FullContretemps

OK, I have a bun question. Everybody seems to prefer the big pins with a wider gap between the two sides. I just can't get them to work for my hair. Don't know if I'm doing it completely wrong or missing something, but they don't seem to secure anything or even stay in properly. I've always used the Boots nets that go over my hair 3 times and last a variable amount of time before I destroy them, and just spiral the hair down, put the net over, squash it flat and pin net to bun hair and the underneath hair, keeping the net as stretched as possible without destroying to keep it secure. It stays fine even through vigorous turns and I only use about 6 pins (though that does leave the edges looking a bit bobbly if that makes any sense - like a cloud instead of a smooth circle, but probably if I could be bothered to use more it would look more even). But I do envy those people with perfectly smooth edges and they all seem to use the big pins, but these just seem to slide for me. Any ideas or am I best just sticking with what works even if it's not perfect? I do have really fine hair, a nightmare to get it to stay in any style as it just slips. Not that it matters - I'm only a recreational old person, but nosey to find out what I'm missing!

If it's the right height then I wouldn't mind a chair now and again, and definitely agree that the quality of teaching is more important than the quality of the barre! But I wouldn't really want to use one long term unless it was the only option. The main problem I can see with using chairs would be if there are exercises that move along the barre, children may pick up a habit of compromising on them if they do not want to leave the chair. But in Grade 3 guessing that is probably not too much of an issue. Also, depending on the child perhaps it could put tension in their hands/arms if they are trying to grip it rather than rest their hand on it. Conversely, a chair would probably encourage me not to lean on the barre or hold it too tightly to avoid it tipping or anything! Maybe some of us should try it occasionally! Just wondering though, does it actually take any less time to get chairs out and place them correctly and pile them up to the right height for each pupil than to get the barres out?! Maybe some students or parents (depending on the level of class) could help the teacher get them out? Sorry, just a few random thoughts off top of my head - don't know if any are helpful or not!

I cheat: I wear a good supportive (underwired) sports bra from M&S with a £5 nude 'sports bra' (aka crop top) from Sainsburys. You can get these from most supermarkets and they have nice wide straps which cover my Sports bra straps and is a much cheaper solution than buying lots of specialist stuff. I guess you'd have to check with the teacher that it's ok, but my teacher who prefers not to see underwear is happy with that as a compromise for classes. For exams I have a good strapless Wonderbra (one of those weird moulded things with plastic in) which I tape or sew to leo. I love how people always suggest the Bratek ones. Try fitting anything above a C cup in there! I'm only a DD and have enough leotard/underwear problems!

So annoyed I had to go to work today! Wish paying the bills wasn't necessary... Got some Australian Ballet Sleeping Beauty for breakfast and just returned half an hour ago after my own class. Not a big Chroma fan though - would rather be watching class or the RB bits. Last year I think at least RB posted their bit in full for the weekend after and then highlights which stayed on YouTube permanently. Does anyone know if they're planning the same? Would love to see the features from the other UK companies too. I still go back to the video of class from last year and watch Steven McRae's beats: phenomenal!

Cool Yes it's quite a walk from the station. Back when I was about 16 I had a Saturday morning job in the secondhand bookshop near the station and had to hare all the way down there (about 2 miles I think) for class in about half an hour. Was a bit mad! I think the Winchester bus goes from the station to right by the Sports Centre (64 or X64?) but no idea what times/how often. Ah fair enough I know all about busy work Let us know how it goes if you do pay a visit!

If you could somehow make a Friday evening that's a good night because you get ballet, pointe and limbering (my favourite class in the world - mixture of good cardio to get and stay really warm and amazing stretching and strengthening)

I know what you mean - does sound a bit short. Possibly an issue with what time they can book the room til or something. I think also perhaps they tend to do more shorter classes - most aren't more than an hour but I never noticed it being too short when I danced there although most of my classes are longer where I dance now. The teaching is absolutely top quality and Vanessa and Emily (guessing it's Vanessa who takes adult ballet) really open, honest, will answer any questions you have and won't take offence at them. Great technique teaching and they really try and work out with you why and how to make your body work better and to improve things. OK I'll stop raving now! My advice would be drop them an email/phone call/Facebook message and ask anything you want to know and go for a trial lesson. If you don't gel with it or it's too short no obligation to stay!

Probably too far away but the bus does go there from Guildford/Farnham. Absolutely amazing dance school in Alton (Vanessa Golborn School of Dance) and they have Adult Ballet on a Monday evening. Adults also welcome to join syllabus classes if they want - I always join in when I'm that end of the country! They will answer any questions you have if it's any use to you: http://www.vgdance.co.uk/timetable-1/

Oh my this woman sounds worryingly like the owner of a dance school I know. It could almost be the same place... The only reason I still go there is because of the outstanding RAD teacher and the fact that I rarely have to see the other 'lady'. And I'm an adult and more than capable of giving back as good as I get to her, in the nicest way possible of course. But I would never send a child of mine (or anyone else I know!) to a class taken by the owner of this school (now intrigued to see whether you are anywhere nearby haha!). I might send them there for ballet as long as they didn't have to deal with that teacher but that would be it, and only because I have such a huge respect for the RAD teacher there. You are much better getting out of there. I don't have anything useful to add as everyone has said it all - you are definitely right in getting it checked out by the appropriate professional and in changing schools. Your child's health and all of your sanities come first!

Oh lovely so glad to hear! It's great to hear the positive feedback, and amazing how far-reaching the effects of one week can be, not just on technique but the dancer as a whole. And the forum is great as we get to keep up with these young dancers through their experiences No I wasn't there this year sadly but I know a couple who were so am looking forwards to a good catch up in September! Maybe next year... annual leave allowing and all that sort of thing...

