AdageKitty

Just an update to the above - it seems that the Conservatoire de la Danse also do a 2-week summer programme, but this is usually announced quite late.

My friend's 9-year-old daughter attends the Conservatoire de la Danse full-time in Brussels and although they don't appear to have a summer school as such, they appear to have open classes that might be worth looking into x https://www.conservatoiredeladanse.com/cours-ouverts-classiques.html

Sorry to read about the nos, particularly those that tried again! My DD didn't get past the 2nd audition last year, but got to Finals and waiting list for the touring company this year. In the meantime we've signed up for the Auditions Masterclass with Fiona Chadwick so that's lovely to look forward to!

Ah thank you Marianne, it looks like a really good school. It’s a shame that they’re fully non-selective though as we would be completely out of the catchment area. I love their links to the RAD x

Thank for the St Marylebone tip - I will have a look. I wasn’t sure whether to include YDA or Moorland (as someone mentioned earlier) so I guess we can even make it 6! Shame that there aren’t many alternatives, however someone at Friern Barnet hinted that they weren’t the only school in London that offered the EAP and after an extensive search I still wasn’t able to find out which they were!

Hi everyone! Aside from the 5 vocational ballet schools across the country, I was wondering if anyone might know of any good state secondary schools that do dance (or at least those that support it!). Preferably around West London. I was thinking something along the lines that are similar to the Friern Barnet school that have an Extended Arts Programme. Unfortunately they are too far for us. Thank you!

What an amazingly show! Lots of hard work put into it - well done!!

Hi! Yes it’s just called The London Ballet Company School :)

Hi everyone! My DD has just completed The London Ballet Company summer intensive for the second year now, and has been reaccepted as TLBC Associate from September as well so just wanted to give a huge shout out to the Director, Sophie and her team who have just been amazing! The Associates run once a month on Sundays in Battersea and it’s an excellent addition to existing ballet training to get the creative juices flowing and for anyone who is interested in contemporary ballet. Another one of their amazing features is YoBallet which focusses on strengthening the core and using all the right muscles. They also have a school in Wimbledon that is worth checking out (although we don’t currently attend as it quite a distance for us) but what’s different about them is that they don’t follow any strict syllabus and work by strengthening and stretching the right muscles and correcting posture to get the best results. Just had to post as it’s been a little secret of my DD for a while now and she comes out beaming after every session :) The facilities are of an excellent standard too and since I ran a search and couldn’t find any posts on them so I thought I’d get the word out there.

Hi! My DD did Coppelia earlier this year with EYB and we missed the audition day so Miss Lewis also asked for us to send a DVD. We heard back with an acceptance after 10 days. We just sent in a 1 min solo on DVD by post xx

Hi! Might you have the black lace Capezio pull on skirt still available? What size is it please and might you be able to send a pic please? Thanks!

I have one in pink since when my DD started primary ballet and it still looks good on her! Now after a black one...

We've got tickets! Coming to see JayJay's DS xx

When my DD did Coppelia earlier this year, the first hour always consisted of warm up ballet exercises so if you struggle to get time off from school, they're really understanding about it at the EYB (I also overheard that it is for this reason that they allocate the first hour for warm ups). It's then followed by the actual casting/rehearsals. So I wouldn't worry

Many thanks for your replies. Managed to get an appointment and a referral yesterday evening so hopefully we'll get this sorted.

Hi! Does anyone have an idea on how much an assessment like this would approximately cost?

Hi everyone! Annoyingly my employer seems to have blocked this forum from our internet connection claiming that it’s not secure so having to type this through my phone. I’ve recently discovered that that my DD’s school shoes are heavily worn to one side on both her feet caused by rolling of the ankles. A quick Google search calls it supination (where the feet turn sideways outward to the side when walking/running/standing). Her ballet teacher has said that they didn’t notice any massive rolling of the feet in class, but looking at her shoes, it’s really bad so I suspect that she’s doing it outside of class. There’s quite a bit of stuff online about it, including use of insoles etc. However I’m inclined to see a specialist about this and wonder if this will impede on her progress in ballet (she’s 9). I’ve recently read something about the NIDMS, is that where is best for DD to be referred to? Or can anyone recommend a good orthotics specialist that can be done through tha NHS or doesn’t cost a fortune? There is an interesting blog I found called the ballet blog where someone asked the question “should dancers use orthotics?” however as this is all new to me, I’m not sure what to do. Any advice would be most appreciated!

Very clever!! Thank you

Just heard from a ballet mum friend that her DD got a yes for Year 5 at Elmhurst but will likely have to turn it down as it's quite a distance for them... x

Try contemporary dance classes perhaps? My DD loves it!

My DD's ballet teacher said that she won't get into JA's simply because of her feet, that they're not well arched. She recommends a foot stretcher (I know, I'm VERY cautious with this idea!). However I just read that at the audition they will be looking at their feet so do you think that the teacher made a valid point? Haven't heard from them yet, hoping that they'll let us know the dates/times by the end of this week (just a guess!).

You all are GEMS - thank you so so much for all tips!!!

Will have to work on that, many thanks for the suggestion!!

Thanks Pictures! DD's ballet teacher always comments when I come to pick her up so I don't think she would do it herself...

Hi everyone! Apologies if there's been discussion about this before but I have a couple of questions about hair please! My daughter does ballet after school several times a week (our childminder who doesn't know how to do hair drops her off), and when we have time in the mornings I usually do her hair bun. Sometimes this lasts until the evening, at other times it doesn't (when for example they've had to change for P.E. at school etc). This term they'll be starting swimming at school so there will be no chance that her hair will stay neatly in a bun after taking off the swimming cap. Luckily, her ballet teacher isn't too strict with regards to hair (unless it's for shows/exams). However she does insist on having the hair up in some sort of bun for health and safety reasons if their hair is really long to avoid injury to other children when they're doing turns/pirouettes. Might anyone have any suggestions on an easy way for a 9-year-old to do their own hair up? I feel a bit embarassed about having my DD keep asking other mums to kindly keep doing her hair. Separately, I also wanted to ask what everyone uses to keep the hair nice and neat without overloading with hairgel and hairspray products when their child does ballet several times a week. I found that when I use most gels and hairsprays, it flakes and looks awful when it's time to let the hair down afterwards so I have to wash her hair each time. Also wary of using too much product with nasty chemicals. Does anyone know of a good natural hair styling product? Thanks so much in advance!! xx