Dancingdreams

My son started with Jazz/street at 7yrs... was a 'disco diva' at all our family parties! it wasn't until he was 10 that his dance teacher recommended he should give ballet a go and was told he was a natural'...as the time passed and he carried on he wanted to broaden his dance abilities in the hope that this would give him more opportunities. So at vocational college he carried on with his ballet and also became proficient in 'aerial skills' and pole dancing!!! along with passing his ballet teaching exam. We are now into the 'real world' as he hasn't long graduated but even with a varied dance CV it is proving difficult to secure that first job!

Hi there, I can personally recommend the course that is offered by Italia Conti for DDI teaching qualifications. My son has not long completed his DDI ballet (funnily enough he is in the picture attached 3rd from the front). They were very supportive in all areas. You have to be dedicated, there is a lot of input/work needed (I think particularly so for the ballet one) but they have very good tutors to guide you along. Good luck.

Thanks for your reply hfbrew.. I often have read your posts about your DS too! Its good to get reassurance from experienced members on this forum.x

My DS will graduate from Italia Conti in July this year so we/he is starting his journey out into the 'real' world. He graduates with various qualifications (Adv 2 ISTD Ballet/Tap/Modern, DDI/DDE teaching qualification in ballet) along with other 'circus' type skills (ariel, silks, pole, etc) and Lamda acting qualifications along with a much improved singing voice.. so all in all he's prepared himself for the industry as best he can. He has also been fortunate to secure an agent too. He auditioned the other day for Disney and had got through (allbeit on their waiting list) - he put down a potential start date of September this year due to other committments. I am of course pleased for him but I would be interested to hear what the perception of Disney is within the industry i.e. is it a good thing to have on your CV? My only niggle/concern is that with the standard he has achieved is he (I I dont want to sound big-headed here) 'over-qualified' for this?? I have also said to him that if other auditions come up between now and September where is his successful to get as many 'offers' on the table so to speak. This is the point now where we are venturing into the 'unknown' and just at the start of his career which is quite a daunting feeling. I dont want him to rush into the first offer he gets necessarily.

My DS will graduate from Italia Conti in July this year so we/he is starting his journey out into the 'real' world. He graduates with various qualifications (Adv 2 ISTD Ballet/Tap/Modern, DDI/DDE teaching qualification in ballet) along with other 'circus' type skills (ariel, silks, pole, etc) and Lamda acting qualifications along with a much improved singing voice.. so all in all he's prepared himself for the industry as best he can. He has also been fortunate to secure an agent too. He auditioned the other day for Disney and had got through (allbeit on their waiting list) - he put down a potential start date of September this year due to other committments. I am of course pleased for him but I would be interested to hear what the perception of Disney is within the industry i.e. is it a good thing to have on your CV? My only niggle/concern is that with the standard he has achieved is he (I I dont want to sound big-headed here) 'over-qualified' for this?? I have also said to him that if other auditions come up between now and September where is his successful to get as many 'offers' on the table so to speak. This is the point now where we are venturing into the 'unknown' and just at the start of his career which is quite a daunting feeling. I dont want him to rush into the first offer he gets necessarily.

if it helps my son only started taking modern lessons @ vocational school @ intermediate level - when I first heard some of the syllabus music and saw some of the set work I thought it did seem very dated. I can only say that Adv 1 and Adv 2 are much better, the content is much more flexible and allows more free work from the student.

Starts with a 'live' stream tomm @ 3am from Australia!! RB on from 11am-3pm.. Catch up available via You Tube. http://www.roh.org.uk/news/world-ballet-day-programme-whats-in-store-during-the-24-hour-live-stream-on-1-october-2014

Thanks v much I will look to get some this weekend..

He has got a few pairs of those - but they dont cover it unfortunately!

That sounds the job.. thanks v much

I know its an on-going problem for many dancers.. but are they any tips on how to avoid/treat them?? My DS does alot of contemporary in bare feet.. and its his big toes that suffer. He has tried using surgical spirit..but trouble is just when the blisters start to heal.. he can often then have another intensive period where he is in bare feet and the cycle starts again. He cant really strap them with plasters, etc. as this doesnt look very professional.. he doesnt moan and just gets on with it.. but I know they give him some discomfort.. but is it just an 'occupational hazard'!!??

mmm not quite sure why I have lines through my post!!??

They have now published a programme for the schools that are performing in the 'showcase theatres'. My DS is performing on each of the 3 days but I plan to go up on Sunday. The last time both he and I went he was much younger (around 8yrs ago!) with hardly anything up there relating to boys and dance so I am hoping this year maybe better.

We too paid the registration fees for Italia - but I understood from past applicants that it was non-refundable!! DS was fortunate enough to get a scholarship - which made the decision easier (however we had also paid up front for other auditions) and were lucky enough to get our money back on some of these as well!! It all helps..

'Just Ballet' I have sent you a PM.

Hi Happy Mum, My son is nearly 18 now so doesnt attend any more.. but I dont think that the format has changed. 1 Saturday each term for the whole day (if you are one of the older boys - the younger ones finish around lunchtime) cant remember if it was a 0900 or 1000 start?? They had around 3/4 groups of boys that were split mainly according to age... anywhere from 5/6yrs up to 16yrs. When my son attended there seemed more boys in the younger age groups and fewer in the older group. Hope this helps.

Sure this will be a subject for discussion on here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2336763/Michael-Gove-takes-year-old-daughter-ballet-classes-began-worry-weight.html

Cant give views on the actual summer course itself as my DS has not attended but can't recommend highly enough Patricia Prime who heads up the 'ballet' section who is currently teaching DS now.

I am seeing this with my son this weekend in Woking and really looking forward to it, especially as its not of your 'traditional' ballets.

Having gone through the round of vocational auditions (post 16) I think it is dependant on which school... although my DS did not choose a classical school in the end, we were told get in 'early' for auditions as scholarships were being determined early on in the audition process.

If you can afford private lessons then I would definately try and go ahead with them. For me and my DS they proved an invaluable part of his training being able to have 1:1 teaching. It helped in a number of ways.. confidence, ability and he learn't the syllabus much quicker than being in a group.. but this can both have its advantages and disadvantages.

They are black and silver!!!

Have a pair of Bloch wave split sole dance sneakers (exactly the same as in the Amazon link)... as new (worn once) complete with box.. size UK 8.. but I would say more like a 7 as they do come up small... http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005VOIMMI/ref=asc_df_B005VOIMMI7997700/?tag=googlecouk06-21&creative=22134&creativeASIN=B005VOIMMI&linkCode=asn £20 + postage

Thanks for your reply Aurora.

The infamous question re: envelopes from Elmhurst ... are the yes and no ones easy to identify??? Would be helpful to know from those of you who have had good and bad news??