Mamaderuby

My children have many Spanish friends who would love to work in the UK, non-dancers, educated young people. Post-Brexit, they have the same difficulty as British citizens who want to work/live in Spain.

Hi. Came across this. Not sure if it is of interest to anyone. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5B7ZWHo1BJ/?igsh=bWtzeWU2czVjanh1

Thankyou! Flights and hotel booked already for end March. Can't wait!

My DS started dance age 11 (ballet and jazz) in a local dance school. He auditioned at central School of Ballet, Northern Ballet School and KS Dance at age 17, in his last year of school. He was offered places at all three and is now in his first year at KS Dance (started age 18) and LOVING IT! His absolute favourite genre is Ballet and he is learning so much and improving so fast. He is also enjoying jazz and contemporary, and is taking tap for the first time. There is also MT singing for those who show interest and talent. We are so happy with his decision to go to KS Dance. Amazing teachers, fantastic S&C and physio/rehabilitation programme. He feels seen, listened to and cared for.

Also consider Wilkes Academy and the Brighton Academy, newer schools, building up excellent reputations. And SLP college in Leeds. SLP also offer level 6 diploma.

If she is set on full time training at 16, definitely consider KS Dance and NBS as well as the Hammond. All great schools offering the level 6 diploma. The CDMT careers conference in February will have showcases and taster classes from these any many other accredited schools. Might be worth checking out. Best of luck.

I think that if she is not going down the pure classical ballet route, there is no rush. Getting a few A levels, particularly if she is academic, will leave the door open for other options in the future, should she get injured, or decide to follow another career path, either instead of, or after a dance career. I found that my DD matured a lot between 16 and 18, not just as a dancer, but as a person, and was glad that we decided she would be better off starting at 18. I realise that all DCs are different, but IMO getting a few good A levels can only be of benefit.

KS Dance and Central School of Ballet also accept older students. Both in England.

For anyone applying to either of these schools this year, I am also happy to answer any questions. DD is in 3rd year at Morea and DS is in first year at KS.

Valencia Endanza

For my DD, now in year 3 of 3 of full time vocational college, we have used BHSF as a "top up" for NHS. I realise this may not be for everyone, but has worked for us. BHSF is a cash back health plan, which we accessed through OneDance UK. She has used it mostly for regular physio treatments, pays privately, uploads receipt online and receives 75% back in her account in a couple of days. She has also been able to receive both physio treatment and MRIs through the Dance Injury Clinic (Birmingham was her closest, but there are others), covered by NHS. OneDance UK is a fantastic source of information for services for dancers. Student membership only £20 per year.

Is there much variation in size between the LaDuca models? DD wears Elizabeth in 7 medium. Not sure if it would be safe to order online Roxie in the same size, or get her to take (another) trip to London.

Haha! Thanks.. exactly this. She has replaced her So Danca hard sole character shoes with La Duca soft soles(in both Black and skin tone) and wears Jason Samuel Smith's, so yes, I am trying to save my pennies wherever I can. Although I don't really want to cut corners if I end up having to replace them in just a few months anyway. Does your DD find a huge difference between the LaDuca heeled tap shoes and a less expensive So Danca or Capezios? My DD says that wearing her La Duca soft soles are like wearing slippers after her So Danca hard soles, but I am not that excited about forking out for LaDuca tap shoes, when she is not really a tapper.

Hi. My daughter would like to turn her 3 inch So Dance character shoes into tap dancing shoes. I have found lots of tap toes and heels in different sizes online for flat tap dance shoes but the only ones for heels I can find are the LaDuca ones. Does anyone know if these would fit ok, if they are a "standard" size. , or where I can find So Danca tap toes and heels? As you can probably tell...I know nothing about tap shoes or tap dancing. Please help.

My DS has just been offered Central, Northern and KS and he turns 18 this June. Age was not an issue at these 3 schools. However, he was advised by Elmhurst that he was too old to start in first year of the diploma course, and suggested he audition for direct entry into 3rd year. He did not do this as he did not feel experienced enough. I know Rambert certainly take older students too. Hope she recovers soon and fingers crossed she'll get a place off the Central waitlist. Best of luck .