Gingerbread

Thanks for the replies and I'm glad some Of you find it it interesting! Lots of useful suggestions here - please keep them coming!

Is there a database or list of not well known companies? My DD wants to "step off the rollercoaster " to quote another lovely thread I've been reading. She's looking to head into another career altogether. However, she would love the opportunity to still perform - part time for fun really. I have a feeling this idea is a bit "having your cake and eating it" but does anyone think it's at all feasible? I know she could still do workshops and master classes and so on but it's the performance aspect she wants to continue with on an ad hoc basis - and not for any pay. Sort of like EYB or something but for over eighteens! What does anyone think?

They don't have a safeguarding policy or much regard for this, which is what gave me cause for concern. I won't say any more here but anyone considering the school feel free to PM me.

ESPECIALLY when they are in their teens!

DD currently at ballet school but is veering towards more MT/contemporary so may be useful information for the future.Thanks Harwell. is a diploma course like a foundation course?

am I right in thinking Urdang is for age 18+ ?

I will look into it - although if it's Battersea the location could be tricky (depending on class times). Thank you for the tip! Are there any others we know of?

my DD won't have broken up yet - are there any other good Easter schools to be recommended?

the other schools will snap them up! Onwards and upwards to everyone affected. xxxx

We've had teachers supportive of NYB but not EYB due to perceived difference in standards.

Thank you! good to hear experiences from those of you also on the spectrum...... it's so true that actually performing for an examiner is easier for her because she won't see the examiner again. DD has definitely mentioned this feeling. I guess the problem is with the rehearsing/practising with the class and teacher. DD has the dvd and practises religiously in the sitting room at home, but NO ONE is permitted entry into the room whilst this is going on... (fair enough though)! Especially not her older sister when she's home. Sadly, DD often comes out of the sitting room angry and upset, saying she just can't do it. But she does keep going though!

what about at Central, where A'levels are optional I believe? Parents of dancers there who are doing A'levels get the child benefit, but those who choose not to do this extra studying don't get it?

thank you so much for all the helpful replies. I will be talking to her dance teacher after her next class and see what arrangements can be made. I haven't used the ballet.co forum for what seems like ages, and as soon as I post again i get all this support.... thank you everybody!!

Ah, thank you - I will talk to her teacher. Still interested to hear of anyone else's experiences. xx

Hello everyone - my youngest DD has Asperger's (high functioning autism) and the symptoms of this, for her, include anxiety problems and "freezing", being unable to smile, finding it difficult to make eye contact, smile etc - which are are all exacerbated when she is out of her comfort zone. She is currently working on Grade 6 RAD ballet with a view to taking the exam possibly in the summer. As she is entitled to certain special provisions at school to help her cope with her GCSE exams, I am wondering whether there is any possibility of the RAD taking into account her learning disability in a similar way? She works so hard and is a lovely little dancer - just does it for fun and exercise, no ambition career wise, but only ever scrapes Merits in her RAD exams despite all her hard work and potential to be the best in the class, according to her teacher. Her older sister is at vocational school and never had any issues of this sort - sailed through exams, auditions etc with only the "normal" level of worry/anxiety. Dance teacher reckons my youngest potentially could have been maybe even better than her older sister! so her learning disability definitely has held her back - and I am now at the stage where I'm wondering whether it is worth informing the RAD of the situation. Or do they not recognise such issues? I wonder if anyone could let me know, or whether anyone has had or is having a similar experience with their DD? Thank you!

My DD is at vocational school (year 12) which does mainly classical ballet, but also some musical theatre, singing, contemporary dance. DD has found, at the moment, that she is really really enjoying the contemporary and musical theatre! Would it be a good idea for her to do a summer school focusing on these areas or stick to the ballet for now? And can anyone recommend a good summer school for vocational students which has a lot of emphasis on drama/singing/contemporary/other forms of dance? Thanks!

First thing: ballet isn't a sport, it is Art. Secondly, calling it feminine is very damaging indeed and perpetuates the myth that boys should not do ballet. Resulting in ignorant bullying in some cases.

Thinking about this a little more, I think it does have a point and isn't gratuitously destructive. Has anyone seen The Red Shoes - of course you must have! This short film seems to me to be depicting a dancer compelled to dance by whatever force (magic or just her own need) desperately trying to "kill" the music and gain release. Sometimes you need to reflect on art a little bit?

at one point (pointe)? she says "je te deteste" (I think). Or rather, screams it. Perhaps you could interpret the short film as depicting this dancer's love/hate for her art - she wants to "make her mark" on the music, but is engulfed by the pain of the art at the same time. or something.

I'm not showing that to my DD - it's exactly the sort of thing she'd have a go at, and we have quite a new kitchen floor!!

Julie I referred to that issue in my earlier post

i will PM you - x

I'm not sure if the A'levels are optional or not because my dd is definitely doing A'levels! Regarding funding, they will definitely advise about this but it is a very small school and you need to speak to them directly about it. I would definitely say the training is fantastic and you have the advantage of VERY small classes. What's also great is that they perform loads, as Lin says. The next performance is on Friday 15th November 7.30pm at Cadogan Hall (Chelsea, Central London). Tickets are always for sale to the public and I would recommend anyone who is interested to try and get to the performance because it would give you an idea of the level the children are dancing at. Both vocational and non-vocational students perform by the way, so some may be less polished than others. There is no "tried and tested" route here really however - inasmuchas they won't be able to give you a long list of alumni and where they are now dancing or what companies they are with, because not many have been through the system yet. I think there are only 4 or 5 currently in the sixth form but I may be mistaken. My Dd's teacher taught the first (or is it second) boy to be accepted for the Bolshoi school from this country and there are currently ex-bolshoi school students there who are post 18 year olds. Hope this helps and feel free to PM me! and I should add that there are some great perks and privileges for example the opportunity to watch Bolshoi dress rehearsals in the summer at the Opera House in the best seats in the house. (my DD got to see Jewels and some older students saw 2 or 3 dress rehearsals including the one that was amazing I think it was Flames of Paris) I think some older students may even have been invited to take company class with the Bolshoi once or twice as well. the school does require 100% commitment however and they won't let you dance anywhere else if you are with them - but I think lots of places are like this. I've come across students from the well known vocational schools in the past who were attending various extra lessons, workshops, summer schools etc. "in secret".

Hi swan Princess, my DD is also there and is probably doing 6th form there too. You are welcome to ask me anything as well!

My DD is great at textiles and is predicted A* at GCSE - she would like to study this at A'level too, with the idea that if she doesn't make it into a dance company post 19 - 21 yrs of age she can apply for fashion or design college. There are actually BA degrees you can do in Performance Costume Design and that kind of thing.