pull on pant no bodice, optional for some exams etc 

I can confirm that soft blocks are optional for inter foundation, if you wear flats they still need ribbons, the pointe exercises are at the end & obviously you're given time to change into pointe shoes, you then do 2 barre pointe exercises, 1 in the centre & finally the reverence.

The exercises are

At the Barre

Rises in first x3, plie, transfer to side & close, x3 rises again, plie, transfer to side & close

Releve 5th, down, echappe releve 2nd, close to 5th, echappe releve 2nd, close to 5th, releve 5th, couru change feet, come down into 5th repeat

In centre

Start in 5th, releve 5th, down, echappe releve 2nd, close to 5th, echappe releve 2nd, close to 5th releve in 5th, lower & 3 classical walks, repeat.

All echappe to 2nd are with a change in both exercises, it's also worth noting that the uniform is actually optional & not points are awarded for correct uniform.

Best one I've hear from teacher to pupil was "you dance just like your grandmother" which was actually a compliment as 3 generations of the same family dance at the school & grandma is still very beautiful to watch!  

5 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

Is this lady the oldest dancer in the UK?

 

http://swns.com/news/britains-oldest-ballerina-still-showing-off-dance-skills-at-91-83816/

Doreen is the oldest to have taken an exam (Grade 6 at 61) https://www.rad.org.uk/news/congratulations-doreen & Maureen is the oldest I know of, she has a lovely story too. I've been asked to partake on a piece on BBC radio tonight prompted by Maureen so will be talking adult ballet & how great it is.

1 hour ago, Moomin said:

I meant other styles of classical- Russian, cecchetti, Balanchine, French, danish etc. Whatever you can find really! 

Ah I miss-understood you, good grief it takes all my effort to remember the RAD style  I went the the ballet retreat earlier this year at Northern ballet with David Paul Kierce & Hannah Bateman & loved it no idea what style it was but in companies like that rather than Royal / END David was telling me the dancers have more freedom, it's less working about a fully forced square leg & more working with what you've got & enjoying it rather than forcing it, was actually really liberating if only for 2 days.

1 hour ago, Viv said:

I just want to say that you've been very inspiring for me as an adult doing syllabus classes.

Thank you so much Viv, honestly it's comments like that & the others I've had here that give me the strength to get through the bad ones & keep spreading a positive message <3 

hehe the first reaction was "wait what!" then straight after "yup that says merit, <tears>"  & you're so right someone has to be seen I'm really hoping seeing my pure emotion & joy for dance helps people connect with me rather than getting stuck on my identity & demystify it a bit.

Grade 6 and IF at the same time! how do you manage the difference in flow between the two? I used to struggle to pick up the choreography but I'm much better now, the problem I have now is that I was happy with a Merit but I know in Grade 7 I'll want a gold not silver medal and boy is that going to be a lot of work! just short of impossible but not quite so still worth reaching for.  

42 minutes ago, Moomin said:

Grade 6 is a level 3 qualification too. You may like to try some different styles of ballet although I understand why you would want to stick with your teacher if she's very supportive

I probably should try other styles but I love classical so much, I respect contemporary but it just doesn't move me in the same way, Knowing Lynne she know it's something she can push me to do & she knows with hard work I can achieve it.

20 hours ago, youngatheart said:

I'm curious about why Grade 7 and not Grade 6 though?

I just remembered a whole conversation I had with my teacher about this, Giselle was written for a taller dancer so I can use my long limbs to create beautiful lines, Lynne doesn't have my long lines and always hated dancing Giselle as it made her look like a T-rex ( not my words  ) I found IF to be a bit basic or held back, starting with Grade 7 it just seems to flow much better & I pick things up faster as it seems more right / natural.

19 hours ago, youngatheart said:

I saw your videos on Youtube a while back and had wondered if you were actually going to be taking the exam as the pointe work was missing - I'm really glad to find out that you did actually master it!

Hi youngatheart,

Those video's were from about 2 weeks before the exam, we video my class every 6 months or so to help me focus on the worst areas and remind myself of how far I've come, the pointe work section isn't on there as two weeks before the exam I was having a shoe nightmare, I'm a 10UK so ordering is a custom affair and takes months to arrive, with general dancing I dropped from a XXXX to a XXX but then on hormone blockers dropped to a XX & with the weight of a 6'2" frame it was murder, knowing I'd probably lose toenails (again) we practiced the pointe section on demi rather than risk it before the exam, for the exam I wore my Gaynors which are a size too short, the wings are non existent & the knuckle on my little & 4th toe are just out of the box so I had very little support but could get right over the box.

I do get so embarrassed when that Royal Ballet School misquote keeps coming out, it's a year old & from the Times, I really don't want to detract from the incredibly talented & hard working students of the RBS, I pinned a post on FB & Twitter as journalists kept raiding my social media profiles without bothering to talk to me. 

I think 5/6 are about IF level, or at least that's what I was led to believe  Grade 7 is a level 3 exam IF a level 2 so it's a progression, Lynne has never been afraid to push me & I've never given anything less than 100% in class, it's just not in my nature.

I'm so sad we didn't trial the Repertoire syllabus, Lynne is an RAD trustee of many years and has trialled all the other new syllabuses but skipped this one, here are some more details if you've not seen them, I think there will be something really rewarding learning actual ballet variations rather than exam ones, ETA 2018

https://www.rad.org.uk/news/discovering-repertoire-a-classical-ballet-performance-programme

Quote

 

Learners have the option of taking regulated examinations recognised at the following levels on the UK qualifications framework:

• Level 2 (equivalent to Grade 5/Intermediate Foundation standard)
• Level 3 (equivalent to Grades 6–8/Intermediate & Advanced Foundation standard)
• Level 4 (equivalent to Advanced 1 & 2 standard)

The variations studied are taken from the following ballets:

• Level 2: Coppélia, Giselle
• Level 3: Paquita, The Sleeping Beauty
• Level 4: Nutcracker, Swan Lake

12 hours ago, taxi4ballet said:

By the way, in the USA I think pointe shoes are sometimes referred to as 'toe' shoes so perhaps that is where it came from.

