CeliB Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 For those of you who followed DSs progress through Lausanne to the Dutch National Ballet Academy, some rather dramatic news. After only 5 weeks at the NBA, DS and the academy parted ways, in what can probably most kindly be called an irreconcilable difference of artistic opinion. Whilst some fault on DSs side for not coming clean about the fact that he couldn't get on with the teaching, the reaction from the so called adults has been shocking in the extreme, and my opinion of their processes for dealing with student problems is unprintable. I would only note that if anyone is considering the NBA for their child please do PM me in the future and I can provide details, just to ensure no one falls foul of their (lack of) due process. Anyway, following a shocking weekend which necessitated DH and I leaping on the next plane to Amsterdam to pick our very distressed son off the floor in pieces, pack up his entire life and ship him home, I am very happy to report he was immediately invited to audition for the Vaganova in St Petersburg (they heard he was leaving Amsterdam via one of his teachers from Kirov Washington). He then spent a few weeks at home in a serious slough of despond (understandably, given the character assassination meted out upon him by the teacher at the NBA) and came very close to giving up ballet altogether. It has been a very, very tense month... But he agreed to at least go and see the Vaganova, duly flew out, had the fabulous opportunity to take company class with the Mikhailovsky Ballet where one of his best friends is in the corps, (he ended up doing floor combinations with Leonid Sarafanov- one of his all time heroes!), arrived late to the Vaganova class (they gave him the wrong time!) so he had to join at jumps with no barre, but was accepted after his first combination (luckily ferme which is one of his strengths- thank heavens it wasn't pirouettes). So pending visas, DS is now back on track and very positive about the future. DH and I, meanwhile, have our nerves in shreds..... As a friend said to me, sometimes these things, whilst grim at the time, end up being for the best. Let's hope so- I'm not sure I could cope with another month like the last one. Mine's a gin please, easy on the tonic... 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wow! My "like" was for the good news bit not what you've all been through! Really feel for you, glad you managed to get your ds away and so glad he didn't give up. Vaganova's gain!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pups_mum Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wow CeliB...what a rollercoaster. Well done to your DS (and you) for getting through that and best of luck to him on his new adventure. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Oh goodness me.What a rollercoaster of emotions for you all. But things always work out for the best in the end. Vaganova eh? Wow. Just wow. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pas de Quatre Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Thank you for sharing, and wishing you, your DH and DS a very Happy Christmas. I hope it all goes well in St Petersburg, and please do keep us in the loop. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymum Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Oh CeliB! What news! It must have been extremely difficult and stressful for your DS and you, I'm so sorry to hear about what happened - but the outcome is fantastic! Things do happen for a reason! Your DD is very talented and it all calls for a very large glass of gin indeed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jan McNulty Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 I feel for what you have all been through CeliB. Hopefully with your DS training at the Kirov in Washington the Vaganova will suit him to a tee. Wishing you all the very best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat09 Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Onwards and upwards - all the best to your talented son, sorry to hear that he had such a horrible time in Amsterdam! Merry Xmas to you all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Oh that sounds hideous! I'm so glad it has ended well and looking forward to hearing all about it. Happy Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 How awful, CeliB! Your poor ds! I hope he will be very happy at the Vaganova. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinMM Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Oh Celi B don't know what to say ....and lovely to see Oscar in class in October ....we all just spontaneously clapped one of his jump enchainments ...just stunning....which is why I can hardly believe what you have said about his experiences at the Dutch school. He did say then that the training was really hard work but I cannot understand why some dance teachers think the way to get the best out of a student is to destroy their confidence....weird! Anyway what good news to follow so glad he is back on track as he would definitely be a loss to ballet if he were to give up but it is a tough old world out there for Dance students (have just heard yesterday of another DC having to leave a school in the middle of training) Wishing him all the best and he already has a fan club tell him!