Katymac

Well I was completely blown away by it I have never been so enthralled watching ballet before in my life (my previous favourite was 'I got rhythm' from Northern Ballet followed by this year's 'The Great Gatsby') & the music - just wow (only one piece I really didn't like the music for although the dancing was spectacular) & then the company came out afterwards to talk to DD's dance school I was so impressed

Thanks very much both of you I'm sure DD will love it.....but I don't often watch Ballet

I totally agree about honesty, but honest & rude? or polite & misleading? Some people aren't brave enough to say what they feel. & the distance one is tricky - you can look at a map, plan the journey but it only really hits when you've done it and you know how you/DD coped/how tired you were after. Two of the places we have looked at for post 16, DD has rejected - both because the style of teaching isn't quite the way she learns best; if they'd asked I think we would probably be honest.....but they didn't I think that brings up a question about different styles of teaching; I'm not sure if that's better in a separate thread? But although I'm asking for DD's friend, if DD were to audition (she is quite happy in her Sunday class) for me the feeling of the place and the way that they teach is perhaps more important than the genre of teaching. Maybe that's different if you are aiming at 'pure' ballet or contemporary and possibly someone aiming for Musical Theatre may not have the skills to enter the ballet? So maybe it's about the child's focus? DD has had 3 singing teachers, 2 inspired her and made her feel like she could be great - the other is technically better & teaching more techniqe but there isn't the emotional connection DD seems to need for successful progression. In the same way with dance schools/teachers, most of you know we left a funded scheme for DD to do one completely different because it wasn't 'quite' right. But I think my point is that without visiting the associate schemes (& often the only way to do that is at audition) how would you or your child know that one scheme is more suitable than another.

And (I know this is a daft question) if a child auditions for several associate schemes and happens to get into more than one; do the one they chose not to do get upset or annoyed.....or is it just one of those things?

I'm off to see Ballet Black with DD on Friday Has anyone else been to see them - what should we expect? Thanks

Thanks everyone - I'll pass the info on Can I ask; are all associate classes on a Sunday?

Or have they all auditioned already? Do they tend to be weekly or monthly? DD's friend (& her mum) are unsure if they have 'missed the boat' for a September start............

"I realised that this is because she wears school uniform every week day, until she comes home, changes straight into dancewear and goes to the Studio. Then she comes home, showers and gets into pyjamas. And at most weekends she just wears dancewear and then pyjamas." This is so my DD too; she went to her first gig a fortnight ago & tried to wear a leotard & practise skirt (she does ballroom), rather than jeans But the number of dresses she has for a show/performance then never wears again The other thing guys, is have you seen the cost of a new 'Ballroom' dress? I think I might be looking forward to buying tutus.........but probably won't have too!

Thanks very much Rae, when you are a non-dancing parent it's all very confusing.

I know nothing about the dance company; can anyone educate me?

OK - I know this is superficial and pathetic But what do I wear? Afternoon tea & then the Theatre.....

I took DD, her friend and her dance teacher to see this in Norwich on Friday night It was amazing! It was also fascinating to listen to the 2 girls working out the story...DD & her friend were very confused by it all and a bit shocked by the morals (which pleased me tbh) - they had a much better understanding than I did of the story as told by the dance and picked up on things I had missed (I 'sort of' know the story) - but their reasoning was hilarious The costumes were very clever; the low waist implied but leaving them able to dance!

DD missed out on her Easter course (although she did the Lion King one at Millennium for one day & loved it) Are there any one day courses around during half-term? TIA

I suppose that makes sense; over 2 weeks months of training have just 'clicked' into place

I have to say it's been a lovely experience

Yes maybe; the change is almost miraculous

...make everything clearer DD changed her weekend classes and all of a sudden contemporary makes sense Is it likely to be the change in teacher or a maturity in DD or something different?

Oh thanks - I'll order it for her; we spent hours on youtube last night looking for lesser known songs/shows Sight reading is always good - at the preaudition course they liked that DD could sight read

Great idea; customer here <waves> Our biggest issue is choosing songs; based on not being sure exact definition of what is 'musical theatre' is - then choosing what she can sing & finding songs that aren't too popular

Definitely 14+ School holidays but avoid summer schol weeks (or maybe target part weeks - you know at school on Mon/Tues so pick Thurs/Fri or vice versa) Also maybe email support for choosing audition songs (big problem atm)

Thanks; she will try & blag a spare partner tomorrow - she leads & follows so she normally finds someone spare. Last time they came 2nd with no practise (we thought it Waltz and it was Tango!)

McDonalds (inserts shocked face) We don't eat there! DD won't let us. (It's a winking face this time) [i'm on my phone so I can't see any smilie faces to add] I'm sure when I get home I'll work it out on-line properly & I imagine we will get good instructions/directions. We are in a Premier Inn deciding if we are too tired to go & order tea; before a comp tomorrow. & poor DD's partner is too poorly to come.

Sorry - that sound cheeky & I didn't intend it that way

Thanks Taxi - how far is it & what is the parking like? Will we have time for tea/dinner (& can you suggest anywhere)? & DD is planning on a quiet morning at school on the Monday as I guess it's a lateish finish (at least it is post GCSEs)

Can Dads come to the coffee meetup? We will need to share the driving as it's so far away