LinMM

It certainly did last week inspite of the prop mishap which I didn't notice!!

I'm off to Nantes to see a non ballet friend there!!!....Though I did persuade her to do some Pilates available locally and she now enjoys that and she went to see Nutcracker in December when one of the smaller Russian companies visited and now wants to see Swan Lake so could become a ballet nut yet!!! I'm training it via Paris as Flybe not going from Gatwick this year which had very reasonable fares. Sorry way off topic thread......but to get back to it and mainly for Pastel my friend unlike me (so she's probably right) does think that the Royal like the Australian Ballet are into a certain proportional look and if you don't have this look thinks its not worth auditioning as there are so many good ones who do!! There is a girl dancing in the Royal now who went to the same ballet school in Sydney and seems to be doing quite well at mo but I personally wouldn't say she was particularly "royal" looking so I'm still not sure. Maybe if you are the one with the DD these problems seem more insurmountable!! And again a question of not wanting to waste money etc

Pastel friend just emailed back and all is okay so I will PM you with her details in a while am off to France tomorrow got to get some Euros etc!! She can tell you her daughters school in Sydney etc....perhaps you have met in passing...it's often a small world!!

Thanks Afab clears it up somewhat! But what about private scholarships etc(not from Government) are these open to anyone or subject to particular rules eg in France are there private scholarships available for either French only or anyone can apply sort of thing? I imagine private scholarships are set up by individuals in some sort of philanthropic trust but way out of my comfort zone here!!

Hi Pastel have sent her an email waiting on reply but I'm pretty sure won't be a problem but because its via a third person(myself) why don't you wait to PM me till I hear from her I could PM you when I do etc!! Yes fees fees fees their eldest boy is about to start Uni and she was worried about this just recently!! What with the middle boy wanting to audition for acting schools...possibly in UK too and daughter into ballet etc I don't know how they manage! I didn't realise that non UK kids were not entitled to any sort of grant.....though understandable if UK tax payers money is paying it!! But still not sure what this sponsorship deal is.....do they have to win a competition to get this.....and are all scholarships actually from the government directly.....if there was a private scholarship available maybe open to anyone....just not sure about these things!! To get more back on topic thread about size and weight for ballet students I would assume if your daughter is a reasonable weight for height etc......there are online charts for general health purposes which give some idea for age etc.....probably better if marginally under the accepted healthy weight for ballet but not too much.....then I think she should fine for auditioning.....in UK. I'm sure they are more interested in dance talent and potential in the end.

Sorry you didn't enjoy ChocChip as I say I had been trying to see it for 8months so this probably enhanced the experience for me!!! But nevertheless thought the stories of the students were interesting and thought that the ending was generally uplifting....I almost cheered out loud at one result (the boy who got the scholarship/sponsorship to the Royal Ballet). I haven't seen the other film you mentioned" Tutumuch" .....is this just on DVD or is it a cinema release too? The problem with these types of films is usually poor times for showing at local cinemas as they not seen as general public interest and they obviously assume that all ballet lovers are free in the daytime sewing on ballet ribbons and don't have a working life!!!

You'll soon be an expert!!

Pastel it has occurred to me to put you in touch with my friend in Sydney she is up in this sort of thing too(used to work for Australian Arts Council researching new Dance groups for funding etc) and has a DD in similar position but bit younger as mentioned. Perhaps you can have a good chinwag about the whole process of it all.....though people on this forum have good up to date knowledge of current schools in UK as some have children already at them so perhaps my friend for moral support and the forum for up to date advice!!

There is also London Russian School in Clapham. They have a website so you can see what's on offer though I think this will have a smaller intake than others mentioned so am not sure number of places for 16-18 but you can email,them and they are usually very prompt in replying to emails. Other schools mentioned are probably more established. I think Central is a good option for more ballet orientated as well as ENB. It's the funding that's the big problem and presumably you would need this so competition is strong. After Central I would go for Tring but you probably as others have said just need to have a go at as many as you can rather than put all eggs in one basket so to speak.

Thanks John Mallinson....it's just me and the iPad to which I seem to be symbiotically joined at the moment....so guess its alright not to sign out every time. I suppose on thinking about it I ought to do every so often though or I'll probably forget my password!!

Sounds great and who knows what openings could come from it. I wish I knew someone who lived up in or near Edinburgh who could offer you a cheap stay but unfortunately I don't. If you are going by train you can get very good deals on "advanced" fares which are released 12 weeks in advance. Coach travel can be cheaper if you don't get an advanced rail fare. The problem with driving up that distance apart from petrol cost is......could you do it all in one go or then you need an overnight stop somewhere which all adds to the expense....then let alone any parking fees which may have to be paid!! Two drivers sharing the driving could make it feasible though. Sometimes it's worth exploring whether the universities are offering any accommodation though if they are no doubt that's popular so have to book quickly. Also Youth Hostels are worth checking these days as often they offer more individual sleeping like single and double rooms as well as the dorms etc......I'm sure you don't have to do jobs any more either! Anyway hope it all gets sorted for you.

Not quite the same question but I haven't officially signed out yet since I joined the Forum.....does this matter in any way....I mean is it a good idea to sign out each time. I never think about cookies and wouldn't know how to block them etc! I have never been on a forum until this one and don't twitter etc so may not be up on things that I should, thanks

Well that is hard going Fizz....certainly the no holiday at all bit! My record for not abroad though is 12 years on the trot!! Hopefully will get one in September this year. One of the good things about retirement is that one doesn't have to go in school holidays any more when all the prices go up a few hundred! What is your daughter hoping to do as part of the Edinburgh Fringe?

