Nimbus

Thank you for all your lovely replies, its been reassuring to read them. Eloise dd is a little older at 13 so will have been in the higher age group and your right the teaching was impressive. It made us both realise how restrictive her teaching has been, they are taught to syllabus with no other exercises done, it may mean they can pass exams but it is not allowing them to learn other things such as quickly remembering new step patterns or even how to improve a step such as practising it by flexing first and then pointing the foot. The open classes are a good idea but unfortunately we live to far away to attend those but dd is putting lots of the advice given through the lesson now into her home practice, such as moving away from the barre and doing the steps in the center. She is also working on her flexibility especially through the the hip area. I've been impressed with how she has come away self confidence undented and determined to improve for the audition. She expects to receive a "no" letter but is looking forward to the experience of dancing there again.

DD has been rather sheltered at her local ballet class, working through RAD (now Grade 6) she has been gaining strength, respectable marks and a love of ballet. Wondering what the next step would be we went yesterday to the open day at Northern ballet, neither of us knowing much about associate programs or what is expected. She loved the day and managed well with the exercises until it came to the more complicated enchainments. Some of the steps she had never done before and with nerves kicking in struggled to remember those parts. Other dancers were obviously much more advanced in terms of flexibility and ability. She came away having enjoyed the session though knowing she was out of her depth at times. The teacher had said the day would be more complicated than the auditions but we have been left wondering if she should apply or not. Hoping some of you more seasoned at this may be able to offer some advice?