Kitschqueen_1

It just goes to show that no scheme is perfect and can suit one child but not another. I did see the end of year show last year as my DD attends the Leeds contemporary CAT and they do this jointly with the ballet CAT's. I did think at the time that if I had been the parent of one of the junior ballet CAT students I would have been disappointed in the amount of stage time they were given to perform, however the quality of dancing of the senior CAT students was high. NBA (like the contemporary CATs) have a 100% success rate of students progressing to full time dance training if desired so I guess they may be doing something right. My DD has attended their summer school in the past and enjoyed it very much, unfortunately the dates now always clash with her contemporary intensive so she has not been able to audition for it since.

There is quite an interesting discussion on another forum regarding the pros and cons of going to a performing arts college at 16 or 18. One parent reports that because the majority of students are 18+ a lot of the socialisation involves drinking and going to nightclubs so the 16 year olds are excluded from this. I wonder how a student who has been relatively closeted at WL would adapt to this, though I guess a lot of young people leaving home for the first time have to learn to deal with these pressures. Your brother obviously survived balletgirlsplease! :-)

Thank you for sharing that the quays. I had no idea about the history between Northern Ballet School and the now Northern Ballet. Very interesting and like you said not what it's founder anticipated for the school. I was not aware that it was originally purely classical as they have a successful performing arts faculty now.

I don't want to upset or offend anyone here as YDA have a loyal and passionate following and are obviously very, very good at what they do especially ballet. However, at my dd's Contemporary CAT ALL auditioning students have also secured places for full time training at the main contemporary and performing arts colleges. I think we don't recognises the success of these schemes enough on here and they are a fraction of the price of YDA and in some circumstances they are free. For they first time ever a ballet CAT student has gained a place at RBS US! Sorry mods if I have gone off topic! :-) '

Oops I was slower than every-one else so my reply looks a bit out go place now! In answer to afabs question I think the reason they call themselves Northern Ballet Academy is to prevent people mistaking them for Northern Ballet School which is a full time vocational 6 th form in Manchester. :-)

I think we are into semantics here. As balletgirlsplease has said Northern Ballet Academy run open classes, an associate scheme and are also the only ballet CAT in the country. The associate and CAT scheme train students up to the age of 16 at which point they will audition alongside everyone else for 6th form places elsewhere if they wish. There is no full time training at the Academy. My understanding of the graduate scheme is that it is for dancers who have completed their full time training, maybe haven't secured a contract or feel they need some additional training, closely linked to the company as opposed to the Academy. I agree with other posters that finding an additional £3,000 funding will prevent many dancers from taking advantage of the scheme which I'm sure will be amazing.

Are Laines, Birds and Millenium classed as contemporary colleges? I always thought they were more performance/ musical theatre. The specialist contemporary colleges are London Contemporary Dance School, Trinity Laban, Northern School of Contemporary Dance and Rambert.

Aaaaagh!! Stop teasing those of us that can't watch it, hehe.

I'm like you balletgirlsplease, been looking forward to this all day, only to find our package doesn't include bio! :-((((

That's interesting Pastel, we've had to colour pointe shoes twice (black and dark green). Each time I managed to match up ribbon bought from a local market, exactly the same width as pink pointe shoe ribbon and it didn't slip either. :-)

Hope you have a wonderful evening and I'm sure it will be worth it :-)

    There are lots of CAT schemes across the country but they are predominantly focussed on contemporary dance. The only ballet CAT is at Northern Ballet's Academy in Leeds. Apologies Julie, I was posting this as you posted the above advice.

What a creative bunch we are! hehe

Whenever we have needed to change the colour of pointe shoes we have used Sharpie felt tip pens and coloured them in! You need to go over them a couple of times but works really well. It is time comsuming but very therapeutic I find :-)

Many congratulations! :-)

Thanks Just Ballet & 2dancersmum, have received an unrelated e-mail from them & it says my payment and registration form can be used on the day. Phew! :-)

Has everyone who's attending Move It received their tickets? Granted I was late booking ( last Wednesday), just wondering when I should start panicking! :-o

I personally do not feel we should be discussing any children or young people who are not our own as often we do not have the full facts about that situation. I certainly would not be happy to come onto the forum to read members discussing my dd unless it was to respond to something I raised.

Many congratulations! How amazing for you that your business venture has been so successful and expanded so quickly :-). It only seems like the other day you were thinking about setting up the mail order business and asking us on the forum what we thought. Wish I had your business brain! I'll certainly be visiting stand 451 next week-end & no doubt be adding to your well deserved profits :-D

Many congratulations! :-)) It is a while since my DD did EYB but if I remember correctly the parts are given at the initial casting session so take your pointe shoes with you then, smile, perform and treat it like a second audition. Others will be able to tell you about the parts in Swan Lake but generally dancers have at least two dances and all perform on the finale. You will have a ball, enjoy! :-)

I'm taking my DD and her friend on Saturday 9th. They went last year with their CAT scheme but unfortunately that's not happening this year. They're not doing any classes but are looking forward to the performances ( think Wayne Mcgregor is there on the Saturday). I agree that it is brilliant for the exhibition stands and I for one am looking forward to seeking out Justballet. No doubt it will cost me!!! :-D

Wow, wondered if it was one of your dd's pics. :-) Always amazes me how when they're super talented at dancing they can also be super talented in other areas too.

Hi C4d, so sorry 2 hear your dd is under par. What a rotten time your both having :-(. Still they do say the bad times make us appreciate the good and you're certainly due some of those soon :-) At 11 my dd used to love those puzzle books so they may be useful to keep her brain active whilst her body recovers. Wishing your dd a speedy and full recovery.

Congrats to your dd Klaris. My dd didn't audition in the end but a friend from her CAT attended the workshop in Leeds on Saturday and was offered a place from that. We are looking forward to watching one of the performances :-)

Ballet Wests Aspiring Professionals course takes place monthly :-). Definitely worth a look.