Yrosered

My daughter did two seasons and honestly, the thing I am saddest about now she is no longer vocational is that she won't be doing this one last year at NYB. She had two amazing years, meeting dancers from all over the country,learning from inspiring teachers and choreographers and experiencing a taste of company life. I can't recommend it enough. There are new people in charge so there may be changes but the two times she went included a residential at Elmhurst where they learnt the choreo, then we had 5 days in Birmingham for dress rehearsals and shows followed by the Sadlers Wells show. The shows had several different pieces, one for the junior company and each senior was in two. It took a wek of leave and wasn't cheap especially as we had to rent an aprtment for us etc but something I will always be glad she did. They were pretty timely with the acceptances - I think we waited 2 weels for the recall letter and about the same after the final audition?

Thank you - and to everyone who has messaged me. I'll be investigating buses to Tring and a couple of other options (and encourage her to learn a drive because my chauffeuring days are over!). And thank you to everyone who has posted over the years about life after dance and making the decision to stop vocational school. It's been immensely helpful to read those thoughts and experiences during a very difficult few weeks.

Hi. My daughter has recently stopped vocational training after coming to the brave and difficult realisation that a ballet career isn't for her. She's back in 6th form and doing Alevels and joined a dance team at school but doesn't want to stop ballet altogether. We've found a good contemporary class locally but are struggling to find a ballet class. She is looking for a high standard with some pointe and rep work, she's not interested in exams. Does anyone know any good dance schools around Aylesbury/High Wycombe which might offer what she needs? She does need to get there by public transport which complicates things a little!

My daughter will be doing distance learning at Kings International Ballet Academy - it's self led but time is set aside in their day to study. She'll also take teaching qualifications. It'll require some organisational skills and motivation but then so will life as a dancer.

I hear you!

Thanks all - a nice walk and a Farmers Market sounds like the perfect way to spend a couple of hours!

Hi, does anyone who attended last weekend's auditions have any tips for covid friendly Tring? We're staying at the Premier Inn the night before but of course, no food is available including breakfast. Did anyone get takeaways delivered and what did you do for the 2.5 hours of the audition with no cafes etc open? All tips gratefully received!

We had an email with details on 1 March with timings and instructions - so probably worth getting in touch to double check!

Hi, I'd be really grateful for a DM from anyone with a child studying vocationally at Kings with some feedback on their experience. Thanks!

Thank you! Definitely something to consider - I'll take a look and see what they're offering. Even a zoom consultation would give some peace of mind.

That would be great, thank you!

Thanks all - ended up at A&E where the xray showed no fracture - which I believe is common with a stress fracture so they think sprained ligament. Either way, we are going for ice, elevate and as little movement as possible. The only upside of lockdown is that at least she doesn't have to get to school. And if no improvement we'll pay for the scan. But she won't be back on pointe for finals (if she gets them) I don't think. It would be nice if the physio and hospital agreed though rather than telling us complete opposites. Will definitely drop NIDMS a line just to doublecheck. Thanks again!

Hi My daughter has injured her ankle - she sprained it 15 months ago so I assumed it was another sprain and booked her into a local physio who she saw this morning. However the physio thinks it may be a ligament or a stress fracture but said an Xray wouldn't pick it up at this point and she will need a scan. However there is no point referring her to orthopedics because they are not seeing under 18s thanks to Covid. We will need to go privately and she can get us an MRI scan reasonably locally but she is seeing if a CAT scan would be better but doesn't know where we can access one. So, does anyone have an expert knowledge as to which scan would be best and if know anywhere preferably in Yorkshire where we can get these? We don't have insurance so I will be paying. To add urgency to this she is applying to Upper Schools right now. Any advice/recommendations gratefully received. The physio isn't a dance specialist or one we have seen before but was open, had availability and works with youth sports so with travel restrictions in mind we chose her. Thanks

No, they haven't, but I wish they had! They all had switched to video before Christmas, but wanted different requirements as we went into lockdown and couldn't access studios. It's been interesting.

How I wish there had been one agreed video to be used across all the schools. The literal sweat and tears involved in creating a different one for each institution, especially as daughter needed to use my laptop and I needed it to actually work on!