Dancers Dad

4 hours ago, Emeralds said:

Congratulations to all the laureates and participants! I think it takes a lot of guts and hard work to be able to prepare and travel to the competition (admittedly less stressful if you live in the country where the competition is happening that year), and to put yourself in front of judges, so kudos to all of them. 

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.

23 minutes ago, Peanut68 said:

Oh that’s made me remember about those child trust funds…. Never added any money but still there must be a few £££ my teens are now eligible for… is it from 16 or 18? Must track them down! And yes, expect it could help with sone dance costs! Must say I find it heartening that a school is encouraging participation as in my experience usually it’s just the 1 or 2 golden favoured pupils that are almost secretly selected & pushed to this sort of thing by schools so bravo to NBS in being supportive & proactive! And also in getting great results as think all entrants have to have passed Adv2 with distinction? 
congrats to all & good luck! 

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 😊

Just now, Lifeafterballet said:

£500 entry fee 🫨

Then travel and accommodation in London 😢

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.

On 29/07/2023 at 09:56, HopelessMummy said:

Best of luck. It's a massive achievement to even get this far. What an experience. If you haven't sorted out accommodation, I echo re. Travelodge which is opposite the rad. They're long days and being able to cross the road and crash into bed is quite a treat. Also, there are lots of places to eat nearby so you won't starve. There's some parking at the Travelodge so that might help. Again, all the best. We'll be watching and giving you an extra cheer! 

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!

On 27/07/2023 at 23:54, Peanut68 said:

Interesting that NBS (Northern Ballet School in Manchester?) has students competing as traditionally schools tend to not to participate at all in comps or just enter perhaps one or two pupils in such things & even then I think it’s often more down to candidates self entering & arranging coaching etc themselves. 
I’d be interested to know if it is actually the school entering & coaching their students for this….good for them if so! I often feel there is a lack of level playing field with it either being the chosen favourite in an institution who may get entered or else those who can afford it (& often would need to be a day pupil in a school in order to get outside coaching in order to prepare what’s required). It’s also interesting to see them promoting that this year additional ‘prizes’ of such things as scholarships to courses…. Only notice this being said now after applications closed…. Was it promoted before? If so it would I’m sure encourage many more entries….

good luck to those joining in

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.

On 27/07/2023 at 22:10, glowlight said:

Very excited for your dd, for you and all the NBS contingent.  The best of luck to them all.  

 

Thank you very much 😊

3 hours ago, Jan McNulty said:

The Royal Academy of Dance has issued a press release about the competition, mainly for potential audience members:

 

 

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!

7 hours ago, mum5678 said:

It just might be worth contacting Zobia at New Medlock House directly (newmedlockhouse-manchester@unitestudents.com) on the off chance she can help, and/or to ask when they might release any that aren't booked.

 

 

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.

11 hours ago, Megankate31 said:

Thanks all - appreciate you flagging the guidance! I’m a freelance reporter so it’s just an initial bit of research to get the lay of the land at this stage! 

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

8 hours ago, kazia1 said:

Hi, first time posting👍🏻 My dd is auditioning next Saturday at NBS Manchester. Travelling down from Scotland. We didn’t manage to go to any of the open days so not got a feel for it. What’s the audition like ? My dd enjoys all styles of dance. She’s doing a lyrical solo for the audition. We have had 3 auditions so far and 2 offers, waiting for the result of RCS.

Any insights would be great. This whole audition season is exhausting 🙈🙈for parents too. Thx 😊 

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.

3 hours ago, Wenders said:

Morning all. 
 

Northern has been at the top of my DDs list since she was there in the Summer. We are auditioning soon and I just wanted to make sure that we were fully informed so we could ask all our questions when we are there. Did your children enjoy their Dance experience there? Did they find it easy to make their choice at the end of year 1? Do they still have a varied timetable thereafter? What are the hours, is it Mon-Fri or do they also dance Sat mornings? Does your dancer have a part time job? Where did they stay in the first year? Quality of teaching? For the Northern graduate how easy has it been to gain employment with a dance diploma from Northern. And most importantly did your dancer enjoy their time there. 
 

thanks 

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.

19 hours ago, balletbean said:

Hi. As mum to a graduate DD from NBS do you have any specific questions in mind? 

Accommodation? Living in Manchester?  Auditioning post graduation? Academic module of the Diploma?  As there have been changes with in the teaching faculty it would be wrong for me to try and answer questions related to that aspect.Happy to respond where I can either here or via a DM 😊

Ditto ⬆️

(Parent of a current student at NBS)

On 20/01/2023 at 21:14, BalletBelle said:

Very interested in this as my DD is in exactly the same position!

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

On 08/12/2022 at 09:08, TJK said:

On another note,  does anyone have any tips on pointe shoes for auditions and how different brands are viewed? My dd is wanting to wear Gaynor Minden, but a couple of people have said that this might not be well received by schools, because of the extra support they offer. Sounds over cautious to me, but she doesn't want to put them off. Any thoughts? Thanks a lot! 

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?

3 hours ago, balletbean said:

Hi. be prepared, long response coming.
 

I’m going to suggest that you may want to look at the Northern Ballet School (NBS) in Manchester. Not the stereotypical upper school as it doesn’t offer A levels like some of the big names. 
NBS offers a Diploma level 6 in professional dance. All pupils train in all genres for the first yr with the option to select either the classical focus or the jazz focus for their 2nd & 3rd year. When a pupil does select Classical it does not exclude other genres entirely as their timetable is developed around them giving the opportunity to continue broadening their training. And the jazz doesn’t exclude ballet either as that is such a core part of the pupils training. 
First yrs are not all 16yr olds like other upper schools as NBS cater for those intending to pursue the Jazz focus from the outset but everyone has an assessment and interview at the end of their 1st yr to assist them in selecting the correct focus to meet their skills, abilities and of course future employment in the industry. 
What also sets the school apart is the one day only audition process. Dates offered start on Nov early Dec then start up

again late Jan. No recalls, no finals. Letter arrives about a week later. There is the option to be considered for a DaDa for funding and that does require a wait until all auditions are completed. 
Pupils live off site in one of the many Halls offered by Uni providers nearby but don’t worry as the providers do not mix the NBS pupils with Uni students in their flats. There’s also a small proportion of pupils across the year groups that commute in as they live within the Greater Manchester area.  
There was an announcement recently by ICTheatre who is the parent company that owns NBS that they had been confirmed that they can now offer a Degree along with the Diploma. Which would certainly bring the fees down for some in line with other degree courses. Whilst this isn’t probably available for the younger pupil it should mean that there are more DaDa’s available as the older pupils could  select the degree course if the school retain the same amount if DaDa’s. But this is all fairly new so plenty of time to see what happens.

DD graduated July 2021 so we’ve now moved away from school life and now gaining our experience and knowledge of the audition process & working within the industry. Which is another experience entirely. 

Any questions please just ask. 😊  

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!

21 hours ago, cotes du rhone ! said:

We were worried that it wasn’t going to be helpful as the psychologist wasn’t familiar with the ballet world and didn’t as you say ‘get it ‘. But it was helpful because it proved that it wasn’t  her that had to learn strategies to cope with the ballet world, but that the toxic environment at the school wasn’t right and needed to change. Parents and children get so immersed in the ballet world that they can’t think clearly and what is right and wrong becomes blurred. Those outside the ballet bubble can help clear the fog. 
 

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).