Kitschqueen_1

I think as Nana Lily said in her very comprehensive reply, it was probably changed to incorporate the CAT schemes.

If you go on the website given by moneypenny it lists all the schools involved in the scheme. My understanding would be that any child auditioning for and gaining entry to those participating schools whether they be ballet, a mixture of ballet and performing arts or purely for musicians would be eligible for an MDS

Thanks for posting this, looks wonderful. I bought tickets to watch the Royal Ballet perform Sleeping Beauty at my local cinema before Christmas. Alas, when we arrived they had been unable to set up the live link up so had to get a refund instead! Gutted as it was probably the last chance to watch Polunin dance with them too.

Yes the only ballet CAT is at Northern ballet. The remainder tend to be Contemporary but I think there is an Urban dance one and a South East Asian dance one. At my daughter's CAT they all had a physiotherapy assessment after being offered a place (interesting how they are all different Lil and Spannerandpony). There was no mention of needing private medical insurance but we were all told that we could access the school's physio at a reduced rate if necessary.

Certainly for the CAT scheme, the amount of MDS awarded is dependant on parental income.

My daughter is on a contemporary CAT scheme and her place is also partially funded by MDS

Congratulations to your DD. They must have really seen some potential in her at the audition :-). What a tricky decision and best wishes to you both whatever you decide.

Ooh this is an interesting question. My daughter is on one of the CAT schemes and as you said they study a variety of contemporary techniques but it is non- syllabus. There doesn't seem to be an expectation that they have taken any exams to apply for full time vocational courses at 18. (Though many participants are also studying ballet syllabi alongside the CAT.) The main organisations eg IDTA, ISTD appear to offer syllabi in modern jazz as opposed to contemporary.

There is a programme on channel 4 this evening at 10pm about the world of competitive freestyle disco dancing, following several 9 year olds in their preparation for Disco Kid at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. Thought this may be of interest to some as I remember a thread on the old forum about freestyle and the make-up and costumes etc. Also I know of two boys from the freestyle world who have gone on to win ballet scholarships at Hammonds and Tring.

My daughter is currently in the first year of a northern contemporary CAT scheme. Having studied mainly classical ballet until this, I know the creative part of the scheme is her least favourite part of the training as she fells less confident with it. I'm sure these skills will develop over time and i thoroughly agree with Pas de Quatre that it is the opportunities to be creative rather than the skills that ballet dancers lack. Her classical skills certainly benefit her immensely in the rest of the training.

Yes, we will be there for the first time! Good luck everyone.

I find all your replies and the discussion reassuring. My Dd has the opposite problem, she is 15 and already 5'8" which I have always thought would prohibit her from going along the classical route. However I love Glowlights response

Congrats to your talented DD Lildancer

I think it may depend on the make. I managed to shrink my DD's SO DANCA canvas ballet shoes in a 30 machine wash!

I would also like to add my thanks to Bruce for all his hard work in restoring this fabulous forum. Belated happy new year to you all and lots of best wishes and successes for 2012