8 hours ago, Sim said:

When I did ballet as a youngster in NY they were toe shoes!

 

Haha no way! I stand corrected, just another thing I can my USA friends with, we often have a discussion on how they call a retire a passe, confuses me as passe means to pass, so having a passe without a pass isn't a passe but a retire, they call it a passe with a pass,, so a pass with a pass  there's a few other examples too. 

Sim Thank you for the kind comments <3 x

1 hour ago, Moomin said:

Have you only been learning ballet for 3 years?

Thank you Moomin, Yes just over 3 years now, the first 18 months 1 hour a week (in term time) then 2 classes a week for another 18 months & finally 3 classes a week for the past 9 months roughly, I did go a bit crazy in the run up to my exam doubling my private lesson to 2 hours a week, I think it's the private tuition that's accelerated things, you can get so much done with that focus & Lynne really is amazing.

It's hilarious to watch the official RAD DVD's with some tiny young person leaping about so quickly & thinking, I've got to move all this like that!!! 

I've started thickening my skin and dipping into comments, I had to laugh when a "professional" dancer of a claimed 14 years called them tip toe shoes,,, never in the history of professional dancers have they ever been called that in a dance studio  

10 hours ago, Moomin said:

Yes, I don't think they did you justice in the news clip! 57 is an amazing mark, you should be very proud, congratulations! On to intermediate now?

Thank you, I've actually started Grade 7 which I have fallen in love with, the romantic style is just divine & I need to introduce more gentle & expressive movement into my dancing.

I've also really started struggling with my strength loss, short version is I started testosterone blockers last year which has been sapping my strength, it'll last another 12 or so months before the worst is over, without testosterone I have to work twice as hard to get the same effect (as any other woman) but I have the disadvantage of still having the muscle bulk / weight (this will take significantly longer to go) so my ankle & core strength is getting to the point where it's not safe to dance en pointe & inter has significantly more complex pointe work than inter foundation.

I did an interview with Buzzfeed early last week & they just produced this slicing in some of my youtube vids which came out nice, sadly I made the mistake of glancing at the comments & am taking the usual kicking.

https://www.facebook.com/BuzzFeedLGBT/videos/1480544818633198/

10 hours ago, mph said:

 

 exactly ,  and although i am none binary  , when presenting femme   people have thought i was  binary + transitioned or  a natal woman ...  which was a shock . 

I'm quite lucky in that I identify within the binary spectrum for my love of classical, other than the mice in Nutcracker find me gender neutral roles in the classics?  

9 minutes ago, BlueLou said:

 

I apologise for implying that you appeared to have been given special consideration

No worries I've had a lot worse thrown at me this last week  & I appreciate it, I don't mind the insults & all the other stuff but my goodness that grade was paid for with blood, sweat & toenails  

Hi Everyone, I've largely been avoiding the internet this week as quite honestly some of the respons to my story have been inhuman but I was shown this thread & thought I'd pop my head in.

I'm happy to answer any questions or concerns but It's worth remembering I'm human, have feelings & would really appreciate it if we didn't use '  ' around my name, regardless of your belief of my gender it's actually quite a hostile act.

Most of you have got gist here that the video you see here is after 3 hours of dancing for the cameras condensed into a few seconds by non dance editors, there's not any video of my exam just general studio for filming & I'll agree what they've used isn't my best work! the barre in Studio 1 is quite thin and pointing my toes on it puts me in agony hence that little detail.

I did complete the RAD Intermediate Foundation Exam, including pointe work and all sections without any special consideration marks or leniency, this was important to me & neither the RAD knew when I was taking the exam nor did my examiner know I was trans (any why would it matter anyway?) after someone else made similar remarks the RAD gave this response, http://88.98.84.111:81/radcover.jpg & here is my mark sheet http://88.98.84.111:81/markssafe.jpg which I'm not actually incredibly proud of, I know I can do better but I was completely overwhelmed walking into my exam, I really wasn't prepared for how emotional I'd be, I spent the whole time shaking, my legs went to jelly & I don't actually remember all of it, I just thought I'd failed and cried for 2-3 days after as I was so disappointed in myself, I think that's why the first reaction in the BBC video you see is disbelief then realisation straight after.

Talking of the BBC story, "why is this news?" why not? I agreed to do it after transgender people have taken such a kicking in the media so far this year, I'm normally an incredibly private person but thought it was worth the grief I'd get to show other trans and GNC people that there is positivity to be found, it also helps spread awareness that we are you know human after all, on top of that I know from other adult beginners there are plenty of teachers who don't see the point in teaching adults, I wanted to show them that an adult beginner could start late work hard and achieve a good grade, I honestly get such pleasure from people sending me messages that after seeing me they've gone back to or started ballet, I think it's fantastic exercise & I've honestly not met a more wonderful group of people.

If you really want to rip my dancing apart feel free to have a look at my youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcYHLpGzmxk&list=PLKT8wR8jyKbsnLxprk3nxwRGaBx6FfQF1 I posted most of my grade there for some friends who were interested in learning inter foundation, I'm not over the moon with it being on youtube but facebook sucks at managing multiple videos.

P.S. there's so much more I wanted to say but I've probably said it in past interviews & I realise this is quite the wall of text as is :-D sorry <3 x