So glad she enjoyed her second year notsoshygirlsmum

Yes yes yes! I work with children and also with disabled children, and would love to train to teach ballet. It's so good to see people really engaging positively to share dance with people who might not normally get a chance.

Thanks everyone!

I really like this! What a good find. I love how often things just fit together - and it really shows how the skills gained from ballet life are applicable way beyond their original context.

So, sorry to resurrect an old thread but I am so dead chuffed I had to tell you all! After the December session debacle (found out afterwards the full extent of what happened!) they offered us a complementary re-take in July. Results came yesterday and we both got merits. 64, which is way more than I would have hoped for anyway! Probably the thing I have been most proud of in my life so far haha! So the whole shenanigans was worthwhile in the end, and nice to know the RAD do try and sort out their issues.

Not sure what summer classes are running this year but I can wholeheartedly recommend the Vanessa Golborn School of Dance in Alton (NE Hants). That's where I grew up and the teaching really is amazing - a few to voc school each year but quite a relaxed atmosphere and very very friendly - I still visit when I'm down that way and everyone counts the teachers (and classmates) as friends. But somehow still very professional and great teaching! They do some adult ballet, I'm not sure when, and adults are welcome to teenage syllabus classes too. If you're interested just drop them a call or an email http://www.vgdance.co.uk/

A few years ago I went to a summer school in Guildford, not run by a vocational school, I think it was a local school and most were students from that school. I think it was Anya Grinstead teaching, for Doreen Wells school, or something like that. It was a good long time ago though, so don't know if they're still around. It was quite different from what I had done before, but I was a very green ballet dancer at that point, and I definitely enjoyed it nonetheless.

Ooh do let us know how she gets on with the Merlets please!

Well that has brighten up my day So glad she is recovering so well and is so happy with what she's doing!

I tried some 2007 pro-flex one time, which were better than any Grishkos I've tried before - always been a definite no before. Very different from anything I normally wear - v different balance and box is too narrow and deep for me if that makes any sense. Nearly thought about trying them but wasn't brave enough (or daft enough?!) to try!

Ooh I hated Serenades! Fancy Dance in York don't have any Gambas left in my size (I bought the last ones a year or two back!) and not stocking any more - it was them I first heard about the Gamba issues from. I've also bought Kaos, the other dance shop in York out of them!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm annoyingly one of those people who likes to try on a few different ones so it would have to be quite local to me (n Yorkshire). But might consider online if I get really desperate!

OK, being dense and can't find the edit button, but I also have a pair of Bloch soft blocks and a pair of Merlet Adagio not worn that much so not very smelly, pretty soft but with the shanks still in (I was unhappy with the quality so had a replacement pair which I haven't used yet)

Sounds very interesting. I'm sure I'd be interested in trying some out but it depends what sort of dancers you want - are you looking for full time professional or vocational school dancers or anyone? I dance most evenings but only 1-2 hours and probably not more than 1-1.5 hours of pointe a week. My absolute love love love shoes were Gambas when you could get them in the UK - my first shoes were 93s, then I had a pair of 97s which were my favourites ever. I love the 3/4 shank as my feet aren't very bendy. To me it's really important that I can get a shoe to bend properly both just under the heel at the top of my arch and at the bottom of my arch, I guess at the top of the balls of my feet. Because they're not that bendy, it's this latter one that shoes often don't do, making it difficult for my feet to look fully pointed, even when they are fully pointed inside the shoe, if that makes any sense. I hated Bloch Serenades I once had - never fully got over them en pointe and they never shaped to my feet and I never felt properly balanced. Also tried some Merlet Adagio last year which looked nice and fitted quite well (they have quite a wide box comparatively) but were very poor quality - died in a few weeks, and I do not kill pointe shoes ever! Stitching also started coming undone from outer sole! I can't go near Grishkos - far too narrow on the box and yet way too tall if that makes any sense. I tried some 2007 pro-flex which looked quite nice but box shape all wrong. Never tried Freeds really. Capezio don't fit me at all either. Now that I can't get Gambas, I'm in Bloch European Balance after a lot of recommendations from ex-Gamba-wearers. They look really nice on my feet and fit pretty well but I get a lot of pain in the very ends of my big toes (I have quite tapered toes but have never had this pain in any other shoes) if I wear them more than 1 or 2 days on the trot. They come with weird squishy bits in the end. Not a good thing as only half your big toe goes on it an really uncomfortable so ripped those out but I don't think there's anything left in there to be causing the pain so no idea why it hurts! So in conclusion, for me a shoe should bend at the strategic places but be fairly strong in the other areas. A strong box like Blochs - Gambas softened quite quickly, though it was nice that they shaped to your feet a bit. If there's any way to account for tapered toes that would be nice - usually they all end up getting squashed across - the big toe towards the middle of the shoe, which also doesn't help with correct alignment of the shoe as well as gradually changing the shape of your feet (I'll probably be bunioned one day!). I like quite a wide platform like the Gambas and Balance Europeans. Don't know if any of that helps or if it was just a random ramble! Shout if there are any more questions. If you do want to use me for a trial, my feet are 6.5UK, I think 40 European sizing. Width S-M

I have a few pairs if they will be any use, all very dead, old and smelly! Gamba 93s, deshanked Bloch Serenades, deshanked Gamba 97s still with shank (3/4 shank) Gamba Delco soft blocks if you want them? Think that's it for the minute! Whereabouts are you base? PM if you want any of them