angel

4 hours ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

For what age?  Do Bella danza do anything?

Age 11. Can’t see anything on their website 

3 hours ago, Princessballerina said:

Think Centre Pointe do Contemporary at The Pointe on Sundays.

That would be perfect. I’ll suggest this to my friend 😀

3 hours ago, dancertaxi said:

The Lowry do some open classes in contemporary

Thank you. That’s helpful 🙂

Does anyone know of a contemporary class in or around Wilmslow?

1 minute ago, Kat09 said:

Thanks Angel - what a path we have travelled together xx

I wish so much that I could have talked to people like us, at the beginning of this journey and been open minded enough to believe how absolutely gruelling vocational training is and how damaging it can be to young minds and family relationships.

I wouldn’t have listened 😕  

37 minutes ago, balletmadgirl said:

Wishing you good luck to you and your daughter in the future.I am not able to read that blog,maybe because I don't use Instagram? so not sure of all your daughter's difficulties.

My daughter didn't manage to continue in dance either,after starting at Upper School level.It was difficult for us all to cope with because it was all she had ever wanted to do.Unfortunately she could just not cope with the mental stresses involved,which also has a knock on effect on physical aspects.I'm sure this would be the case further on in her dancing life too.

She now does a ballet class for fun/exercise each week so hasn't dropped it completely.It still makes me sad when I think about what 'could have been'

I like to think of it as the path not taken. 

Dear Kat09,

your post will resonate with many on here (or perhaps those in your/our position) are all gone by now.

Those just starting out, please listen to your child. There are so many children I know who are fighting their own silent battles. With many, eating too little is the problem but anything that gives control back or shows how out of control we feel, can creep in. 

I read your dd’s Blog earlier and thought how wonderfully empowering it must be to own this part of her journey and put it out there. I loved her comment re being kind. It is a lesson to all. This world of ballet can make monsters of many as parents and children alike compare and criticise classmates and competition companions. Teachers and mirrors do enough damage without this. People have commented that she has been courageous. Yes..but how sad that that being honest about struggling to fit into this mould of perfection that ballet sets out is so unusual. How sad that it is inevitable that most of our beautiful uk students will fail to live up to the standard that the uk schools expect of uk students. 

I know your dd will use the strength that she has gained to make a great life for hersel and that you’ll both recover from this chapter. Keep in touch. 

Angel x

Both of my dd’s have always come home every weekend. It’s the only thing that kept them sane!  Having time out from the boarding house was essential.

Having dd’s at different vocational schools meant I couldn’t do all journeys. My older dd travelled with a boy from her year for many of the journeys and I contributed to petrol and I took the younger one. Occasionally they both caught a train to Birmingham to meet me. 

That said, every child is different and every family situation too. 

I think the answer here is to get a teacher who can break it down for her. Start again from scratch. 

Yes, get in touch with Nicola. You won’t regret it

My dd has done all of the courses mentioned above at one time or another and Woodside Dance Retreat is absolutely the best value for money.

The small class size means that each young dancer gets individual attention and the positivity in the studio (and their home) is wonderful after a term at vocational school!

So glad we found them!

It is possible to do JA’s fortnightly. Not sure about Newcastle centre but if you call RBS they are always helpful and friendly (admin staff at least 😂). 

I know many people who have travelled that distance. Don’t underestimate the impact on family life though if you have other children. 

I even know a lovely lovely lady who is planning to travel from Scotland to London for SA’s this year! 😊

Good luck with auditions. JA’s can be a magical experience x

In theory, this shouldn’t be any different to the usual letter that vocational schools require for full time school. 

Does it ask if your dd has any health conditions which would mean that dancing to that intensity would be inadvisable?

If so, a letter that states... dd has no condition which the gp feels would hinder her ability to participate fully, would suffice, I would imagine?

Is your dd at vocational school now? If so, I would say that the US school is asking if you can do the same thing, there. 

