Lemongirl

We had a lovely day in Covent Garden today We started off at Freed. It was nice and quiet and I asked for either Beth or Sophie as recommended! Neither were in so we were served by another lady whose name I didn't get. Dd tried on about 3 pairs and the fitter recommended a particular pair. Dd seemed happy but the fitter suggested we shop around and come back if need be. I said to dd we may as well look in Bloch now we're in town. So off to Bloch we went and asked for Tiffany. She doesn't work there any more! However it was definitely worth going as the fitter we had (Yasmin I think?) was very thorough. Dd must have tried about 10 pairs of shoes! Each time she was asked to pile in first and tendu to the side and then rise onto pointe with feet parallel. They had a barre and tv screen so her feet could be seen from the side. We brought with dd's old pair (which are also Bloch but bought locally) and the fitter said they weren't really right for her feet which she said often happens with local shops as their have a poor selection. Anyway after spending ages trying all the different shoes, the fitter recommended the best pair for dd so we bought those! However I have a question for all you knowledgeable people: we bought ribbon with the elastic bit built in. I thought the elastic would be at the end of the ribbon but it's in the middle. Is this the best option? Dd's only had ribbons before but the fitter recommended elastics as well as ribbons for these shoes. Would separate ribbons and elastics be better? Also, I've seen a You Tube film made by Grishko where they keep the ribbon in one piece and sew it around the back of the shoe so your heel sits on top of the ribbon. Apparently this keeps the foot in the shoe better. What do you think of this method? I obviously wouldn't be able to use that method with the elastic ribbons as they are already cut into four.

My dd is starting Grade 5 in September too. I don't know when she'll do the exam, maybe summer 2014. But if she's not ready by then, will she still be able to take it in the Autumn 2014? 2dancersmum - when will we know the date for sure?

Sorry just one more question - should she take with her old pair for them to see?

Dd finishes school tomorrow (!) so we'll go mid-week, hopefullly it will be nice and quiet!

I would say that even if not going to vocational school, friendships change hugely in Year 7 and up. I would largely echo what others have said in that it depends on the child and really it's up to them to choose which friendships to maintain. I totally agree about Facebook, we don't like it either. Does your dd have a mobile and her friends' numbers? If so, I would leave it at that but remember even if you nag her to keep in touch with friends, she might or might not!

Thanks

Thank you, this site is fab! Dd says, and I don't know if she's right, that she needs a softer shoe as her feet aren't particularly flexible. Apparently Bloch are harder and better for flexible feet to give support. Does that sound right? Think we will try Freed anyway.

Thank you. Is there a particular type of foot that suits a Freed shoe over a Bloch shoe?

Thanks, a lot of useful advice here. Dd needs a new pair of pointe shoes, she's just outgrowing her first pair. We went to a local shop the first time and bought Bloch as advised by her teacher. But I'm wondering now if they were really the best option for her. She said they never really 'broke in' properly. So for the next pair I'm going to take her into town and get properly fitted. But shall I go to Bloch where they obviously only sell Bloch shoes, or Dancia where they sell everything? Or Capezio??

Belfast and Norwich are on there now!

Dd did Swan Lake last year in Dartford. I think most of the older girls were swans going from memory. She'll have a great time!

Thanks! We had a very easy journey by train, the station was very close to the theatre. Still waiting to find out the rehearsal venue though....

Dd got a place yesterday and is over the moon!

Is anyone's dd or ds auditioning for EYB in Wimbledon tomorrow? Dh has pointed out to me that the tennis starts tomorrow so traffic and parking will be a nightmare! We are thinking of going by train to be safe.

I'm hoping they'll go to Aylesbury and Dartford again, they did both in 2012!

Well one teacher said they're fine, but another teacher said the RAD don't really like them...

It's Grade 4. Should she play safe by wearing full soles?

I've heard different opinions about this. I know the RAD allow them now for exams but I've also heard they're frowned upon. It's for Grade 4. Dd would prefer to wear split soles for her exam but not if it possibly means marks being knocked off!

Does anyone have any experience of their associate scheme?

When's the course pat de chat?

If the new Grade 5 comes out in January, does anyone know when's the latest you can take the old syllabus?

Gosh is a Grade 5 new as well? Dd starts that in September. Is it also much harder than the old one?

Oooh, at they doing it again at Harpenden this year? My dd is going!

Slightly off topic, but I LOVE the Clog Dance from La Fille mal gardee, one of my favourite pieces of music ever.

Has Grade 4 been changed?