if only!

Schools have been on the receiving end of Gove's off-kilter ideas for sometime now! (Sorry to be political!) As for high profile parents and their children, can you remember John Gummer trying to get his 4 year old daughter to eat a burger to endorse the safety of British beef? Poor child! Perhaps it's an MP thing. On a serious note, I don't think any parent should expose their child's concerns in the press. Also, (yeah.. ballet is very body revealing, I dream I'm in a leotard, awful, because not only am I hopeless but it is not a great sight), I do feel the majority of girls (and boys) who are dedicated to ballet are slim and healthy because of the amount of exercise they do. My daughter, and her dancing friends, eat like horses! Eating disorders can affect anybody from any walk of life, not just ballet. So, Gove, I'm not impressed, (again).

Looks like we were posting at the same time, Taxi!

Of course! So a BIG well done to all, hanging in there, still! Must be incredibly difficult to be assessed out of anywhere (over-use of smileys again !)

KatyCustard, Brilliant post! Even read it out loud to my husband. Perhaps there's a blog you could start? You'd get a BIG following... we get so wrapped up, it's great to step back and take a wry look at it all. When's your DD's next audition 'cos I'm looking forward to your next 'report'! Whoops, nearly forgot ... good luck to DD! Hope she gets a place, and if she does, you must do a weekly report for us all to read on a Sunday morning !

Swanprincess... I've been following your 'story' for sometime and I love a happy ending! A big congratulations to you, not just for being talented but for for your hard work and determination to succeed. My DD's ballet teacher thinks Ballet Theatre UK are the next big thing, even emailed us the info about the associates, but, alas too far! I hope you have a fabulous time and good luck auditioning next year, (if you are, that is). Keep that determination going!

Hello! I've been away from reading the forum for a while, (work ) and have had withdrawal symptoms (not good!) but come back to read fantastic news. Well done taxi4ballet! I've been told it was very hard to get a place, particularly when starting further up than at the beginning, (uh? does that make sense?). Looks like your Saturdays are now sorted ! Perhaps we'll bump into you sometime as dd been attending some of the drop-in RAD classes. And a big well done to everyone else and fingers crossed to those still waiting!

and I agree totally. It was a huge group to pick and choose. And I think someone should have got the allegro. DD did a couple of ISTD awards a few years ago and I think I preferred the "informality" of the free work of yesterday over the set work. It did give the girls a chance to do something different and interpret the exercises individually. Also, remembering the exercises was a challenge in itself, (I forget after the first French term that comes up!) I'm not a great advocate of competitions, but dd had a fabulous time yesterday. First competition she has done in years (left a "festival school", the stress was too much!) Sandra Madgwick was a super teacher, gave the girls some really interesting exercises and I thought encouraging and helpful! So maybe I should change my mind about competitions?

Thank you all for your replies- I wasn't sure it was a valid question to post on the forum, so thanks, (I'd like the lot but not sure I'm allowed that many likes so giving you all a collective like ​ x16) DD, as a result of Tulte's thread on performance advice and watching the beautiful you tube link of Polina Semionova's dance, now wondering whether she'd like to go down the low- bun, giselle-style route, although the bob idea is still lurking, (she has said she would never give up ballet for a hairdo, "it's only hair") but aren't they fickle?! It will be a pixie cut next...

DD toying with idea of having hair cut into a bob, (after wearing a bobbed wig for a party which her friends said really suited her... and she did look cute!) but... ballet, buns, etc et. Does anyone out there have a bob and do ballet? She's starting RBS SAs in September, do they all have buns? Or is there a magic way of putting a bob in a bun? (At London Junior/Senior ballet uniform was really strict as was hair, so I'm guessing it's the same. The CAT scheme is not so strict on hair). Or is it a big no-no? it is a daft question, and a rather frivolous one at that, but I'm just curious. Suppose I could experiment with mine, see if I can get mine up in a bun, though need to lop a couple of inches off first!

