munchkin16

Just a warning on the capezio tights, the colours are very different. I can't remember which is which but one is very pink and one is paler and more orangey. Double check before you order if you are fussy about colour like me! I ended up with some very long lasting tights but brighter pink than I wanted. My ballet flats are a pale canvas that has more orange under tones and I'm very fussy about things matching! Also they've come out with a self knit waistband version that is great if you don't like the tight waistband digging in like it does on the old style.

Capezio ultra soft ones last me forever they seem very sturdy but super soft too!

I think I have a similar problem where my hair creates an annoying fluff around the top of my head when left untamed. One alternative to braiding it is to twist the edge pieces up into the bun. If you do this when they are damp the curls at the side won't escape so much. I also have used Got To Be Glued hairspray which isn't as strong as some others but brushes out really nicely so you wouldn't need to wash the hair too often. It also leaves my hair really soft. Another tip for not putting too much product into the hair is to spray the hairspray onto your hands first, then stroke the fluff into place. Use some hair grips too to keep the fluff tamed. I know you say the ends aren't split but it's possible the weight of her hair (if it's really long) is causing pressure on the top hair and making it break more. Maybe cutting it might put less stress on the hair at the top? Either way I wouldn't worry too much for class, I think most people end up with a little messy hair if they've been working hard. Maybe see if she can wear a thin hairband similar to her hair colour, pinned in, to keep the halo from appearing?! You can get stretchy ones for sports and the gym or I make one out of old black tights that is thin but works well enough.

The transport systems in both Taiwan and Japan are exceptionally clean and well run, always on time. The culture makes it easier though, eating or drinking is not allowed at all once you go through the barriers and you would be very rude to do so, especially on the train, so there is no rubbish. There are no free newspapers either to be left lying around! The pushing does happen in Japan but it's not everyone pushing, just the platform staff. In both Taiwan and Japan there are lines on the platform in front of where each door will open and people queue neatly. If the train is full and the buzzer goes for the doors closing people won't run and push to get on, they will stop and start a queue for the next train. I agree late hot trains make you more irritable but it's no excuse for being selfish to someone who genuinely needs a seat. I happily choose to stand sometimes but there have also been days when I was really tired from spending 10 hours standing in very high heels and would hope someone else would give up their seat instead! The culture is very different in Asia though because it's very strongly ingrained from a young age. Things are changing in the younger generations though.

In Taiwan on the metro they have stickers that people who are pregnant or with disabilities can wear to show they need a seat. people are normally quick to offer a seat. Also the priority seats for pregnant and disabled are always left free, the mobile never use those seats so those with invisible disabilities don't have to ask. The culture is very different there but I think it's a better attitude, if you sit in those seats people assume you need to be sitting. If the train is busy those seats are often still empty, no one takes that seat just incase. I've even seen someone pregnant sitting there offer the seat to an elderly lady!

So I'm supposed to be doing an adult ballet class tonight but I'm not sure if I should be worried about my toes. I spent 10 hours in some very high heels for a job last week that left my feet feeling very bruised under the toes. My feet have mostly recovered but I was turning in the kitchen over the past couple of days and when I go on Demi pointe and turn I get a slight stabbing feeling under my middle toes on my right foot. It seems so minor. Should I be cautious dancing on it? This is the same foot I chipped my 5th metartasal on last year if that impacts it at all? I'd be grateful for a little advice as I really want to dance tonight but am overthinking it now!

If you have to take a laptop into school and want a backpack, amazon have some really good ones in lots of colours (including black) with a built in slot for a laptop. I use it for other things but it would make a good school bag and mine was less than £20 too.

You need a plan. Write it down and ask to sit down with them and talk it through. Explain how much this means to you because of how important dance is to you. Tell them this is a rare opportunity given your age and so the school believes you have potential. Look at the schools graduates and where they go on to. Is that where you think you would like to work? They are investing in your future so you need to reassure them the money will not be wasted. Show them your plan for before, during and after training. Have a plan B. Nothing is certain but you can tell them your love of dance, how hard you will work and the huge number of other skills that will make you employable in any field. Ask them to give you, 3, 5, 10 years, whatever is reasonable, to make this work. If it doesn't you'll start on your plan B happy you had a wonderful opportunity and gaining lots of skills. Hopefully it won't come to that! Congratulations on gaining a place, that is a huge achievement. I hope this helps and good luck!

