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We are so very sad to hear of the sudden death of Mandev, dancer and education officer with ballet Cymru. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We knew him only briefly but remember him with affection, a really lovely man. Sad news indeed.

This was the first time I have seen Giselle apart from the wonderful English Yourh ballet of course! I thought Giselle was exquisite and admired her recovery from her fall, very professional. I was also very moved by the partnering in the second act between her and the prince, which quite reduced me to tears. The atmosphere was however somewhat spoiled for me by the audience. I couldn't grasp their need to clap while the company were actually dancing. I just wanted the beautiful choreography and music to carry me away, and the clapping broke the mood. This was especially so in the second act. Those amazing jumps by the prince, the power and presence of the queen, the corps' beauty as they danced Hans to his death; then the audience clapping as soon as they saw some move or step that impressed them. Not for me.

Overall, a truly beautiful experience. My mum tells me that's it's quite different from the English version, but I am not as knowledgeable or experienced as her. She has seen so many of the greats, I am green with envy!

Yes, also fantastic and harrowing. My daughter saw the play, said it was really well done.

I have just fallen upon this wonderful thread. I keep a notebook where I record all the books I read and a few impressions, otherwise I can never think of anything when someone asks if I can recommend a good read! In the back I note the books I want to read, so I am going to look back through this discussion and the countless books mentioned. As for me I can thoroughly recommend the Gone series if you like good teenage fiction, by Michael Grant. And I have just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns. And yesI cried openly in a cafe! So many great books out there.

My dd has the capezio body suit, which is nude with interchangeable clear straps. Very high legged. She says it's very comfortable, but she does not have a mature curvy figure and is generally quite happy to go bra-less as needed.

There is no website as yet, as far as I am aware. And I have no idea about the number of productions either, so i am not much help! However, Angela might be able to give you more information if you contact her, her details appear ealier in the thread. I think she may advertise locally for auditions. We found out through this forum and our local ballet school.

Primaballerina1, please pm me if you want to ask any questions.

I can not speak highly enough of Regional Youth Ballet. My dd had the most amazing time and the performance was stunning. Expectations are high and Angela gives her dancers a real flavour of the joys and responsibilities of being a company member. I really loved the fact that the company consisted entirely of young dancers and we saw some amazing youngsters dancing with incredible skill and charisma. Definitely worth giving it a go. Thank you, Angela.

Rehearsals for the Wyvern on their final weekend now, and dd is having a fantastic time. Loving every minute of it. We cant wait for the performance next weekend. Just wondering if any other members have dc in the cast?

Feeling very sad indeed, our thoughts are with his family and friends. To have touched so many lives and to have given us so much joy...thank you...

Dd thrilled to have her letter today offering her a place on the mid associate programme for September. I am really proud of her!

A really positive audition experience, Angela is lovely, dd thrilled to be offered a place and is looking forward to starting rehearsals. A big thumbs up so far!

Thank you drdance.

Never heard of these. How do you use them?

Its been on my "must remember" list for ages, but done now. Great website, worth supporting.

anaballerina, I have sent you a pm.

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful.

Just caught up with the news. First, love and thoughts to you and your family. Secondly congratulations to your elder did. What amazing girls you obviously have.

Thanks Piccolo. I am a bit intrigued though, in what way is the style different? Can you explain a bit more? Dd very classical in her heart and style and does RAD syllabus with her local school. We have no experience of JAs though, so can't compare there.

This looks like a really good scheme and I was wondering if any of you wonderful people has any experience of it. What's the audition process like and how long do you wait to hear afterwards?

Sending love and best wishes to you and your family, what difficult times for you all.

I am sure others will be able to advise you on this, but I understand that there is something like special consideration marks. I thinks you teacher has to register any need with the RAD.

Best of luck to her!

My dd thoroughly enjoyed her three days at ENB. She felt the atmosphere was very welcoming and the teaching superb. There were two groups based on age, I think, and she was in the younger one. They did ballet, pointe, repertoire and contemporary. There was also separate coaching for the boys. On the last day, they put on a 30 minute demonstation of class work for parents to watch and appreciate all the hard work the students had put in. I thought it was extremely polished and professional, with a real "show" feel about it and there were some stunningly beautiful dancers, particularly amongst the older girls. Even the exits and entrances were beautifully performed with style and flourish. My dd said that the atmosphere was very caring and natural, and the teachers were very approachable, making a real effort to get to know the students. She found the advice and corrections extremely valuable. She enjoyed the buzz of rehearsal on the last day for the parent demonstration, and it had a real sense of dancing as part of the corps. A real taster of ENB !

I hope others enjoyed it as much as she did.

My dd did the Central Easter course last year and loved it; she would definitely recommend it.

Thank you everyone