I've only recently joined the forum so possibly coming in "unknown" to this thread but wishing your dd a speedy recovery. For someone who is so passionate about dance to be so unwell must be very very difficult. And my thoughts are with you. From a different perspective your dd's artwork is fabulous. I mean really fabulous (and I spent 6 years training in art!). She should definitely try, when she is well enough, to sketch her friends in class, (a Degas for the 21st century). Not only will help from a dance point of view but also art-wise. You'll probably find some parent or even the teacher will want them on their walls...perhaps even at a price! A small exhibition on the dance school's walls? Or just for fun... whichever way her pointe shoe picture is amazing. Wishing your daughter well, X

I was going to add some words of wisdom (from a non-dancing perspective) but looks like it's all been said! (We saw a beautiful Russian prima-ballerina slip over in Swan Lake. She carried on until the interval then her under-study came on. Not that your dd is going to slip over, but it does happen to the best of us). When my dd (or even in fact my footballing boys & their matches*) do anything like an exam/audition/performance I do say enjoy it. (I usually throw in a "you know it's not worth doing if you don't enjoy it" but that's always a little flippant... not sure I do mean that!) Oh... and husband always quotes, "succeed in preparing, prepare to succeed" Tell your dd (once she has practised and followed all the advice in the above posts) to ENJOY it and GOOD LUCK! The piece she is interpreting is beautiful and I'm sure she'll do it justice * older son just walked in and is really cheerful.... they lost 15-0!

Places DO get turned down for numerous reasons, so definitely stay positive And see above post... DD was just 11 when she first did it and really enjoyed it She made lots of friends and they exchanged addresses, even as far a field as Brazil! Far too many smileys... my dd is not impressed by my over use of them!

DD also attending course B, week 2. This is the 3rd year she's done it, (2010 and 2012).She absolutely loved last year and really wanted to go again. Regarding age and level, dd is year 9 (not 14 till the Summer hols) and like your dd is studying Adv 1. ( took her Adv Foundation last July). However Course B was spot on for her, pitched at her level (she was in the middle group- the course last year was divided into 3 groups). So don't let the age/exam level put you off! There quite a few foreign students, (fascinating for dd and an opportunity for an exchange of ideas etc... and how things were done, things like turnout etc- we're kinder to our knees in the UK!!!). As well as the Ballet, there's Contemporary, (perfect for dd as it's her "thing" ) She loved the Repertoire, (Little Red Riding Hood and the Bluebird variation. I think the older group did something from Swan Lake). DD was lucky enough to be chosen to dance the Little Red Riding Hood duet with a Japanese student (an amazing wolf) in the show of work at the end. So I suppose you could say there was performance opportunity too! Only a little pointe work (I think) And she loved Kings Road... well who doesn't when you're a teenager! DD loved her week and is happy to be going again. Can really recommend it- but that is only from the feedback dd has given me- not on a professional level!

Absolutely!

I totally agree Primrose, you've hit the nail on the head.

Aren't 18 out of the 29 cabinet ministers millionaires? Perhaps they could chip in!

I think it doesn't matter what end of the scale you are... top, bottom or in the middle. £5k to someone on £20k (1/4 of income) could be as impossible as some who have the phenomenal amount they are expected to pay at the other end. And as for the poor souls in the middle. No one's a winner. The whole system is unfair. ALL talented dancers deserve equal training, somehow. Don't know who's going to pay for it though, our government certainly isn't forthcoming when supporting the Arts. Petitions do work, look at the petition against ebacc, so keep petitioning for a fairer scheme. BUT what I am beginning to think is perhaps the cost of the training itself is at fault. Why does it have to cost so much* when dancers are paid so little? *n.b. I'm not a dancer or dance teacher or never have been and I do see the amazing skills of the teachers/pianists etc at these dance schools... but why does it have to cost so much? Does it cost this much in other countries? It's after midnight and I'm usually a pumpkin at this hour so not sure if my waffle makes sense but all those who have gained a place at a vocational dance school deserve a huge pat on the back... and, if I can find that fairy godmother, a generous amount of funding too!

Tulte, your DD will LOVE it! The only panicking she'll need to do is over leotards etc, what co-ordinates with what! My DD also offered a place but unfortunately we've had to turn the place down due to other commitments so... if anyones on the waiting list ! Well done to everyone who's going and hope you all have fun!

