Kitschqueen_1

The NYDC is seeking dancers who are passionate about dance, who come from diverse backgrounds with experience in any dance style, and who simply love to perform. As a member of NYDC you will get to work with 2013 Guest Artistic Director Jasmin Vardimon, perform in world class venues, learn different dance styles, take part in intensive rehearsal residencies, collaborate with professional choreographers and companies and find out about career pathways and different opportunities. To join NYDC the first step is to register for a NYDC Experience Workshop. NYDC Experience Workshops include a technique class, creative workshop and information on dance training, careers and NYDC. Selected dancers will be invited to attend a second workshop. The days are open to dancers aged 16-18 from diverse backgrounds, with experience in any dance style. There is no cost for the days, but places must be pre-booked through Sadler’s Wells. If you are a young person aged 16-18 years and think this is the place for you, please contact NYDC@sadlerswells.comor call 020 7863 8139. Bursaries are available to cover NYDC membership. NYDC Experience Workshops 25 November: Ipswich, DanceEast 2 December: London, Sadler’s Wells 15 December: Swindon Dance 6 January: Salford, The Lowry 19 January: Leeds, Yorkshire Dance 20 January: Newcastle, Dance City 26 January: Leicester, Curve Theatre 27 January: Kent, The Jasmin Vardimon Production Space 2 February: Birmingham Royal Ballet Studios 9 February: London, Sadler’s Wells 10 February: (Final selection) London, Sadler’s Wells NYDC 2013 Residencies 1-12 April: The Jasmin Vardimon Production Space 26 May-2 June: London, Sadler’s Wells NYDC Performances 2013 8 June: London, Sadler’s Wells 28/29 June: London, Sadler’s Wells 30 June: Kent, The Jasmin Vardimon Production Space 20 July: Leeds, U.Dance 2013 21 July: Salford, The Lowry 27/28 July: Bristol National Youth Dance Not sure if any balletcoers DC's are interested in this. I have registered my DD for the Salford workshop but unsure if it is do-able alongide her CAT scheme, local dance lessons and GCSEs! Amazing performance opportunities though. :-)

You're right! I was there on Saturday evening and didn't notice it then either! Fabulous pics from a magical performance.

Hi bangorballetboy, on my letter it says that the pre-performance activities start at 4.30pm but it doesn't say what these will entail. Last year these took place upstairs and there were mask making workshops, talks and lots of costumes on display and to try on. Great for younger children

Are there any other balletcoers going to the Royal Opera House on Saturday evening? Whilst there will be no surprises in RB's Nutcracker I love how it gets me in the Christmas mood . I've got my two young nieces coming too so it will be new and exciting for them and I'm sure they will love all the workshops and dressing up before the performance. I think a bit of retail therapy is called for too!

There is an application form on the website. Interesting how you have to provide documentary evidence if one parent is not available to sign!

My dd has successfully auditioned 3 times in the senior audition and in fact the first time she had only just turned 12 and hadn't even started pointe work! Pointe was not included in any of those auditions so I wouldn't worry too much. If she is successful then as others have said, she should take them to the casting session as she will be assessed then. Lots of luck to your dd and everyone else who is auditioning

Well, I went to see Sleeping Beauty last night and here goes with my first ever critique for ballet.co. It is only my own personal and humble opinion and I am not as articulate as many others on here! :-) I totally agree with Janet that the sets, lighting and costumes are absolutely spectacular and baby Aurora is pure genius. There are some very clever, funny and unexpected moments throughout the piece and it is visually stunning. However I did feel it was slightly disjointed. The only reference to the final act being in 2011 (apart from it being emblazoned across the curtain) was a few dancers strolling across the stage in hoodies and using mobile phones. It then, in my opinion returned to the dark Gothic influences of the first Act. I found there was not enough going on at the garden party in the second Act to keep me fully engaged until the appearance of Caradoc. I personally prefer David Nixon's interpretation of an Edwardian lakeside party in Northern Ballet's Swan Lake. However, I also enjoyed the duet between Aurora and Leo to the music of the Rose Adagio. Adam Maskell was dancing Carabosse/Caradoc last night and he was both menacing and charasmatic in equal measures. He commanded attention the whole time he was on stage. Ashley Shaw as Aurora was absolutely beautiful and had a fragile, ethereal quality to her dancing. In fact all the principal dancers and the fairies gave great performances. I was slightly disappointed in the group dance sequences, it was not as tight as it could have been and I found the choreography quite safe and a little dull if I'm totally honest! Having said all that it was a great night of theatre danced to an appreciative audience in a full house at The Lowry. I think one of the reasons why I personally was not totally bowled over by it is that last Friday evening I had the utter privilige of paying £1.00 to stand and watch the James Wilton Dance Company at the Riley Theatre in Leeds. The choreography in the 3 pieces performed was powerful, dynamic and innovative and like nothing I had seen before. The standard of dancing from James Wilton and Sarah Jane Taylor in particular was absolutely jaw dropping! With no props, no costumes, no gimmicks and 4 dancers it was the most exciting hour of dance I have ever watched. Move over Matthew Bourne I think James Wilton is the future!

