celb

Just looking at the Youth America Grand Prix's top 12 in the pre competitive age group (under 12) -there are 3 on pointe - 9 year olds from Russia and Peru and a 10 year old from Japan.The russian girl looks familiar- I'm sure she has been the subject of debate in the past on youtube videos.I'm definitely not condoning early pointe work but is there a risk that our dancers are being left behind at virtuoso level particularly when you look at the number of overseas, particularly Japanese dancers who are gaining places in our Vocational schools and companies.

DDs JA teacher always insisted on white underwear & wanted them to have waist high for auditions .Used M&S seamfree childrens underwear for class ( usually there is a white pair in with the coloured triple packs- and I think primark do some .I do wish M& S would resurrect their seamfree white sporty high legs .My DD wore their 6-8s for years as I bought a large supply just before they were discontinued - I still occasionally see them in the laundry despite her being 12.For her preliminary WL audition DD wore the smallest Asda adult size of waisthigh white knickers taken in at the sides and never wore her" Bridget Jones big knickers" again.

This was my first Elmhurst show and I was mesmerized from start to finish. What wonderful young talented dancers.I am so thrilled that my DD is pursuing her ballet dreams in such a fantastic environment and was able to play a tiny part in today's performance.Roll on Friday.

and wellies

Have a wonderful induction day tomorrow to all the new starters. I am so looking forward to the show on Sunday (tho can't quite believe I'm going to miss Andy Murray's big dayat wimbledon).

My DD was a JA for 3 years and the one skirt fitted her full the full time at JAs due to a large hem turn up which was adjusted at the start of each new year. It is best to have the skirt the correct length skimming the floor when kneeling up.I was lucky that our local dance school had a costume maker who made my DDs skirt as sewing is not my strong point ( see prior thread on 5 attempts to sew on pointe shoe ribbons!)...though I can now darn quite adequately - practice makes perfect as with the other alien ballet practices for the novice mum such as buns, crossed plaits and make-up.

2 instruments are covered by the MDS funding - this includes voice if desired as one of the options -there is also an excellent choir.

I remember the flyers re the workshop but I'm sure it clashed with a JA day. I'm glad you got your question answered NL.

There can be advantages to both early and late auditions. The first time my DD auditioned for vocational school she did a very early audition and was offered a final audition some 4 months later which was great to achieve early and relieved some pressure on her and improved her confidence for subsequent auditions.The second time my DD auditioned she did the very last preliminary audition and was offered a place at school without attending a final audition. I think a prime consideration is how many other commitments your DC has around the time of the audition so they are in the best possible physical and mental state to prepare for their audition.

GOOD LUCK tomorrow to your XX ( I would just have suggested forgetting her PE kit & gym shoes)

I specifically asked our insurers re this prior to taking out health insurance for my DD - they did not consider dancing even fulltime training with a grant a sport so dancers are covered not excluded.

my DDs first pointe shoes were Grishkos - hardly seemed to need breaking in with lovely soft and flexible shanks for a beginner. Yes a day out in Covent Garden would be a good place to start to try a variety of shoes in different brands and styles , though in the north have always been very impressed by Caroline wright's fittings at Centrepointe in Manchester. She has a more limited range of brands and sizes so it's always worth calling ahead to arrange a date and to discuss possible styles/sizes

yes Kate at BRB sorted me out too -wouldn't want to miss out on any nuggets of information

I hold my babysitter/next door neighbour responsible for introducing my DD to ballet at the tender age of 3.She wanted to do girlie things having only had traditional football playing boys.I am a totally novice dance mom.I also hold a certain other balletcoer responsible for encouraging my DD to audition for RBS JAs with her DD .Since then ballet has ruled our world .I'm sure Angelina Ballerina had a role in there somewhere too. For the best part of 8 years my DD seemed more or less to live at our local dance school - I suppose a good preparation for waving her off to vocational school.I wouldn't change our experience for the world I absolutely love watching my DD dance anywhere from the living room to stage and we have both made some wonderful friends through ballet.

Personally I would wait until after casting.

I think you'll find it impossible to dash down to Stratford - I would take all the time you can to savour your Olympic experience. Miss Lewis I'm sure will understand if your DD misses 1 rehearsal .Have a fabulous time ( Olympic & EYB)

is that the same as a PM - don't seem to have anything new in my messages

Would love to have a UK stockist of "Pillows for Pointe" lambswool toepads - the plain thin lambswool ones not their "gellows" -they are much finer than the freed/capezio ones.DD likes them - though much less padding she can feel the floor better. At present we buy them in bulk when in the US. Incidently would also be great to have a UK stockist for the Russian Pointe pointe shoes she likes.The ecowarrior in me doesn't particularly like buying these in the US when they are "handmade in Russia" then bringing them back to the UK.

For most of us and our children its disordered eating rather than a true eating disorder that's of concern

I definitely have an issue with tuck - I can't believe my DD has eaten 20+ cereal bars in 1 week. They may well know what the healthy food choices are and they may be available but that doesn't mean at the age of 11 that they will make healthy food choices unless supervised.Tonight she had potato waffles for tea ..but "with a bit of salad".Bless her she likes salad but rightly says it doesn't fill her up.

Thought I had got it right on the fourth attempt having moved further forward and changed angle -local teacher was happy but pointe teacher at school not happy too far forward and still very slightly gapey on flat so DD is going to have to do them herself - when she comes home might try the elastorib which was recommended by our Boston Ballet friend who looked at them but I didn't have any at the time ,if they are still not right -have also sent her the flimsier ribbon which I think might be more forgiving.Thanks for all the advice

I enjoyed the whole performance too .I particularly liked the stage hands dance choreographed by Dominic I think and also the cygnets and swans .The junior and senior groups are together for the casting .My DD auditioned with the junior group but was cast en pointe.

Fantastic news

Don't give up hope to those still on the waiting list. My DD was offered a place 2 years ago 4 days before SS!

Fab news -maybe they'll offer her a place for September while she's there- it has been known