Jazzpaws

I am with CeliB on this, when we lived in London both DH and I regularly cycled to work in the centre - City and Knightsbridge at different times.  We had moved away before DD was born, but now she is there, she has also made good use of her bike over the last few years.  Sometimes she cycles the whole way, sometimes just to a major station and leaves her bike on the cycle racks.  It can also be particularly useful if you want to go "across" - most tube & bus routes radiate out from the centre, so it avoids going in and out again.  She also assures me that night buses are busy and safe!

 

With regard to accommodation, there is an online company  called i-rooms with properties around Stratford/Leyton near the Olympic Park.  Stratford is a major transport hub - trains, tubes & DLR so you can quickly get anywhere.  They have shared houses, each room let independently.  The advantage is that they let in blocks of 2 weeks up to 12 (or maybe 14 weeks).  You choose how long you want, but when you renew you have to pay £50 admin.  So for example you could book 4 weeks, giving you time to find something more permanent but renew if you haven't.  You pay every two weeks and the initial payment is two weeks rent and the same as a deposit.  We have found it very useful when DD didn't want to commit to a 6 month lease anywhere.  Many other tenants appear to be young professionals, there are lots of Australians and New Zealanders over here for a couple of years as Primary school teachers or Assistants.   

Sounds interesting - tried searching for i-rooms and didn't really get anywhere, any ideas x

DD and her friend did a duet to 'When I'm 64' a few years ago - lots of scope there, it was fun

This is all normal to me ! I have 5 daughters ( only the youngest took dance to vocational level and is now living in London). Four have their own homes which are completely organised and spotless. This was far from the case when they were teenagers - floor as a wardrobe, lost things etc, they were extremely relaxed so I let them be responsible for their own rooms. It does pass and surprisingly, I actually missed the mess when they moved on, hopefully they'll look back on their carefree teenage years 

My dd was in the audience, and absolutely loved it. The thing she noticed most though, was their age - the winners were 15.

 

In the UK, it is almost unheard of for 15-year-olds to take their Adv 2 exam - let alone pass with distinction. I know that the subject has been discussed many times before, but are we lagging behind a bit here in good old Blighty?

I know one who did this year, but decided not to enter the Genee as she wished to settle into vocational school and enjoy those important few weeks

DD signed up for a Flex Account with Nationwide when she was accepted to Central. Easy to do and I've been very impressed with the service 

He's so young though isn't he, I'm sure Rambert would really benefit him. Beautiful studio isn't it !

I noticed this very talented boy from Gibraltar was filmed in Rambert Studios. Does anyone know if he trains there ( although he seems a bit young ), or perhaps they just used the studio for the video ? 

Must say, I did love the latest dog act on BGT- shame on my much loved but dreadful hound who jumps on the sofa when my back is turned (no Pudsey there alas)

This just got to me when I mentioned at work that Darcey was visiting Central ( DD was excited) - I got 'who is Darcey' from 3 people'

Never mind about ballet, she is a major celebrity ! I know who David Beckham is even though I have no personal interest in  footie !

Norwich City ( our local team have done well today) - and I am very pleased for them, but the whole football wonderful thing has really irritated me ! 

Bring on more recognition for our talented,hard working DC's

So news from yesterday... Train wise, everything went well after the difficult start and DD2 was on time on stage! Phew...

Audition wise, not so good! She got to the final last year but it didn't happen this year even though she has progressed a lot and one of her friends who was offered a place last year and didn't take it, didn't even get the final this year     As someone said about Rambert, there is no point trying to second guess things as I have learned over the last 10 years!!!

 

DD2 has learned not to stress about auditions so she's already planned her next one and especially next year as those will be very important indeed... 

 

Yes Lin, DD3 has been studying ballet vocationally in France for a year now but next year she will go to DD1's old school. A vocational school as well but a multidiscipline one as ballet is not really her thing. She'll be doing ballet, jazz, contemporary, theatre, singing and MT... A bit like The Hammond I suppose...

Goodness me ! 3 DD's afab - it's a wonder you are sane x

Wishing your DD  the very best Tulip xx

I think this should be left now with huge congratulations to Meggy13's DD - such lovely news

Fingers crossed that others hear good news soon

The audition process for upper schools is really quite horrendous, with a big helping of GCSE stress thrown into the pot as well !!

It's very exciting before it starts, but then the stress of waiting, getting finals, no's and waiting lists kicks in and the excitement has flown out of the window. The relief of getting a place is wonderful,but the disappointment of a 'no' is soul destroying, but really the waiting can go on far too long !

Congratulations to all have have a place and fingers crossed that the waiting will soon be over for others.

One of DD's friends had a very last minute place (had to wait until July/August), but she is doing incredibly well now, so it did work out for her in the end .

I'm sure the physio will guide your DD with advice about rest, the correct exercise and any issues with technique. At times like this, the benefit of a good medical insurance is appreciated. DD's friend has this condition at present and has been told exactly what she can do (including swimming) and cannot do.

I'm far from being the expert, but I understand that the longer you carry on dancing through the pain, the longer things will take to heal.

Good luck for tomorrow 

Thank you, will pass it on xx

Yes, i do Katymac x

Thanks - any info is really helpful x

My friend's son,year 10 in September, who dances sings and acts, really wants to pursue a career in acting or possibly technical theatre,

We live in rural Suffolk and I don't know anything really about the acting side of things, but hoping someone can point me in the direction of suitable associate classes in that field, that will benefit him when he applies at 16 + 

I really like this app, not that I want to be on her back all the time, but it's nice to know I can see where she is if she is travelling etc. Also she can see where I am 

For those who have i phones, this is brilliant !!

This weekend, the morning DD was due home, she wasn't picking up her phone. I went to the station to pick her up and no DD !!!

I was then having FORTY FITS, as was her best friend who was also frantically texting her(while attempting to revise). Fortunately her friends and the helpful staff at Student Castle woke her by knocking on her door. She had overslept , and wasn't lying dead in a gutter somewhere after being attacked on her way home (everything went through my mind! I just wanted to slap and hug her, but in the end I was just so pleased to see her (and she was very sorry).

Now we both have the app installed and I have just seen that she has just gone past Chelmsford on her way back to London. Brilliant !!!

I would really recommend this, it would have saved so much worry 

Thinking of you all. Thank goodness she's better now. Don't be sorry to rant, if it's any help, bring it on xxxx

I've just had a quick look through the Hip Hop , really didn't enjoy it, but each to their own !

Looking forward to the South Asian, have no experience of it, but looks interesting .... and then the Ballet section.

Great series 

DD is doing a Russian summer school (Natalia Kremen). She chose that instead of ENB because she wanted to try the Russian style (don't think her vocational teacher was sure about it). It was her choice, I didn't influence her in any way, but I can only see good in another experience.

It cost me about £1 500 to get DD started, (not including accommodation deposit) but including insurance, initial uniform , one of fees and bits and pieces

Wasn't really expecting it to be quite so much, but I managed it - looking back, I'm glad I didn't know as there was plenty of other stress in the audition/GCSE year

Things always end up costing that little bit more than you expect don't they

There's only one answer to this!

Yes, Rambert is a very good school that is respected worldwide ????