HowMuch!
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Everything posted by HowMuch!
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She’s 10, but year 5 at school. I always had the impression that contemporary was better left to secondary school age but wondered whether to add it to her schedule this year. We’re near Leeds so have both Phoenix and NSCD nearby.
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Hi there, Is there a good age to start contemporary dance classes? DD currently has an exclusively ballet schedule (3-4 hours a week) and i’m wondering whether to add contemporary into the mix? xxx
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That’s where I park but I end up needing to pay for 2 hours and it’s twice a week so it’ll start adding up - c£70/term which could pay for another class! It’s just a bit frustrating and i’m a bit grumpy that there aren’t really any other options. I had wondered about this as an option. She’s got a medical need which means I need to be nearby but if it’s only 5mins that might be ok.
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We live in Leeds but annoyingly too far away so i’d end up dropping off, driving home and then straight back again! Plus DD has a medical need which means I need to stay close by.
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If anything, this thread has made me feel better that i’m not alone in my grumpiness at the parking charges! 😂 Seriously though, it pretty much adds up to the same as an extra class each week! But, perhaps it’s worth it? One week of northern ballet classes and there’s a huge difference in her already! I wonder what they do to them in there? 😂
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I’ve been doing this too but being a yorkshire-woman, i’m adding up the 25p charge for using the app! 😂
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That’s a very good point! My eldest didn’t do any exams until Grade 1 and I only agreed to my youngest doing primary because she begged me! Also, i moved my eldest from a ballet school after finding out they’d merged the primary, pre-primary and pre-school classes together and she spent all lesson skipping with 3 year olds. I made my polite goodbyes and moved on. We’ve never looked back, she’s now at a lovely local school doing RAD and their own associates plus 2 non-syllabus classes each week elsewhere, my youngest is at the same school having fun on a more recreational route but still getting high quality reaching. I would go to a few trials though. It was very clear at a trial class how different local classes can be! I looked for happy children, gentle teachers and a relaxed yet purposeful environment. I also asked to watch classes in higher grades which showed more about the overall feel of the place, classes got smaller but more dedicated which was great to see.
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My youngest has just turned 7 (summer holidays) and took her RAD primary exam earlier this year when 6. My eldest is almost 10, recently gone into RAD grade 3, and if I recall took her grade 1 exam when she was 8, grade 2 before the summer. I’d push them to move her up to grade 1, especially if ballet is something she wants to take seriously. Grades aren’t important for some things, but confidence is. My eldest DD felt ‘behind’ the rest of the children at an audition last year, not because of her ability but because she’d not had the opportunity to try out more complex steps and sequences yet. I talked to her teacher about it and she was very quickly entered for her Grade 2 and moved into grade 3 with some classmates. ( i hope all that makes sense.) The most important consideration is enjoyment though. Especially when they’re so young. If she’s not enjoying the lessons then perhaps take her for some trials elsewhere? Much love x
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I had wondered about John Lewis! That might be a better plan and that way I can have a coffee and read my book! thank you!
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I’ll investigate nearby housing estates, it might be the best idea! Although sitting in the car on a dark, cold winter’s night doesn’t sound like much fun!
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DD will be going to 2x 1hr classes a week. Has anyone got any good strategies to avoid the parking costs? Xxx
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These were my thoughts too about her using YouTube. She’s in her ballet school’s ‘associate’ classes and has exercises from these but she’s quite forgetful. I’d hoped she could use a dvd for prompts. Not to worry, the summer is whizzing past so she can wait until she’s back in class in September. Xxx
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Hello, Does anyone have any recommendations for a ballet exercise dvd for my DD. She’s 9, Grade 3. She’s wanting something to guide her through strength, flexibility exercises, I was thinking a Pilates type dvd but wondered if anyone knew of any aimed at her age/level. I’m never quite sure of the suitability of youtube clips! Thank you! X
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Thank you! I’ll have a look and see if I can do anything with them.
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- ballet shoes
- split soles
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It’s the So Danca SD16 that she’s had trouble with. The elastic around the foot digs into her heel and going up a size made little difference. Perhaps it was the width fitting though, maybe the B was too narrow. I’ll get her to try loads of styles and i’m sure we’ll find the right one.
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This is a great list! Thank you!
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Thanks everyone! I think a trip to the dance shop is needed to try some on.
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Can anyone recommend a decent brand of canvas split soles? The So Danca ones with the elasticated edging dig in and going up a size means baggy toes! Are there any drawstring ones which don't result in ‘duck feet’? She has narrow feet and quite dainty toes 😂
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Thank you. That makes things easier with work!
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Does anyone have DC at Northern Ballet open classes? I was wondering if anyone can tell me if children move up classes during the year? My DD is 9 so starting in Ballet 1 but will be 10 before Christmas. Will she then move up to Ballet 2? (I only need to know so I can think ahead for work and class times etc) I would email them and ask but i’ve asked them so many daft questions already that I can’t bring myself to ask more! 😂 Thanks xxx
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Are there any Northern Ballet parents out there? My DD has been on the waiting list for open classes since December so we’re keen to get in quick once registration open this month. Does anyone have any knowledge or tips on when the registration will open (i’m assuming Monday?), and whether it’s best to apply in person at Northern Ballet or via email. I really don’t want her to miss out again! Many thanks, xxx
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Well done to your DDs @Tinks and @sunrise81 I’ll be watching out for how it’s all going! My DD will be old enough to audition next year! 😁
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After a big chat tonight, it’s looking likely that she’ll be staying put for the moment. I’d be interested to see what she’s make of an ISTD class though but maybe that’s for another time.
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Thank you for this. That’s really helpful. I’ve been going back and forth about changing her dance school - it’s lovely, supportive and she does well in the exams, but she’s very much the ‘serious’ big fish in the small pond of ‘recreational’ dancers. I also wondered recently, through my lengthy googling, whether children doing ISTD are better prepared for auditions than RAD dancers? I know very little about it all but my googling tells me that RAD is very much about perfecting steps in a precise way whereas ISTD involves putting more steps together, on the spot? I may be totally wrong on this? I just wonder if perhaps an ISTD dancer is more familiar with complex steps and sequences? 🤷🏻♀️ This might influence a change of school.
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I’ll add it to my ‘list’! Thank you!
