Lemongirl

Dd is dancing at a festival this week and after song her first dance today we found the stage to be so slippery, almost all the girls nearly slipped over on stage. Dd was disappointed and felt she didn't dance well at all as she was so worried about slipping. She has further dances to do this week, does anyone have any tips to prevent slipping? She did spray her shoes with hairspray but it didn't seem to help.

Would it be too late to apply now for a non scholarship place?

Is it hard to get into? What do they look for?

Thank you. So is the osteopath not really the right person? He hasn't given her any exercises other than suggesting trying a wobble board. Is a podiatrist the same as a chiropodist?

Thank you, just to clarify I'm not suggesting she does pointe work now, I'm just looking ahead to the future. At their school they don't start pointe till about 11 as a minimum. In any case, I don't think she will be that keen to do pointe anyway, but was interested to find out the possible positive effects on her ankles.

My middle dd who is 10 has had problem ankles for some time. They tend to roll inwards and she sometimes gets pain. She is under an osteopath who has given her heel pads for her shoes and more recently, orthotics. She does ballet but nowhere near as keenly as her older sister. The osteopath thinks ballet is good for her ankles and pointe work in particular being good to strengthen her ankles. I am really hoping she keeps up the ballet but tbh I think she might want to give up soon. Is it true that pointe work will help her ankles and what else might help?

Sounds lovely, I wonder why boarding isn't an option if the school has broken up...?

I see from Trings website they are running a summer school from 22nd-25th July. Does anyone know any more info about this, what ages/levels, whether day or residential etc? Thanks.

Sussex summer school clashes with our holiday unfortunately. We are away 26th July - 9th aug. But dd could go to Ballet West before that.

Ballet West looks good credmond, can you give me some more info on the classes, ages, grades etc. Is it near an airport??

They were all v excited to meet Victoria backstage but dd told me Harper got all the attention!

It was amazing! So glad we decided to go for it in the end. Dd had such a great time and the show was just fabulous. We're looking forward to seeing the DVD now. I can't believe it's all over for this year! Well done to everyone.

So if I don't get my licence in time, will I still be able to help out as backstage helper as long as there are enough licenced chaperones?

I am hoping to chaperone for Three Counties Youth ballet whose show is this coming weekend. Unfortunately my county council have messed up my application due to someone being off sick so I may not get my licence in time, in which case I won't be able to do it. They have really tightened up on things and now say anyone applying for a chaperone's licence has to attend a course on Safeguarding Children. I also had to have a face-to-face interview. Is this normal with other councils? When I chaperoned (twice) with EYB last year, I wasn't asked to apply for a licence. I was told a recent CRB was enough. But my council have told me that really isn't enough and they should have covered themselves (and me).

Thank you :-)

My dd usually prefers to!

Dd has asked me to get her some for when she dances in bare feet. Can someone explain the benefits of wearing them and which type should I get? Thanks.

Is that quite a new thing then? I'm pretty sure dd did an exam for pre-primary, would have been about 6 years ago.

They all look very high cut. I presume they don't wear knickers underneath?

Out of interest, is there no pre-primary exam any more?

Dd needs a flesh coloured leotard for wearing under a costume. Can anyone recommend one that isn't too expensive? I haven't a clue what size to go for. She is an average sized 11.5 year old, about 146cm tall, medium build.

Spanner - I was actually thinking of the LCB performance course which looks great. Only problem is, the dates are fine for dd who finishes school on 5th July, but most of her friends haven't broken up yet and if she doesn't find someone to go with I'll be going backwards and forwards to Hammersmith myself every day that week. With 2 younger dds that's going to be a pain! Do you know if it's near the tube?

We're in London

Can anyone recommend a residential summer school that you don't have to audition for? Dd is keen to do something in the summer and is happy to do a residential course. Plus it's much less running around for me! She's 11 and RAD Grade 4 standard.

Kat - do you know from when your daughter auditioned, how many were trying for how many places? And do they assess flexibility?