Elliepops

Pyromaniacs and balletomanes of the world unite! J x

With regard to the Janet Cram awards - the ISTD modern competition states for Premier level - age 13 and under 17,must have passed grade 6, inter foundation or intermediate. So it appears that the modern committee of the ISTD don't have an issue with the maturity of the work. After free warm up the floor work to be demonstrated is from Inter F and the amalgamations from intermediate. J x

If you aren't confident using a naked flame the cigarette lighter in a car also works very well to seal the ribbons.

Worthing is a small theatre - 4 performances required, a logistical nightmare backstage IE there is virtually none! It's a former cinema so they close the upstairs bar to use as dressing room space and to access the stage the dancers come down into the foyer, out the front door of the theatre walk down the street - with feet in plastic bags and under brollies when it rains and in through the dock doors to side of stage that has wing space (only a corridor the other side). To cross from one side of stage to the other you go down a spiral staircase with no handrail - a rope hangs down the middle of it to hold onto, and then zig zag under the stage). They must like it tho to come back again and again. J x

Just reminded me Rowan, they do stress tests in PE which really focus on core strength.DD wipes the floor with the other girls in her year - including the county hockey,netball,athletics ones and two who are in the England development programme for tennis.The PE teachers are bemused - DD told them core strength is very important for ballet. J x

DD has been told by the instructors that teach rowing at school that she is "a natural". Apparently her coordination and timing on the slide even as a novice are better than far more seasoned club rowers. High jump,long jump and hurdles are also respectable. J x

Very proud of DD for always being glad to have just got into anything (she's always been hyper aware how lucky she is and mindful that there can't be places for everyone) - never mind what part you play there is always something valuable to learn.She has always just been pleased to be in it. For EYB to be able to put together an entire ballet in only 10 or 11 rehearsal days the choreography needs to be possible for the majority of the cast immediately so the performance element can be worked on. In our own experience they can and have made choreo harder for certain groups where as a group they can cope with more, likewise for duo/trios and solos, for example the big friends in Coppelia usually do almost the exact RB version. While at associate classes she has been taught the whole white act RB version of Swan Lake in rep classes and to do it flat out is certainly nowhere as easy as it looks. J x

Don't forget that there are also a number of bursaries available for YBSS. DD went two years ago - we had paid for one week and out of the blue received a phone call from Marguerite Porter saying they were refunding our payment as they had chosen her for a full bursary for two weeks. We hadn't applied for one and hadn't auditioned for a scholarship either. J x

It might just be me (and my eyesight ;-) ) but in the last picture it looks like it is intended to go over the top of a traditional shoe. Could this benefit any dancers?? Has it been tested and if so who has been using it? Pointe shoe manufacture has remained broadly quite traditional for the past 100 years or so with a few exceptions in materials used by a handful of makers,Gaynor,Capulet and Bloch spring to mind. Anjuli - what are your thoughts.

I've kept a selection of her pointe shoes and flats to make a box picture with - when I get around to it ! She is being fitted next week for pointe shoes for the Olympic Closing Ceremony and I think we'll do something special with those as a memento of the Olympic experience. J x

The Institute of Conservation - www.icon.org.uk can give advice on textile care, and have some of their literature online. The Conservation Register - www.conservationregister.com can provide a list of qualified professional conservators, contact details and examples of previous work. J x

While DD's current school is excellent it is syllabus based and DD loves "free work" when she gets the chance to do it. Associate classes are a good way to access non syllabus classes as well as other things that may not be offered by a local school - contemporary, pilates, stretch and strength. Most local schools will not have huge numbers of dancers who are suitable for and desire vocational level training. An associates scheme is a good opportunity to train with like minded, focused peers of similar ability.Most but by no means all schemes are run by or linked to full time vocational dance schools or companies (Ballet West), and therefore the standard of teaching is high and the expectation of the performance of the children is too. For some schemes there will also be the opportunity to dance with leading ballet companies in their professional productions - EG: Royal Ballet Associates and Elmhurst PVP's are regularly chosen to dance with the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. J x

If you are not fazed by using an international site then the Sansha Eurostore site is a good one. I usually order a couple of times a year and and therefore exceed their minimum order threshold - there is an english language option but everything priced in euros (it's a french site) . They do have some great sales usually twice yearly (convertible ballet tights for 1 euro springs to mind). I have clubbed together with other dancing mums to purchase stuff too - again to address the minimum order issue. They have a Sansha London site too now but haven't tried that yet as DD is in London for associates and nips to Drury Lane after class if she needs anything urgently. J x

All DD's ballet classes include stretching and flexibility was tested as part of the audition for the associates she is in at Central. She is naturally flexible in some areas but by no means all.She's had to work on stretching and little and often is what we've found is working the best for her over a number of years. 5-10 mins everyday, to increase and then maintain the flexibility - as soon as you stop you will as your DD has found start to lose what you've gained. They do get frustrated and for a child a week, month or year can seem like forever, so as Anjuli says it's important she doesn't try to rush it and cause injury. J x

The web address for Sussex Summer School is - www.sussexss.demon.co.uk J x

Unfortunately the Central School of Ballet, ENB and ISTD summer schools have age limits / minimum grade criteria which don't match your DD. The RAD summer school at Roehampton and the Cecchetti summer school at Tring would be in her age / ability range and you do not have to be following their syllabus to participate.A summer school outside London which some dancing friends have done and would recommend is Sussex Summer School at Forest Row. J x

People certainly are prepared to travel huge distances for good associate schemes. There is a girl in the pre senior ladies class at Central with my DD who comes from Barry in Wales every week.When DD was at Legat there was a family considering travelling from scotland every week for their associate classes, and I have heard of similar for the RB JA classes in London. I think the RAD have started running some associate classes which I think have been in Birmingham and it is also worth looking at the BRB website for their insight days/ classes which are very good too. J x

Hi. My daughter didn't audition as she is not planning to apply for vocational dance schools, however a number of her classmates in the Pre Seniors at Central did audition and have gone through to finals. J x

Unlike the USA there is no "no child left behind act" or similar in the UK. Single sex schools are common in both the independent (private) and state (public) school systems. I believe provision is included in the plans for the Class Free school to run evening classes to cater for some girls and the teaching of pas de deux classes which would be mixed. J x

What about something upbeat from one of the Disney movies? A safe bet for being age appropriate and no risque lyrics. DD has used "Zero to Hero" and "A Star is Born" from Hercules for modern solos in the past, the second one has a slight "gospel" feel to it. Good Luck for the audition. J x

I use a curved needle as I find it easier to use for darning than a straight one. Like Anjuli I've found a needle with a long slim eye works best. Not too fine a one as they can bend and snap. Definitely need the thimble as it can be tough pulling / pushing through several layers (on the pleats) and some makers seem to use a lot of glue which can make pulling through the needle harder. J x