I'm going to see this tonight!! Even more excited now I've read that review Janet, thank-you

Fingers crossed that it's the perfect fit for your DD Which one did you go for?

I wish you'd been around 2 years ago Just Ballet when I needed a tutu for my dd! :-D I think the ones you stock are absolutely stunning and whilst they are not cheap they are a fraction of the price I paid for my dd's that was custom made in the US. I think it depends on how prestigious this competition is (it certainly sounds it!) and how much you want to pay. The tutus that I have bought from dance direct only have 4 layers of tulle (compared to 10 layers in my dd's) and in my experience aren't particularly flat or pancake. I'm certainly not creative like 2dancersmum so there may be a way to improve this. There is another thread on here, sorry I am useless and cannot do links, where people recommend uk based tutu makers so that might be another option for you if there is the time. Wishing your dd masses of luck, it sounds really exciting! :-)

I can empathise with you C4D because as parents all we want is for our children to be happy and it is utterly heartbreaking when they aren't and you feel powerless to do anything to help. I think it is a huge testament to the strength of your relationship with your DD that she was able to tell you she wanted to come home when I'm sure she was aware of the huge personal sacrifices you had made to send her to vocational school. Enjoy having her home and I send best wishes to you both

I remember Bridget from EYB recommending a bit of resin and spit! :-D

Dance direct have them too

I've heard of children singing Happy Birthday or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star so I wouldn't worry about the song too much

Hope you enjoy your new class tonight Fiz :-)

I bought my dd a tutu from theatreballet.com 2 years ago. I was really anxious as it is an American company and the ordering/payment was done online and all the measurements I had to do myself (though their measurement chart was really precise). It wasn't cheap either but I have to say when it arrived I was so impressed and my dd was thrilled. The quality was superb and it fitted perfectly but with clever little design details to allow some growth! Their customer service was first class (as you would expect from an American company)and everything was done when they said it would be done. The only hold up was when it arrived in the UK and was kept in customs for several days!! It is worth looking at their catalogue online just for design inspiration! She's outgrown it now sadly but won't let me sell it so we have framed it and displayed it as a(large)piece of artwork. :-)

My dd loves her Gaynor Mindens....expensive but practically indestructable :-)

I know Julie, they are not cheap if you are at the higher end of the income spectrum. However I meant that classes and opportunities are created for the wider community and not just for those who have successfully auditioned for the CAT scheme. I know at my DD's scheme in Leeds, the Community Learning Dept provide far more than just the Yorkshire Young Dancers and many of the classes are heavily subsidised to make them more accessible.

I may be wrong.....frequently am but I thought all the CAT schemes, as part of their funding arrangements have to provide subsidised classes and opportunities for children in the local area.

Taxi, there's never a dull moment in your house!! All brilliant tales, you've really brightened up a dull Monday for me (though I do feel slightly guilty to be sniggering at your misfortune!)

TBH, I get really fed up with the bad press our teens get! I don't know if anyone saw the Panorama programme last week where it was reported that the largest number of hospitalisations for drink related ilnesses are amongst the 65+ but because they are drinking excessively at home in the main it is a hidden problem. Maybe this discussion needs to be shifted to Not Dance as we have gone so far away from the original topic!

It always concerns me when I collect my DD from her CAT scheme about the number of full time degree students who are smoking at the front of the building and in the quadrant. I know they are adults and many are from Spain and France where smoking is more socially acceptable, but I do feel that the younger students look up to them and wish it could be made less visible. I also agree with drdance's statement regarding the appetite suppressant qualities of nicotine which i know is a huge factor in why young females start to smoke. Alcohol (and cannabis) use is so normative amongst young people these days across all social groups and the pressures to conform are huge. I think in some ways this puts more pressure on our DC's when they are committed to their dancing but still want to fit in with their peers.

I feel really lucky.... whilst we get no big (or small) dance companies coming to our lovely Victorian local theatre (I just go there and watch all the local dance schools' shows :-)), I can easily access Manchester, Leeds and the gorgeous Alhambra theatre in Bradford.

How funny that you posted this just as I was just thinking exactly the same about my motivation for getting a dog now. I could easily see me getting into the world of showing to fill the void of driving to lessons, festivals, auditions etc. when my dd has left home. I was desperately sad and felt redundant when she no longer needed me to do her bun!!

I must confess that I have never been much of a dog person. I was never allowed one as a child ( despite much pleading) and over the years I became quite nervous around them. However over the last 12 months I have become more and more attracted to the idea of becoming a dog owner, maybe because my youngest will be "flying the nest" sometime in the near future. I really want a miniature dachshund so at the moment I'm trying to persuade my other half that this is an essential purchase when we move into our new house next month ( I hope I have more success that I did with my mother!!) I've been doing lots of research and reading around the subject but how great I can come to balletco too for advice. :-) Congratulations to you Julie too