If your camera has the burst option you could try using that, it takes multiple photos in quick succession and then you can pick the best. Alternatively you could video the developpe and then screenshot the one that's just right. This will only work if your video on your camera is good quality as you don't want a blurry screen shot! This way you get get her going into the developpe and holding it for a few seconds in good alignment without worrying about timing when to take the photo. Hope that helps, good luck

So I finally found an adult ballet class, I tried it last night and now I'm thinking I have an excuse to go on a dancewear shopping spree! It's been a while since I've bought any dancewear so I'm hoping people might be able to give some advice. So my questions are, shopping online for the following things, where would you use? Which brands would you recommend for: Black stirrup tights Pink convertible tights (I have the capezio ultrasoft ones at the moment, they are nice but need replacing) A skirt of some sort Leotard What do you think is a flattering outfit/ leotard or skirt style for an adult? The others were wearing leggings and a t shirt but it doesn't feel right to not have a leotard tights and a bun!

Dental floss works really well to sew the ribbons on, I've never had ribbons come off using it. I've also found that sewing the ribbons starting back towards under the heel and then angling them forwards helps the heel stay on better without necessarily needing elastics. I could take some photos if that would help.

I think it depends on the company. There are a lot more classical companies given the size of the US. Smaller regional ones are possibly less strict on body shape than the top well known ones. Even then, I think the different top companies look for slightly different things. Some are more well known for taking a taller dancer, for example.

From those I've seen live: Vadim Muntagirov and Cesar Corrales. I feel like both balance technique and the flashy stuff with beautiful artistry. So exciting to watch.

I have loads of favourites but I feel like to truly judge them id have to see them all live. So from those I've seen in a proper live performance my favourites have to be Lauren Cuthbertson and Lauretta Summerscales. They are just such artistic dancers. I wish I could see so many more though. I really want to see Hayward dance, I feel like she'd probably join my list!

For Musical Theatre they like them slightly older. I've known some very talented people who auditioned and were accepted to top drama schools' musical theatre courses who were rejected more than once first.

Looks amazing!

Sounds cool but what do you mean by theatrical themed?!

I live close to London. My closest friend likes dance, the others have no clue! So it would either be with her or a day with my family kind of thing?

I'm turning 21 and can't decide what to do for my birthday in April. I sort of want it to be dance related, so I'm looking for suggestions of something a little different or special but not crazily expensive! Anyone have any ideas?

A few things to try: cut out sugar. Make sure towels and make up brushes are really really clean. Try wearing as little make up as possible for a week or so to let the skin breathe. If you keep everything natural for a week or so then you can start adding in things. Otherwise you can end up trying so many different creams and making the skin worse! I use Salcura Zeoderm cream for everything. It's supposed to be for eczma or dry skin but I use it on spots and cracked skin and it works so well, really heals everything up fast. Tea tree is also an amazing natural antiseptic. I brought my sister who has bad skin a really nice foundation from Bareminerals which is specifically for blemish prone skin as it contains some natural antiseptic stuff in there.

What's Sarah Lamb like in the role of Giselle?

I actually weirdly love barre so I think I would have loved that class. Painful but so good when you feel your technique improving. A Russian class I took wa a bit like that, very slow build up at the barre. It was great. No 16 count plies though, I'm not sure I could have managed that!

The dancer in me wants those split pro ones so bad but I can't justify £60 on them I'll have to settle for Capezio I think. I'm leaning towards the Theatrical Footlight as they have a 3 inch heel and planet dance has them for £25 in a size 2.5! I think they should fit, does anyone have any experience with the sizing?

Thanks, that's really helpful the sizing was confusing me. Which would you consider better for a narrow foot, So Danca or Capezio?

I've looked but size 3 is more tricky in anything that isn't the children's RAD style shoe! Or a small heel