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. 

12 hours ago, Peanut68 said:

I can empathise with all your feelings & situation...no idea if smoking has become a thing but I’m finding 6th Form a whole new world of asserting independence & (it feels) rebellion.... but as others on here say, it’s all part of growing up & maybe growing away from needing us mums quite so much 🙁 

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!

3 hours ago, enpointe75 said:

Has anyone had info on the dada audition at Tring? We’ve had a date for next week (19th March) but no other info? Times etc?

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! 

19 minutes ago, Balletforever said:

If you are willing or able to travel the Institute of Sports Exercise and Health (London) is very good and treats elite athletes and dancers. I know that they offer diagnostics and a dance injury clinic. I was one of the last patients to be seen there before the first lockdown was introduced. I paid privately and was offered an appointment very quickly. I cannot guarantee if they are running all services at the moment though. 

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.

49 minutes ago, Pups_mum said:

If it's any help @Yrosered I had an MRI done privately last year via a company based in Leeds, though I had the scan in a mobile scanner nearer to where I live. They were very efficient - I got phoned with the results on the same day of the scan. Obviously that was all prior to this lockdown so things may be different now, but I am happy to dig out the contact details and send them to you in a private message if it's any help?

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

16 minutes ago, Pas de Quatre said:

I am not sure they have agreed the same video, just the same process.  It does say check each establishments own audition information.

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! 

Hi, do you have a picture? Definitely interested.

No space for a studio here but a portable barre and a floor square from Harlequin. Those with yoga mats, Pilates balls etc will hopefully keep her in  condition!

18 minutes ago, toursenlair said:

 

"Sean Lake"

 

Best response to autocorrect typo!!

2 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

Leeds Grand Theatre has formally closed today.  At least we managed to see the premiere of Northern Ballet's Geisha.

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Closure Update

Following official government advice issued on Monday 16 March, which stipulates that people should avoid public buildings, including theatres, we regret to announce that Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House Ltd. will close from today to help slow the spread of coronavirus. Both Leeds Grand Theatre and City Varieties Music Hall will cease public performances from Tuesday 17 March. We will be in touch regarding the options available to you for refunds or transfers to other performances, but as you will appreciate, we will prioritise the performances closest to today then be in touch with customers who have tickets booked to future shows as the length of closure becomes clearer. Please bear with us – we will contact customers on an ongoing basis. Our customer service teams will be very busy so please do not email or telephone regarding your booking, you will hear from us in due course. This is an unprecedented event for our venues – combined, we have been open for over 300 years - our future is now uncertain. Thank you for your continued support and loyalty. Best wishes Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House

I just received my cancellation email for Geisha: choice of donate, refund, credit or rebook tickets for Merlin. I chose the Merlin option. With Sean Lake, Geisha and Dante tickets likely to be cancelled I can't afford to just donate especially with train tickets for Sunday I can't use, but rebooking seems like a good compromise. 

Although state schools have all ensured contingencies are in place and some are circulating them,  they have to follow the Dept of Education guidance which right now is business as usual with extra hand washing and I suspect they're hoping to get as close to Easter as possible before closing.

As for Finals, I can't imagine those being cancelled without a direct government edict. These schools need to budget and plan for September and they need finals to do that so if they can hold them I am sure they will. But the uncertainty is very stressful and I feel for you all.

13 minutes ago, capybara said:

 

I suspect that, given the response definition to the coronavirus outbreak will be changing today from 'contain' to 'delay', we shall be seeing a range of measures being introduced at the ROH itself.

But how lovely that people have been able to attend and enjoy two super performances this week and have shared them on here.

 

 

Selfishly I am very much hoping for a bit longer of business as usual as I have amphi front row seats for next Sunday's matinee. A Sunday matinee is all that's doable for us in term time and they're pretty rare so I was thrilled to get these! And we have Geisha the night before as well... 

However, these are extraordinary times and there are far far bigger problems than ballet tickets obviously!

28 minutes ago, NJH said:

 there simply isn't the number of Jobbing pro  dancers / triple threat folx  in 'Yorkshire'  to support it ( plus also for the Leeds / Bradford crowd it's not that  far / long to pop across to KNT ), i've no insight into  the books of DW or Pineapple, but  observation suggests  that even  Inter  and General  classes are  populated with a significant number of   performing arts  pros ... 

I also think that  both pineapple and DW  make a far amount of money from   studios being used for auditions / castings  etc ...  

we have the situation in the Midlands and the North that there are patches of  very good  provision but  it's still no where near  the volumes  that London is  able to sustain  especially at or above Intermediate / General  Level 

I was being a little tongue in cheek although as I have no knowledge of how to use emojis it's hard to tell I admit! Although my daughter did say she thought there was only one professional in the Danceworks class she attended and that although the teacher is does teach company level most people seemed to be there for hobby/pleasure but the class catered for both levels. 

If we ever did get the fast affordable trans Pennine we have been promised forever then those pockets could be nicely joined up and a business model look more realistic...

19 hours ago, Kate_N said:

What about studios in York? 

We live in York and although there are plenty of good dance schools I don't know of any that do drop in classes. Looks like Yorkshire needs a Danceworks/Pineapple of its own,  if any entrepenerurial teachers are out there?!

Thanks everyone! Manchester is a bit far unless a special trip sadly but will investigate all the Leeds ones.

Hi

We were in London earlier this week (to see Dancers at a Gathering/The Cellist) and as my 16yo DD has missed a week of dance thanks to a virus and was full of GCSE revision blues so I suggested she book into Pineapple or Danceworks for a class. She did ballet with Louise Bennett at Danceworks who she knew from NYB and came out glowing.

She loves her training but it can be really pressurised. This was a mixed class of hobby and professional dancers and she really liked the option of taking a class for fun. 

Does anyone know of any studios like Danceworks/Pineapple in the north (preferably Yorkshire) where dancers can do drop in classes every now and then? It would be nice for her to have the option whenever she wanted to take a class for fun but crucially knowing the teaching was good as well?

Thanks!