I saw a couple just like you describe at Stardust (Lichfield) this morning. 

5 minutes ago, Danceintherain said:

 

It's still something amazing to add to her CV of successes too. 😊

Indeed it is

Yuck! That’s not a great idea. Personally (and with years of hindsight) I’d invest my time and money on a private lesson nearer home. 

My DD wasn’t allowed to do MA’s when she was at Hammond. I think it is very short sighted of them. Hope they change their minds (does it still clash with the timetable?)

Advanced Associates for my DD. Nice news after a tricky couple of years

1 hour ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

 

I hope your dd's auditions and results have gone well for her.

Thanks Pictures. We have a lot of thinking to do. She’s hoping to go to America but waiting to see how funding there works and if she can go at 16 (or if she should stay where she is for now)

1 hour ago, FlexyNexy said:

My DD had YES letter from Tring for upper school back in February...but they can not offer board (bed) or funding audition for her ....i wonder what was the point of even sending the offer to her? 

Believe it or not there are several students who can afford (or at least manage to raise) full fees! 

We have our upper school results from Tring. I think most of the current students already know. Perhaps they let them know first?

1 minute ago, Twoballerinas0004 said:

I have been reading this topic closely and feel compelled to add our experience. My daughter (year 9) is at a top uk lower school and has been since year 7. She is incredibly happy and always has been. She has had amazing experiences and opportunities which will stay with her forever. 

The pastoral care has been great and very supportive when we have needed help. I also feel that the teaching, both academically and dancing is exceptional. 

We are now in the process of auditioning my older daughter for upper schools, something we would never consider if my younger daughter were not so happy and healthy in her school. 

My daughters are in love with dance and it is an amazing opportunity to be able to follow your dreams. 

This is lovely to hear.  I hope both of your DD's are very happy for a long time to come. 

12 minutes ago, Picturesinthefirelight said:

Is part of the problem that certain top schools don’t allow visits/open days apart from briefly at finals as they choose you not the other way around?

Open days don't allow people insight into the workings of a school behind the scenes though do they...

9 minutes ago, tabitha said:

My DD always had good pastoral care from house staff and academic staff. The real issue is the treatment in the ballet studio and the way they behaved on occasion was deplorable. The void that exists between ballet and other staff means that these problems can’t be addressed as they operate in their own world and other staff very much know their place and often aren’t ever spoken to or acknowledged by the Ballet staff. It’s like there are two completely different schools within one.

Having a non dancing DC in the same schools as DD, the different experience is enormous! 

1 minute ago, Anna C said:

 

No, you are right Flora.  Nothing is guaranteed in the ballet world!  

 

I do remember a previous thread a few years ago that really alarmed a newish ballet parent who said that she had been put off one particular school.  As useful and as important a discussion as this is, it should be remembered that 1. Not all parents of ballet students are members here; there are others who are no doubt quite happy with their child's vocational school, but we're not hearing their stories.  Secondly, I'd urge all prospective ballet parents to read and absorb people's posts here, bear them in mind, BUT visit the schools, do your research, ask questions, get a gut feeling and *then* decide whether to accept an offer.  No school, ballet or otherwise, is perfect for everyone but it would be awful if our experiences alone swayed a new poster so much that they were completely put off.   So important to explore every avenue when making such a huge decision. 

Anna C, we hear the positives all the time on here and I have never seen such a useful and measured discussion about this topic.  It is easy for those reading to think that those commenting all have DC's who haven't been successful in the school and so have a reason to feel negatively about the school.  I have heard So many sad stories from my DD's year who have been through WL, all the way through to US or for only a year.  

I feel genuinely sick to my stomach when people I like tell me that their child has a place there.  I remember the excitement and pride when she got in vividly.  I'd only heard about the school from JA's and other parents who didn't dare tell me anything negative for fear of saying something about their own DC that might get out, which I fully understand now.  However....