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Wishing him all the very best at Vaganova ! Onwards and upwards ! X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 What a horribly tough time you have all had. How distressing for you and outrageous that such bad treatment still goes on, and in a top school too. Most odd given that they watched him all week, and offered him a placed based on his achievements at the Prix - they new what they were getting. I believe that everything happens for a reason and the benefit of this situation will unfold in time. Good luck with the next phase of your ds journey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Horrible publicity for this school Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 What a horribly tough time you have all had. How distressing for you and outrageous that such bad treatment still goes on, and in a top school too. Most odd given that they watched him all week, and offered him a placed based on his achievements at the Prix - they new what they were getting. I believe that everything happens for a reason and the benefit of this situation will unfold in time. Good luck with the next phase of your ds journey. I think the issue was that the director of the NBA and the ADs of the junior and main companies are different people, and although there are close links (in the sense that the companies explicitly say they will look to the NBA first before looking elsewhere) the ADs of the companies do not have any influence over how the NBA runs. So the NBA director was persuaded to take DS by the junior company AD but even at the time seemed disinterested in DS (so DH felt). I am wondering now whether there is some kind of political rivalry going on, of which poor DS was simply collateral damage since no matter how we review his sins (and honestly we do know fairly well what he was up to and what he shouldn't have been!) he was viciously treated compared to others in his class doing the same or worse. Anyway, I could like all the above posts but will just say thank you all for your kind words and support. I am crossing my fingers, toes and everything else crossable for the next step... 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Why can't life be straight forward ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Thank you for sharing and we wish your son all the best for the future. You might need to develop a preference for vodka...? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harwel Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Ahh, that makes sense and your thoughts very plausible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melody Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Gosh, that's horrible. Using children as collateral damage to make a point in a power struggle. Whatever next? Given how hard it is to get into these top-flight schools, it's wonderful that he managed to get into another really good school without too much trouble. That certainly attests to his talent and his work ethic. I hope he thrives there and that you and your DH don't have too many extra grey hairs as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Good luck to your son, glad he has got his passion for dance back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingDays Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 What a stressful time you must all have had. It just goes to show that nothing is certain and every step our children take on this vocational path is uncertain and holds risk. All power to your son and you you for taking a leap of faith again and continuing on the journey! Wishing him every success at the Vaganova and wow for the achievement in and of itself! x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huddsballetmum Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 What a wonderful end to a horrible experience. Wishing your DS all the very best for the future and you all a very Merry Christmas after such a stressful month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdance Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I am so horrified to hear of your awful experience but equally so happy to hear about such a wonderful, positive resolution for you all. Best of luck to your wonderful DS at Vaganova and may you all have a peaceful and happy Christmas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porthesia Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 Good luck to your son after such a torrid time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dance*is*life Posted December 22, 2015 Share Posted December 22, 2015 I am presuming that your profile photo is of your son and he looks amazing! Anyone would be happy to get him! Very best of luck to him - I am sure we will be hearing more good news about him in the future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted December 23, 2015 Author Share Posted December 23, 2015 ah yes the pic is of him- but its quite old now - this is him after only 2 years vocational training, I believe his jump is bigger now (haven't actually seen him perform in a while)- although he struggles with turns still... hopefully the training at vaganova will be sufficiently in tune with the way he dances that they may be able to help out with that. I think he is also reassured by the fact that the chap form the States who is in the Mikhailovsky Corps also spent 2 yrs at Vaganova and is now 22- I suspect DS was worrying that he would be 'behind' if he did any more training (at the ripe old age of 18!) even though he felt he needed it because he started vocational training so late. Anyway we are cautiously optimistic- I know his work ethic is pretty good if he feels he is learning and enjoying himself, but he tends to opt out pretty fast if not, which was partly why the NBA was such a disaster. Will keep you all posted... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletqs Posted December 24, 2015 Share Posted December 24, 2015 Hi CeliB sorry not been in touch sooner. Really sad to hear this BUT I've seen so many kids here go on somewhere at 16 and have it all fall apart it's soul destroying so thank goodness you have plans in place and he's not being wasted! Some places just don't suit some- I've seen more give up in this country during/after vocational training than I can count. So potentially a much happier ending for you all and wishing him all the very best! Do keep us posted. And if there is any warning you think I need to hear please inbox me x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastel Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 So sorry to read of your Ds experience! I'm glad he has a new offer and wish you both all the best for his next adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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