Ah well both still at it then! I'm sure he'd be very surprised to know I'm at it again.....still trying to bring something to fruition!! I read his book recently "The song sings the bird". Enjoyed that. To get back to the music thread though....I do remember if any of his pianists did not quite get the rhythm he wanted he would whistle instead!! Okay but....don't think I'd want for every class!!!

Just a thought.....you could take to dance busking in the street.....could earn you some extra cash!!

I guess it's baked beans for you all for a few months then!! Lets hope the British summer comes up to scratch for once so then you won't have to regret not having that well earned break abroad!!

I assume Roger will have retired by now.....must be in his 80's!! I'm glad David is still playing then. But there was a rather special atmosphere in that particular class. Roger's classes were always very intense at the best of times but he was a great teacher and passed on a great love and respect for classical dance.

Yes I suppose By having to do it oneself one becomes an expert at it! Seems shocking what you say about these professional videos though especially as you have to pay for them etc. My friend who has a DD (aged 13) lives in Sydney and may have to get into this videoing task. As it happens they are over for a visit this summer and DD is doing two summer schools here....the Yorkshire one and then ENB as never know when can come again!! In previous years she has done day courses at the RAD in London. But as both parents are from UK and most of other family members are located here I think they are keen on the idea of a UK company.....if it should all come to that fantastic conclusion! in the end though I suppose anywhere they can get a chance to dance for a few years would be fine too. They are in this position where they never know now too how long hubby's job there will last.....precarious times for all at mo in the job market...and harder in Oz I think because of the distances between cities etc. Anyway hope your daughters audition is successful.....will she try anywhere else too?

Had a really lovely day at Franziskas workshop in London yesterday. The centre practice focused on various tours en l'air from lunge preparation......into attitude/arabesque/ al la seconde turns which I found quite hard as getting onto demi pointe from this position requires a lot of strength. A couple came off but these definitely need a lot more practice!! However the highlight was learning a piece of choreography from Le Corsaire....the third Odalisque dance the one with the arabesque and en dehors /en dedans pirouettes across the diagonal. Anyway this was great fun and very energising trying to remember it and eventually give some attempt at "performing" it!! I just wish there were more mini repertoire sessions like this and I am going to ask Franziska whether she will consider doing more either as a workshop or special repertoire class(a two hour class....hour for warmup then hour to learn a piece should suffice) Her next workshop in July in which the centre practice will focus on pirouettes may not have this repertoire bit.....will check....but it does seem to be what everybody really enjoys and would like. Anyway inspiring day. In the end I bought a pair of Bloch split soles in black.....they fit really well in D fitting in canvas range but have my reservations about the wisdom of split soles for me and my feet!! Interestingly the leather split soles are narrower and didn't fit as well as the canvas. My reservations are.....will the shoe give enough support and will canvas last more than 3months on my feet!! Anyway will give them a go and they did come with the elastics partly sewn on which was a godsend!! Do most others use split soles for their ballet lessons(adults I mean) these days or do others wear full sole shoes?

Yes I would say go for it. Your daughter is 16 so although still young should be able to deal with the rigours of the auditioning process. Out of interest when you apply via video do you just do the videoing yourself or are there sort of specialist dance video people who do it?! I imagine its not that easy to film someone dancIng.

I so agree with your comment spannerandpony about waiting sometimes....I saw a documentary on Elmhurst and a boy who showed promise had to leave because he had not grown enough that year and I thought if they had just waited another year he could have grown a lot taller.....not necessarily....but he might have and I thought deserved the benefit of the doubt after all the effort put in so far. So it seems we don't treat our own talents that well sometimes. The sort of thing that bothered me was if he had been a paying student and not on a grant/scholarship would he have been allowed to stay? So does money still talk so to speak....whether its parents or sponsors paying the fees.

That's great Michelle creating your own choreography can be fun and very satisfying.....and at least you've got three weeks to do it. Sometimes something that is helpful is once you've chosen your track just move completely non balletic ally around to see what movements you can feel in the music and then turn the main ideas from this into more balletic form. But I'm sure you've got your own method anyway especially with your salsa experience. I know the musician you are talking about who plays outside the ROH I love his music too and have often thought of buying a CD etc I thought it might be nice for long car journeys. I would love there to be a more choreographic class just once a week as I think Ive said before so may have to get some like minded dancers together!!

Years ago in one of Roger Tully's classes we had a rather special Friday choreographic class...so after the barre the whole centre practice was given over to creating a dance. We had a wonderful pianist David Ward who played for this class and he had a great feel for the requisite music though sometimes we worked to a particular piece....exquisitely played of course. This class was the highlight of my week for a while. The music makes all the difference.

Thanks chinafish as I missed this and it's important that one of our dancers can do the original choreography....I'm sure Anjuli will be pleased to know this!! Next time I see Bayadere I'll look out in particular for this in that dance!

Yes Dance is Life these young people enter more competitions and win scholarships or earn sponsorships. The dancer in question in my above post did well in America at the YAGP. Sometimes at these competitions representatives from the top ballet companies are there also looking for future talent etc. A lot of these kids from abroad certainly could not afford the fees!!! Just as ones in UK can't . In fact the only way some can continue to dance at all is if they get some money from these competitions. I know competitions are not everything but they do seem to be full of Chinese Japonese and South Americans with a smattering from Europe and Australia. Very few UK students seem to go to these competitions. I don't fully understand the sponsorship role but if Companies can get Sponsors to pay for students might that not also sway their decision into who is admitted to senior schools etc obviously given the students have lots of talent......which they usually do!!! This just about stays within this topic thread I realise that why are there not more UK dancers who have been trained in UK in the Royal Ballet and other top companies and does this mean the Royal is in danger of losing its specific or former style.