Twinkle toes Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Hi I have been following this forum for a while now and have found it really useful and friendly. So here goes my first post and what is probably a really daft question but I will ask anyway as I don't know the answer!!! My dd is auditioning for an associate place on Sunday and the school she is auditioning for says the associate classes cover ballet, contemporary, jazz, variations and repertoire. Can anyone tell me what variations means and what she is likely to do in a variations class if she gets in? Also I presume repertoire means that they learn parts of actual ballets but as she is only 11 I am worried that would be too complicated and advanced for her?? Any advice welcome 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 I would have thought any variations or rep learned at 11 would be adjusted to make the choreo age/ability appropriate. I remember Mr Kerridge's wonderful rep classes when dd used to do Tring Easter school - one year it was the Chicken Dance from La Fille. :-) Quite simple, fun versions of repertoire from famous ballets and the children had a whale of a time. IMHO a "variation" is a simply a dance from a ballet, such as the fairy variations from Sleeping Beauty (solo variations) or the Bluebird Pas de deux. Again I am sure the choreo would be adjusted to suit the students. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Slightly off topic, but I LOVE the Clog Dance from La Fille mal gardee, one of my favourite pieces of music ever. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Welcome to the forum And good luck for the audition - sounds like an exciting programme! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 (edited) Yes a variation is a solo from a Ballet, eg one of the fairies in Sleeping Beauty. I also love La fille mal gardee- the juniors did a great rendition of the chicken dance last year at Harpenden Summer Dance School with ds as the rooster! Good luck with the audition I have a pupil going too, as I presume you are talking about Ballet Theatre UK? Edited May 22, 2013 by hfbrew 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa O`Brien Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 First ballet I ever saw was Fille. SWRB at Manchester Opera House. I too , love the music to the Clog Dance. [Got it on my brain now.!] Oh, and welcome to the forum, Twinkle toes.!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemongirl Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Oooh, at they doing it again at Harpenden this year? My dd is going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Oooh, at they doing it again at Harpenden this year? My dd is going! Nothing planned yet so open to suggestions...... Maybe on the Harpenden Summer School thread though so as not to hijack this one!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balletdogs Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Hi Twinkle Toes, glad you asked this question as I thought I knew but wasn't exactly sure and now it's confirmed.. I am in the same boat too, never posted but my DD is auditioning Sunday too. And yes the programme does look exciting. Good luck all xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Welcome to the forum both of you. :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinkle toes Posted May 22, 2013 Author Share Posted May 22, 2013 Hi all thanks for all the great advice and the lovely welcomes. Yes it is ballet theatre uk. Dd is rather nervous but I've told her to try to relax and enjoy it, it doesn't really matter what the outcome is. Good luck to everyone who also has children or students auditioning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pastel Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 my dd has variation class as well as repertoire class each week. As far as I can tell, a variation is a set little dance out of a ballet, usually performed by a soloist. At a recent competition, she had to choose a variation from a number of ballets. The one chosen had to be the exact choreography from a well known company. In repertoire class they learn long and short dances from ballets, can be a solo or corp dance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Hi all, don't know wether I should start a new thread but thought i'd post my question here as it is about the BTUK audition this Sunday; Is this leotard okay, or would something a bit less flashy (plain black, more classical looking) be more appropriate? https://dancewear.co.uk/products/details&prodid=3026 Thanks x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 In my opinion - and it is just my opinion! - something in between that and plain black would be perfect. I think coloured leotards are lovely, and a colour can make you stand out in a good way. But that particular leotard is very "modern" and would be very effective on stage. For a ballet audition in a studio might a more classical style be better? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieW Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Lovely colour but I would definitely steer away from that style for an audition - go more classical :-) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afab Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I agree... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiz Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 It's a lovely leotard, but if I was auditioning, I would wear something a little more traditional. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Okay, thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Its a lovely leotard but please don't wear it to audition. The colour is fine but you need a more classical style! Good luck and show you enjoy your dancing! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Thank you Hfbrew! I think I will go for a plain black Bloch one (I was thinking the "Ballon" style- 3/4 length sleeves and low back, it looks far more classical) Hope your pupil does well, is she in group 2? (I am) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Do you have any classical leotards in another colour than black? Sometimes wearing a coloured leotard can make you feel pretty while still being suitable for a ballet audition. :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loulabelle Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I would also advise a nice high cut leg line if you have one like that. A camisole leotard would be most suitable for ballet in my opinion and a stretchy belt to enhance your waist. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Try and go for a style of leotard that the royal ballet senior associates use, high cut legs and thin straps. A very classical look is what you are aiming for, show off lovely long arms and legs. Good luck. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Beelam Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Good luck everybody and welcome to you newbies! I agree Leo is lovely colour, but I think too modern for classical audition x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Thank you Hfbrew! I think I will go for a plain black Bloch one (I was thinking the "Ballon" style- 3/4 length sleeves and low back, it looks far more classical) Hope your pupil does well, is she in group 2? (I am) I don't actually know! But she is quite young and as I am guessing you are around 15 you probably won't be in the same group. Re leotard do check that whatever style you choose accentuates your good points, the one you describe sounds lovely but check that it doesn't make your body look too long, neck too short and that your shoulders look even! Above all feel comfortable so that you can really dance- for example don't wear a camisole if it makes you feel too exposed (am thinking of one of my inters who constantly fidgeted with hers!) If you do go with plain black then put a very discreet coloured bow either at the top or the bottom of your bun to help identify you.... Best of all look like you love dancing and have the capacity to work hard! I presume you've seen the company so know how expressive they are. Good luck! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxi4ballet Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 If you do go with plain black then put a very discreet coloured bow either at the top or the bottom of your bun to help identify you.... Great idea, there is usually a sea of black leotards at auditions (!) and I agree with the others who say a classical style leotard is probably best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Hi swanprincess have sent you a pm! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Thanks very much everyone for the advice it is really appreciated! (and i'm so sorry Twinkletoes, I seem to have sort of gatecrashed this thread with a rather random question that doesn't relate to your query!!) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twinkle toes Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 No problem at all swanprincess and wishing you lots of luck for Sunday. Thanks to everyone who has helped to answer my question and good luck to everyone auditioning. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swanprincess Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Best of luck to everyone auditioning today, have fun!! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hfbrew Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 You too xx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lildancer96 Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Best of luck swan princess - look forward to hearing about it x 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted May 26, 2013 Share Posted May 26, 2013 Good luck! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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