Wonderful news Encouraged! Have read your thread with interest and been hoping for a happy outcome as it sounds so deserved. I've heard fabulous things about Central and wish your dd a very happy 3 years there!

Thank you for your reply. If you can think of any other useful info please post- it is really appreciated Your kids are lucky with their dual citizenship- must come in handy! Will look into what B1 means for French. The A level bit is a bit unclear. In UK we do 3, sometimes 4. So 7 seems a lot! I'm off North now, visit to Granny (def no internet) then Leeds for Easter Intensive (didn't fork out for wi-fi in room). So if I don't post back please don't think I'm not interested I am- just no internet access. Thanks again et Joyeuses Pacques!!!!

Afab, Thank you very very much for your detailed reply. Sorry if I'm being dense but one can apply at 16? (Doesn't have to be younger?) Not quite sure how the French further education system works. Just read your 1st post, and yes one can audition at 16, if they had their first go at 14, (being tres dense now!) Do they have open days, (though a bit of a trip) or does the Junior Ballet ever venture across the Channel? Or Summer intensives? And I'm guessing they still have a few Classical classes if they chose Contemporary? Is the audition Ballet or Contemporary based or does the prospective student decide beforehand? Don't mean to bombard you with these questions, (sorry). Perhaps these are things my husband could enquire about. So they're the highest school after POB? Yep, a bridge too far, maybe. BUT... CNSMDP looks an amazing place to study, particularly with all those disciplines/influences. What an environment! Afab, do you know anyone who's there? Thanks again! (don't envy having 3 dds, one is hard enough!)

Ok, that was my husband (bless him, redundant/retired language teacher... and over-enthusiastic linguistic daughter). Both dictated to me, my reply!!! My french is tres appalling, tres franglais. Husband is now totally perplexed at what is "a bridge too far" in French. Perhaps you can help?! Thank you afab for your answer, I thought you would be able to but didn't want to ask directly. So the Conservatoire sounds a bit (understatement)... difficult to get in. Looks impressive though. DD very keen to audition, (thankfully her French is not like mine!) but... There's funding issues (but we have those here, BIG time) and I'm not sure I understand the entry age. I thought it was like 6th form/up. Not quite ready for dd to leave home yet! Is the emphasis on Classical or Contemporary or mix? Do they audition similar times to UK, (i.e. Jan/Feb)? Sorry for all these questions. This is 2 years off (she's 13 at the moment), so not urgent as such! Merci beacoup again!

Chouette! Que vous savez beacoup a'ce sujet! On peut auditionner avec 16 ans? Ou c'est trop tard? Vos filles ont auditionne? POB c'est le ballet classique mais le conservatoire est plus comme Rambert? Et il' y a des ressources pour aider l'etudiante? Je crois c'est "un pont trop loin"!!!! Merci beaucoup afab, je suis tres reconnaissante!

Does anyone know anything about the Paris Conservatoire with regards to Ballet/Contemporary. My DD has found their Junior Ballet onYouTube and really likes the style, (to me it looked like Contemporary en pointe, but what do I know!) It's something she's now pondering over as an option in a few years time. (Not sure, though, whether it's the prospect of Paris that's the allure!) Is it similar to Laban? Or Rambert? 16 or 18? etc. Not sure whether anyone knows anything, especially those based in France. Any insight much appreciated !

Congratulations to the yesses, fabulous news... and to the not nows don't worry. My dd received a yes for Year 10 SAs today. The envelope arrived & I managed not to steam it open during my lunch break, went back to work (it's lovely being within walking distance of work!) but waited for dd to come bounding into school with an ecstatic look upon her face . To say she was over the moon is an understatement. Neither of us expected it! But, she did try for mids, year 7, and didn't get a yes, or even SWL. So, didn't try for the Associates until this year, (a break of 3 years, I think time has given her confidence and maturity). So it goes to show a 'no' means 'maybe later'. Good luck to the others still waiting; patience over the Bank Holiday weekend is going to be hard! And letters are coming out all at different times, I'm sure emailing would be a lot less stressful!