Lemongirl

Thank you. I'll ask although I do feel a bit uncomfortable. Part of me thinks if you've committed to something that should be it unless ill. A ballet exam seems somehow more of a valid excuse than auditioning for another company!

Dd is just about to start rehearsals for EYB in Wimbledon. We've applied for her to audition for LCB and her audition time clashes with an EYB rehearsal. She would probably have to miss the first 3 hours of a 6 hour rehearsal period. I know attendance is really important but do you think they would allow her to attend the audition?

Dd is thinking of trying for Tring Park Associates on Saturdays. She's tried a few times for the CBA and hasn't got in so thought she'd try for the associates in the meantime. Plus she's quite keen to try tap, jazz etc She got a place for the associates about 3 years ago but we couldn't let her do it as the timing was difficult. Now I know the non-syllabus ballet class for her level is later on, it's more do-able. I'm sure it's very well taught and she'll gain a lot from the classes. Does anyone have any personal experience of the associates? Also, regarding the travel. As anyone with dancing dc (plus siblings) will know, I do a LOT of ferrying around during the week and more when dd is doing something like EYB. I want to try and keep travel to a minimum at the weekend to have some time with my other dds. The train line to Tring goes quite near our home so I had this idea perhaps she could go to and from herself. I know the station at Tring is too far to walk but I thought she could maybe get a taxi or someone could drop her at the station after her classes. But I don't know if that's expecting too much of her. If she did it, she'd start in January, she will be 13 in May so is used to travelling to and from school herself. Do you think this is feasible?

Completely agree meadowblythe. But whatever happens, we WILL have a two week summer holiday as we always have done. But I don't particularly mind if it's at the start or end of the summer so I'm happy to take into account dd's summer school wishes.

We are thinking about our summer holiday next year and wondering which weeks to leave free for dd to do a summer school. Do most of them tend to be at the start of the summer, ie late July/early Aug? I saw something about the OPES one which I think is mid August?

Is anyone going to the casting in Wimbledon on Wednesday? I will be there with my dd.

Thanks, that's a shame. Oh well maybe next year.

Oh no! Dd couldn't do it last year as it was a family member's birthday and I promised her she could go this year!

Does anyone know if this is happening this year? I can't see any info on the website. Thanks.

Sneezy thank you so much for the info on the OPES one, what a shame we found out too late, we were home from holiday on the 10th so she could have gone! That would have been a perfect week too as I was busy with dd2 then! Oh well there's always next year. How old is your dd and did she know anyone going?

I'd forgotten about this post! She did 4 days at Trings summer school in mid-July and a couple of days at Harpenden. Both very good, think she enjoyed Tring a bit more and it was more of a full day. She might do a residential one next year.

Just got me thinking - if pointe shoes need either darning or suede toe caps, couldn't they be manufactured in the first place with something other than satin at the toe...? What's the reason I wonder..?

Oh no, dd will be gutted!

What's the upper age limit for the Xmas weekend? Dd is keen to go again this year buy will be 12.5.

What about Watford Palace Theatre?

Disappointed they're not going to either Aylesbury or Dartford next year. Think Bromley is quite close to Dartford though.

Pas de chat, my dd also did the Tring Xmas weekend not last year but year before - 2011. She had a fabulous time. The thing I remember most seeing the Waltz of the flowers performance on the Sunday was dds expression. She can be quite a serious dancer and finds facial expression very difficult. But at that performance, she had a beautiful smile throughout, very natural not forced. It honestly looked like a different child, I couldn't believe it! I don't know what Tring did to bring that out in her. I haven't seen her smile like that on stage either before or since! That memory will always stay with me.

Dd says yes they are!

OMG, I have finally finished! I hope these ribbons will be worth it as I had a bit of a nightmare (and, I'm afraid to say, a bit of rage from me along the way!). What with making sure the elastic bit was on the achilles tendon AND getting the ribbons the right angle AND how far forward....TOO MANY VARIABLES!! Must have re-pinned them a million times, dd gingerly putting her feet in avoiding the pins etc! I think it might have been easier with separate ribbons and elastics even if that involves more sewing. I have learnt today that my sewing (and my patience) are not as good as I thought...

Thank you. Yes it does seem a simpler method so will definitely try next time. But this time I'll stick to the elastic ribbons which is my job for tomorrow. NOT looking forward to doing it especially making sure that the elastic bit is round the back on her achilles tendon before cutting and sewing them! Can someone remind me, I know the ribbons are angled on the shoe but I can't remember if the higher bit is at the front or the back...?

I might see if I can get a pair on Ebay as I have a feeling dd's growth is really slowing down (I reached my final shoe size aged 11!). Should I go for taps on the heel and toe or just toe?

About a 4.5/5

Dd is doing a few days at Tring Park summer school in a few weeks time. The letter has specified that they should bring tap shoes if possible. Dd's never done tap before although she would like to try it. Is it worth buying tap shoes? How much are they roughly? If she doesn't bring them, I presume she won't be able to do a tap class? I've asked around if anyone has any she could borrow but no luck so far.

Thank you. I know this a stupid question, but where exactly IS the Achilles' tendon??