sillysally

Thanks! will do 😀

Hi Janet, the city is lovely, but yes youre right it is expensive and funding is an issue 🤣 But I'd still like to find out some more about the school if anyone else has any experience of it.

Hi all, My DD is in the fortunate but unexpected position of receiving an offer for the 3 year diploma programme at this contemporary school. Does anybody have any knowledge of the school? She is 16 and definitely has a flair for contemporary/modern dance. She is a strong classic dancer but her language is contemporary and her physique suits this too. However, she is torn between continuing along classic route until 19 and then switching to contemporary. Does anyone have any experience they can share??? I need help - this is beyond my mothering skills and sadly her dance school had no thoughts or advice. Thanks for your help 🙂

Hi all, our DD got a wait list for Central Foundation course 😃 - we are so amazed! We are definitely viewing this as a win!!! Now I guess we just wait to see how long the wait list is. Do people actually get places off the wait list?? Sending so many good vibes and good luck thoughts to all others waiting. PS RCS is out today too

I think thats a great slant DD Driver ....thanks for saying it! sometimes its not easy to see the wood for the trees 🤣

Hi all, glissade - thanks for the thoughts and idea....I might go down the second opinion route....i think we need some honest feedback so we can establish a plan! our dance teachers are not the best at giving objective feedback. Balletpower - I think our teacher maybe a little naive in how competitive the dance world is these days! glowlight - yes thanks, I did read the thread and i took some courage from it 😄 i think its best we focus on some mid term future such as summer courses etc To everyone - i badly need to improve my skills for quoting and answering messages on this forum! Please excuse my rubbish style....🤪

Hi all, after submitting many video auditions my DD has received a nice selection of rejection emails. She is 16 and looking for training from Sep 21. We are aware life is not a fairytale, so we tend to live by the mindset that if you work hard and the gods smile on you, you may get a chance 😆. Rejection is disappointing but it^s a huge part of a dancers life. So I'm hoping someone has some advice on how to take a "no" and learn from it and improve...I find the lack of feedback is soooo hard as a parent. Maybe the problem lies in that she simply isn't talented enough, her body has physical restrictions, she has the wrong aesthetics etc etc How do you help your children handle the rejection? Thanks for your thoughts. I really want to tray and help this keep her strong for life and feel a bit out of my depth.

Hi Meghan, Congratulations to your son. We're looking at european schools, and am just wondering how the process compared to the british audition process. After sub,itting an initial video was there a live online/zoom audition?

Thanks all for this. She was so worried that something she writes places her application in the "no pile" before they even look at her...after much persuading she accepted this was unlikely to happen... I will encourage her to write from the heart without any diva or drama if that makes sense.

Hi All, My daughter was looking at the application for Rambert School yesterday and discovered you need to complete a Personal Statement. She has not written one of these before and was stumped what to include and how long it should be. What kind of information do you need to include in the personal statement? Can anyone help explain what kind of things are worth mentioning? Thanks for any help. Wishing everyone a good start to the week 😊

thanks for the imovie & film from floor tips 😊 ill be sure to anticipate some midnight candle hours 🤪

Thanks Aklf and Peanuts68 🙂 I think my internet browser was automatically loading a stored page 🤪 I'm happy to learn there is no compulsory video. On the topic of dance videos I welcome any tips or hints that others have learnt whilst making audition videos.... Our dance school is not so helpful with making videos .... they charge for the studio time and do not help with the music or exercises. It is up to the child to decide what to include. They dont even stay in the room. It's really a hands off approach. 😝 I appreciate schools have different requirements so we must film certain exercises that are requested by each school, but I think its going to be a challenge for us. I'm hoping I can adequately film with my iPhone! If anyone has any tips about what to do or not do, I'd really welcome any help.

Hi Aklf, Thats really useful to know. Could you please explain where you got this info from...I've been checking their website and cant find any info for 2020/21. We will be in the audition trail next year and I'm afraid I'll miss the deadlines! Thanks.

Hi all, I was wary of posting my question.....as weight and size remains a controversial topic in ballet. And I can vouch as a mother of a 15 year old aspiring dancer, it is a conversation rather than a topic that is never ending 😉 However it seems that the post has led to a sharing of knowledge that I'm sure will benefit many. Once a comment is made to a child (and at 15 my DD is still a child in many ways), it is difficult to change the understanding of the comment. I want to turn what appears as a negative into a constructive comment - whether it leads to a change in exercise and training, or a change in mental perception or a change in goals I feel that this feedback must be used to make a positive change for her not just demoralise her. Based on the replies, I will look into both strength training and pilates. I guess we will need to create a plan that is appropriate to her age and goal as a dancer - we dont want to create a mini Arnie Schwarzenegger 🤣 My daughter is herself starting to look into body conditioning and pilates...instagram and youtube I will share with her some of the links form this chat. I must say a big thanks for your contributions. My family is british but we live in Switzerland and I am not only clueless about the ballet world but physical exercise is not my thing. The general approach to nutrition here involves eating small portions and very little processed food whilst exercise is truly part of daily life involving walking lots and generally staying active. I really appreciate your contributions and am happy to be able to learn for those more experienced and those with specialised knowledge. 😀

Thanks Peony. Lisa Howell is new to me, so I'm going to get watching.

Thank you I will make sure DD watches this

Thanks fr all your response. drdance, to answer your question - we have received feedback from 2 schools about her thigh muscles that is why it has come onto our radar. It probably isn't the only "flaw" but I personally thought it was dangerous and unnecessary to use a comment on her physique as feedback, generally as schools refuse to give feedback on technique post audition. Especially when it was given as a negative comment with no constructive advice. We think she is generally fit and strong. The elliptical machine was a tool she started using during lockdown to keep some body movement and help retain stamina..... She is a healthy British teenager. My husband and I are not athletes or dancers. She has not inherited dancing genes or waif body 🙂 She has found her own passion for dance and we just want to support that. Maybe we can start some Pilates together, dvd style. Kate_N your comment was interesting because she does have hyperextension in her knees. Im going to look into this a bit more. Once again thanks. I was starting to go a bit crazy with worry. Your kind words have reassured me.

Hi all, i am looking for some advice about my 15.5 year old daughter, who is currently training RAD Advanced level. We live in Switzerland and have come across a problem. She is in generally good shape. Her physique is considered large by european standards - 169 cms and 53kgs. She is well toned but a little thick around the torso and has large thigh muscles. Honestly her diet is very healthy and balanced, following standard premise of lots of sleep, no junk food, lots of protein, portion sizes controlled etc etc. She trains 14 hours a week and exercises maybe 1-1.5 hours extra on an elliptical machine. She eventually wants to go down contemporary route but is keeping up her classic training. I would really welcome any suggestions of exercise that she can do to reshape her thighs.... As an athletic build her thighs are the first place to gain muscle and it seems this is holding her back from gaining a place in full time ballet schools. Thanks for any suggestions!