Aurora

Susan robinson's school must be very good, her students are used on the RAD graded DVDs!

My daughter has a box like this: http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/hobbycraft-plastic-12-cm-storage-box/570447-1000 You can move the dividers to make the sections the size you want so we have sections for short pins, long pins, bun nets, hair bobbles etc.

When I started dancing there was an upper age limit of 14 on intermediate foundation as it was intended for younger students. I went straight from grade 5 to intermediate but passed that within 3 years of starting ballet (aged 17) so it's certainly doable! I was taking about 4 classes a week at that time though. I then went on and took advanced 1 at 29 and achieved a merit. Do you find with non syllabus classes you're given lots of different steps but not often enough to properly master them? The ideal scenario would be to take both syllabus and free classes.

I don't think sunderland took any associates into year 4 last year, just years 5 and 6 so I guess it just depends.

Split soles are technically now allowed for all levels but the RAD isn't keen on them for lower levels. The feet look nicer so maybe that's why they're being used for the exam but full soles are better for strengthening the feet.

Yep I think Royal would frown on it I'm afraid! Maybe 1 session would be ok but not 3 in a class space of time! I would ring them and discuss with them though. They might say do them this time as you've committed but not future ones...I'm not sure though!!

Does he wear leather shoes? If so he might find canvas better on a sticky floor.

Exciting stuff! It'll be my dd in about a year!!

And his audition for Laban was actually his first ever dance class! He had seen a lot of dance though and was self-taught up to that point.

No I don't think a career as a professional dancer is on the cards. But possibly with enough training a teacher...? I know someone who did the course at Preston in her 20s.

Have a look at Preston College. You need to be about Intermediate standard though, not sure if you're there yet....plus there's other dance styles, not just ballet.

Goodness!! Had somebody locked you in or did the door just get stuck?

Some students at dd's school are invited to do IF after they've passed grade 3. They start as a group and some things are simplified for them by taking out the arms or alignment or doing something half speed for example. There are no double pirouettes in IF by the way Moomin. The average age of the children is about 10-11 but there are occasionally 9 year olds.

My dd has been in the paper as have many other students at her dancing school. It's normal and I don't think there's really anything to worry about. It's not as though they'll be printing your home address. If it was going to be on the internet I could understand your hesitance a little. Would the newspaper be prepared to just print his first name perhaps in light of your concerns? That wouldn't make a difference to the local ballet school.

Have you tried a 3/4 shank and vamp elastic?

I know one of them, I don't know if she's on the forum lol

Some students at dd's school are doing the one in Whitley Bay, performances at the end of March. They're really enjoying the rehearsals

I would go with the teacher rather than the syllabus, along with the successes of their students (getting into ballet schools etc). RAD and ISTD are considered to be the most prestigious though. I probably wouldn't go with one that wasn't validated by the council for dance education and training but most are now.

A girl from dd's school is going and we're in the north east! There will possibly be more from wales because it's local for students there but I think there will be students from far and wide, I think children from other countries can even enter it!

Yes it was still interesting though, think I'll try writing with my feet!!

Just switched it on, they're talking about elephant feet at the moment lol!

I personally prefer stability cushions/ discs to traditional wobble boards, like this: http://www.physiotherapystore.com/Balance-Cushions-/-Wobble-Boards/Stability-Disc/prod_1619.html

Haven't read the article yet but B+ is with the back leg bent, also know as classical pose or preparatory position.

Oh no I personally think the new grade 5 looks much harder than the old and the vocational levels certainly are.

Darning helps to make the shoes quieter.