Kitschqueen_1

I think it is really interesting, and I am enjoying reading how different each CAT scheme is ,from the way the auditions are run to the programme content. The common theme though seems to be how impressed we are with them!

Her favourite is the Gala leotard by Gaynor Minden (if I was more technologically capable I would post a link, maybe someone else could help out!) Gaynor Minden leotards are very generous in body length too which I think helps. This leotard has adjustable spaghetti straps and the material is pleated over the bust area which you would think would emphasise them more but in fact it creates an illusion of flatness!! :-)

Lets hope this happens and is not just a tokenistic gesture as we see in the fashion world. Like Plie my daughter has a bust. Outside of the ballet world she has body to die for... v tall, longlimbed and athletic. We have spent hours sourcing the perfect audition leotard which disguises her bust. She has often remarked that she wishes she could have a detachable bust that she could take off for ballet. I just think it's a shame she feels so self-conscious about it!

I think this varies between the schemes. My daughter is at NSCD and the second auditions there consisted of a contemporary class, then a creative class(similar to the open day just longer) but they had also been asked to prepare a minute solo to introduce and perform. The interview was very straight forward and I went in with her. They just asked about her dance experience to date, why she was interested in the scheme, what other hobbies did she have etc. Tell her not to worry, it was very informal with just one of the tutors and felt more like a chat than an interview. Good luck everyone!

I remember Brookside, I used to watch it religiously!! I saw a dancer from ABT recently on Youtube (can't remember her name) a beautiful dancer and she was very generously proportioned.

If it is the CAT scheme at the Lowry then there is also an open day you attend prior to the audition so you will be able to go and ask lots of questions. There should be no problems with her continuing with ballet lessons alongside the CAT. As Tulte says the opportunities they get to perform and work with the best choreographers around make the the scheme exciting to be a part of.

If you are on a contemporary CAT then the focus is on contemporary dance not ballet. It is included as a complimentary style but my DD's experience is that it is definately easier than her current syllabus work that she continues with locally and the ballet taught is to enhance their contemporary work not to train them as classical dancers. Whilst they do have individual training plans this is balancing their local training with the CAT scheme and also their school commitments. Good luck to your DD, it is a fantastic scheme.

Brilliant news, I hope you enjoy every minute!

Hehe do you think we are a bunch of closet arsonists?

Maybe I'm a bit weird but I love burning the ends of pointe shoe ribbons! :-D

Fantastic news for our underpaid dancers. Some very negative blogs following the article though. Ignorance is bliss I guess !

Several years ago, my DD also discovered she was talented at high jump and picked for the county team. After clearing the bar, as she got up off the mat she went over on her ankle and ended up in a pot for 3 weeks!! She was gutted as she had just been told she could start on pointe. We also had to make a choice and dancing won,

I know the minimum age for the CAT scheme my dd attends is 13 and they can stay until 18. As Robin64 says the first stage is to attend an open day and anyone who is interested can attend these. From these, selected candidates are then invited to audition at a later date. Whilst the standard is very high, potential is definately a factor as well as actual ability as successful dancers starting my DD's scheme last year came a variety of dance backgrounds and their ages ranged from 13-17.

There is another discussion about the CATs on page 4 of the forum that you may find useful. My DD's experience has been extremely positive. I cannot praise them enough and judging by some of the other balletco.er's DCs who are involved in the scheme, I would say the standard is very high!

Brilliant, my daughter did Giselle there 2 years ago. I seem to remember the standard at audition was really high there. Good luck everyone Do you know what they are doing?

Many organisations are now using Quarry Hill in Leeds as a base for dance days eg Central school of Ballet were there last November and RAD did a boys only day there. As others have said you need to keep checking websites.

My daughter has done EYB several times and has enjoyed them all (especially the one where she got a small solo! ). However she understands that any part big or small is important to the overall performance and being part of a large corp is not an easy option. I think it is a shame if others have had negative experiences especially in regards to friendships because, apart from the shows it has always been the social aspect that my DD has enjoyed the most. As others have said EYB is mostly about the performance and this year she has decided that she needs to work more on her technique so my £400 is going on a summer school. That is her choice and sadly unless a lottery win is imminent, I do not have the finances for her to do both.

I don't think anyone goes to a Matthew Bourne production expecting to see a "conventional" ballet do they? He trained at Laban and is probably the most successful choreographer of recent times. My understanding is that he does have his own small company, New Adventures but then employs freelance dancers for larger scale productions. These dancers will come from predominantly classical or contemporary training backgrounds. I for one love his interpretation of the classics and can't wait to see his version of Sleeping Beauty In November :-)

I read somewhere that it is never a good idea to wear footless tights as they tend to "cut off" the line of the leg and make them appear shorter. Can't comment on the selection process for the lower schools but certainly at 16+ I know that Rambert select auditionees from photos.

That was the formula i couldn't remember, thank you

Have sent you a PM

Well done Fiz I was thinking about you yesterday eve . And remember everyone........if you're not embarrasing your teenage children then you're not enjoying yourselves properly!!!

I totally agree as this was my daughter's experience also (regarding turnout). I guess it depends what kind of gymnastics you do too. Artistic gymnastic training (4 piece) will change their whole body shape giving them broad shoulders and a tiny waist resembling an upside down triangle and each move starts with a presentation involving a hyperextended back, not sure these are the qualities favoured by RBS! Again ballet benefitted her floor work but gymnastics certainly didn't benefit her ballet (mind you she was training for 19 hours per week at the time! )

There is a scientific formula for calculating a child's adult height based on what the mother's and father's height are. In a previous life I worked in a child development centre and the paediatricians did this regularly if there were concerns regarding a child's growth. I cannot remember how it is worked out but your GP should certainly know if you're concerned. I also read somewhere that a child is half their adult height at 2 years of age so if you measured your son's height every year on his b/day (I used to do with my daughter ), you may be able to work it out yourself (providing I didn't completely dream that last fact ).

Hi Megan, my DD's friend successfully auditioned at the end of last year for a place at Northern Ballet School this September. I will contact her mum and send you a PM