PlainJaney

They both dance several times a week and her friend does a particular associate once a month (not ballet). She does do a ballet one aswell. DD found a similiar class on Sunday mornings close to home for 45 minutes and was saying to friend she might see if she could start that because then she would get additional training in this area like her friend. Thanks for the replies.

Rowan, Not the only dancing they do. It was a conversation between DD and her friend and DD said she would prefer to do a particular class every week rather than once a month although if I'm honest the once a month class her friend was referring to is probably better quality training.

Which is better? Taking a class for example for 3 hours once a month or a class for 45 minutes every week? Thanks

I will contact the RAD school again and see if they do pointe and I have just missed it on the website. Do UKA do pointe (one of the schools was UKA) I will also try to find out what technique means. I will double check if I understood what the school meant that I thought said exams one year and show another, I may have mis understood. Me and DD were talking yesterday (it actually started in relation to her friend telling her that she's been going to other classes at weekend besides those she does with DD) As a result of this DD told me when she said she didn't want to be on stage she was saying that because she knows I can't afford the number of hours tuition her friend does (Around 20 hours a week) and that she believes she isn't as good as her friend because she only does half the hours. Therefore as much as I want to help DD if she really does want a job in dance I think we have both realised that it might not actually be possible and unfortunately isn't something I can keep up with financially or timewise. She wants to still spend time with her friends and be able to complete homework to the best of her ability aswell rather than rushing it because she's dashing to dance. I thank you all for your replies and just incase there is a tiny chance she can do something dance related all comments and advice will be taken onboard and we will look for the best training my limited budget can afford. Thanks again.

Reviewing a couple of the local schools we have found that there is differences in exam boards, differences in how often they do shows, some compete, some don't, so I have some questions. Which is better a school that only does a show every other year and exams the other year? A school that provides regular opportunities to perform via competitions/shows but doesnt do exams as often? A school that wears uniform or a school that allows students to wear whatever they want? Which exam board is better or are they all comparable? Are exams worth it (I was wondering if I could use the exam money for example towards an associate)? Is pointe needed (only one school actually mentioned pointe classes)? Are technique classes beneficial (ie one school we came across said for example ballet technique but current and two others don't have/mention technique classes)? Finally what classes other than ballet would you recommend a child does who wants a dance job but doesn't know what type yet? Would you advise to take a variety of classes for now or focus on more ballet for example? Would the answers to the above questions actually vary depending on exactly what dance job a child wants? Many thanks

Glowlight thank you so much for a clear and concise post. I really was starting to worry. I've no dance background so seeing her friend doing absolutely everything was making me feel a bit of a bad parent for not being able to afford everything. However I now understand a bit more and realise that dancing all the hours her friend does, doesnt necessarily mean she will be a far better dancer than DD and that she will progress a lot quicker and that it's like anything I suppose and about the right choices. I think i mentioned that her friend does seem to suffer with more injuries than DD and general illnesses, so perhaps it's is the lack of rest. The school opened about a year before DD started, we had been to one school before this one for a short while but due to moving house started at the new one. I think three older girls are studying dance at college, I'm not too sure how many do associates. I'm not too sure what DD wants, not sure she is really sure other than something related to dance, I think she is still looking at what there is and what she enjoys most. She's not as confident as her friend which is where I think she doesn't want to be on stage. Her friend wants to be a professional dancer. AnnaC I'm not sure about technique & artistry, it's all new to me. In relation to exams they do them on a regular basis but I believe that they are only entered if they are ready. Thanks all again.

Thanks for replying again AnnaC, how would I know if DD is getting good local training? Also if she doesn't do everything her friend does how will DD not be miles behind or is it more DD will be where she should be and her friend ahead or neither? Will look at a good associate and look at CATS. I think DD will have a plan B, she works hard at school and does fairly well in most subjects and if she does still say a job related to dance I will ensure she takes certain subjects alongside dance. When you say a slim chance of getting a paid job as a dancer do you mean as a professional dancer or any paid dance job? We were speaking yesterday evening after reading some of the replies. She didn't really say what kind of job she wants but said she doesn't think she wants to be a dancer on the stage, which is what I think her friend wants to be. Sunrise81 will look at Yorkshire ballet.

Thank you Jewel for the reply. I will into a good summer school if she still feels the same upon entering Y8. Now I think about it some of the workshops I've let DD go to may not actually have been the best. She's met some excellent choregraphers but they have been full on busy workshops and no individual attention but she's really enjoyed them but when funds are limited it may be best to be a bit more selective. Thank you glowlight, I've been looking at my budget; I was thinking perhaps one good associate if I could afford next year or the year after. Was just worried she may be miles behind by then. I think like you' I like my DD to have the time to relax and see friends aswell as fit homework in! Will speak to her dance teacher if DD is serious about some type of dance job. Also thanks for the sound advice about not comparing, it's hard not to when her good friend is doing absolutely everything and DD isn't but I do understand and myself and DD will focus on her path and her path alone and tried not to get distracted. Regarding burnout, her friend does get lots of injuries now I think about it so maybe that's from not resting? Neverdancedjustamum currently she just says a job. I think they have been talking about careers at school and this is where the dance job came from. Listening to what her friend does and the amount it is costing in time and money I think I understand your comment of exhausting. Anna, DD only does a bit of conditioning/stretching but her friend does 30/45 minutes everyday. Neither childs are prescribed for them. Valentina & Bolshoi I will look at what financial assistance is available. Thanks everyone.

DD almost 12 has been dancing since around 6. Just ballet and tap initially then over the years giving up different activities and gave up another at Christmas to focus more on dance. Now she takes several different styles, some styles taking two classes (ballet) She's quite passionate and she says she would like to do something related to dance for a job. Only being year 7, I assume she doesn't need to think about what that something is just yet (Y9 maybe?)? However I wonder if she will struggle over the next few years because she doesn't do the same amount of training as her good dance friend and therefore her friend will excel and DD will be lacking skills/technique. Unfortunately, I can't afford everything her friend does. She does all the classes that DD does (plus a few others at the studio they attend) plus a ballet associate on a Saturday and two other associates on Sundays. Her friend also attends lots of workshops, I send DD when I can afford it and get her there. Her friend takes private lessons aswell. DD does some stretch classes/conditioning at home but seems to struggle to fit it in every night like her friend because of homework and wanting time to relax/chat to friends whereas her friend is dance, dance, dance (she hardly chats to DD outside of classes anymore) To study dance further do you need to be in classes every day of the week, attending a couple of associates and spending every spare minute doing something to help with dance? If I can't afford more do I need to look at what classes she currently does and over the next few years? If she knows what something it is she wants to do with dance do I look at which classes will help the most, so far example dropping street for another ballet class? Would it be worth me suggesting to DD about applying for a good ballet associate and if funds don't stretch dropping all classes apart from ballet, tap and modern but would this mean the gap would widen more because she would have varied dance styles then? Thanks in advance.