Dancers Dad

I absolutely agree with this. Having watched some of the semi-finals, where they have about a minute (x2) completely out there on their own on stage to impress the judges, it's absolutely all-or-nothing. And to their credit, everyone I saw was fantastic. Such determination and poise. Then to perform in a theatre like His Majesty's to a packed crowd - amazing from the finalists and also from every single one of them in the choreography piece that far exceeded my expectations: a whole new piece for 80 dancers, learned in a week and delivered beautifully. An incredible event all round.

Agree with the above. Very glad our daughter went at 16, not 11. So many potential downsides, so few apparent ultimate upsides to going so young.

I find myself increasingly glad of my ignorance around ballet training that led to my daughter applying to ballet school at 16, not 11. It seems that they are so much better equipped to deal with it by this point. 11 is so very young - and it seems, according to the interviewees in the doc, that puberty was often the moment when it all starts to go very unpleasant. Also, I had had a sense that the aesthetic was changing a little - eg Misty Copeland and other stronger rather than thinner dancers, and also some companies' real focus on strength these days eg The Australian Ballet. But I don't really know a huge amount about the sector and it seems like old habits die hard.

If you're looking for student accommodation for the coming year for NBS, pls drop me a message.

Yes - the CTF is a bit of a godsend tbh. It has also enabled some summer schools! You can get it when you turn 18. Also yes re: Advanced 2 with Distinction being the qualifying mark. A great result for them all tbh - my daughter was ecstatic. Thanks for your good wishes 😊

Yep - big costs. Child Trust Fund paid for the former, and we're going to be leaning on the kindness of friends for the latter.

Many thanks. Currently liaising with people I know who live somewhere nearby as even a Travelodge for over a week is four figures 😲😬 Thanks in advance for the extra cheer!

Yes - NBS Manchester. It seemed (from a distance) to be something that the school and the students discussed but there was definite keenness among the students to do it and the school is supporting them with advice and extra classes to work on their variations. It has certainly created some real excitement amongst the classical focus students.

Thank you very much 😊

Now I'm feeling nearly as excited as my daughter! (Strong showing from NBS at the event, with at least 7 or 8 going I think.)

Thank you, everyone.

Anyone doing, or done, the Fonteyn? All tips gratefully received re: making the very most of the opportunity - and staying in London for less than an arm & a leg. Thanks!

Unless she's come back in recent weeks, it's not Zobia any more unfortunately. I'm pretty sure it's a lady called Megan. Although if you happen to get Jake/Jacob, he's incredibly helpful. But yes, worth an email.

Probably would've been best to say that up front tbh.

We were in the Covid video audition period so I can't offer any advice on auditioning IRL I'm afraid. But I have a daughter at NBS now - in fact she helped with auditions last weekend but isn't doing this weekend I don't think - so happy to respond to any queries.

Hi - my daughter is in year two at NBS... Did your children enjoy their Dance experience there? She loves it. Did they find it easy to make their choice at the end of year 1? Kind of. It was an easy choice for her but it's not only up to the student. Far fewer get to choose the Classical route as the teachers are strict on who makes it. You have to enter the training knowing that and with an open mind. Do they still have a varied timetable thereafter? Yes. I think the only thing to go completely between year 1 and 2 for my daughter on Classical was the Commercial classes. She still does everything else, but a little less. The Jazz group still do ballet but a little less. What are the hours, is it Mon-Fri or do they also dance Sat mornings? Monday to Friday. Hours vary but can be long, maybe 8.30-6.30 the longest. Most days more like 9.00-5.30 and the occasional early finish. Does your dancer have a part time job? No. I think a couple of her friends have something at the weekend. You wouldn't be able to in the week, it's so full on. Where did they stay in the first year? New Medlock House - Unite Students accommodation Quality of teaching? Hard to say from a distance and without the ability to compare but if the evidence of the shows is anything to go by, it must be pretty good.

Ditto ⬆️ (Parent of a current student at NBS)

Happy to answer any questions in a PM (re: NBS).

My daughter's just changed to Gaynor Mindens after years in Russian Pointe - her feet had changed and GMs just supported her better and helped mitigate some severe toe pain. She's in Yr 2 at NBS and no-one has said anything after a term of wearing them - other schools may be take a different view, of course, although you'd imagine that in auditions this surely wouldn't be a dealbreaker?

Balletbean has covered it, I think - and has been very helpful to me in the past too, so do pick their brains about NBS if you're considering it. My daughter is in Yr 2 at NBS and I'd be happy to answer anything too. She joined from mainstream school at Year 12. There's a real mixture of where people have come from.

Hi. My daughter's in her second year at ballet school and has had some plantar fasciitis, shin splints, possible sesamoiditis. Some of her friends have been out for months with pf in particular, so it can't be ignored. Our breakthrough was seeing a physio in Birmingham called Phil Birch, who worked with BRB for years. His hands-on physio was incredibly painful! Very hard to watch as a father. But the results were impressive. He identified the cause of the pain and the chain of reaction up the body to the source. She was better aligned by the end of the session. He gave her various exercises to do to keep building her strength and tolerance and she's very meticulous about keeping those up. She still has soreness there occasionally but it seems - atm - under control. It's been a huge relief. Caveats: firstly, this is only our experience and it would be wise to seek other views; secondly, it's expensive. But I can give you a number if you're interested.

We just bit the bullet and booked Medlock again. Dwell is cheaper but the properties are quite tired and tight for space. Private renting probably very sensible but needs some proper research and searching (and I like the security of the student accommodation) - and of course the student accommodation providers know they're in the box seat so the prices are just rising and rising. So we got in at Medlock before they get too high. I didn't realise quite how hotel-like and ruthless their algorithms were: as more students book, the rooms automatically become pricier. The room in Medlock we were looking at went up £9 in one week - which is quite a lot on a 51-week contract.

Oh, that's interesting. Well done for doing the research. Will do some myself! Did you have a look around? If so, how do they compare?

I haven't seen the prices for '23-'24 yet but I don't suppose there will be a huge saving to be had elsewhere. From memory, Dwell was a touch cheaper, with smaller rooms, but not significantly. But you're right about Medlock having a pretty poor few months. NB The non-ensuite rooms are a decent saving compared to ensuite in Medlock. Glad your daughter is having a wonderful time at NBS - ditto with ours in Yr 2!

I think this is important. A good therapist/counsellor can help you unpick what's right and wrong, what's damaging and what's not, where responsibility lies, how your experience at ballet school interacts with your previous life experiences and why different people respond differently, and so on. They don't have to know the ballet world inside out (though that, of course, may help).