Dance Babies

This “little” section of our School continues to grow which is fantastic, and we are all having lots of fun. A big thank you for your patience when I suddenly vanished, having forgotten that I had exams one Monday. I know that little people get very attached to their teachers and any change can cause distress. I think they all coped splendidly. Many thanks to Trudy and Becky for holding the fort.

The School operates an advance payment system so that we can always ensure that the hall and teachers are paid for, and that the lesson goes ahead as planned, irrespective of whether you can make it or not. We have been rather flexible with these classes as they have been new, however, we must look at putting them on the same payment footing as the rest of the School in the New Year. I am aware that some children come with childminders, and your circumstances may be slightly different. In those cases, please phone me and we can discuss your individual requirements.

Exams - RAD

Well done to everyone who took part in the recent exam session. Miss Sellars was lovely, and very smiley. I will let you know as soon as the results are through.

Exams - IDTA

The previous date of 27th November was not pursued due to various students worrying that they would not be ready in time. I am in the process of fixing another date and will let you know as soon as this is available. It is likely that we will have two dates, one at East Ardsley and one at Alwoodley, so that children can take their exams at their own Centre without the need for traveling.

Congratulations to :-

Northern Ballet – Nutcracker

Current pupils Freyja Childs, Richard Johnston, Jourja Pattrik, Samantha Taylor and Bria Westcarr and former pupils Laura Myers and Rachel Myers are appearing in Northern Ballet Theatre's production of The Nutcracker. The ballet is being performed at Leeds' Grand Theatre. If you can get tickets to support them go for it. (see Front Page for Yorkshire Evening Post article).

MAOS

Charlotte Anderson, Kiera Rose, Jessica Taylor and Samantha Taylor who were successful in their auditions with Morley Amateur Operatic Society. They are now Sunbeams in the Panto. Further information to follow.

YYDT

The School was fantastically successful at the recent auditions for Yorkshire Youth Dance Theatre. Emily Bailey, Sophie Turner, Caitlin Rose, Rebecca Bonthron and Heather Irving were all offered places on the Easter performance workshop. Their performance will take place on Thursday 3rd April. Well done girls.

Fonteyn/Nureyev Competition

We have FOUR students competing in this prestigious competition. We are one of few Schools in the country with so many eligible candidates. Natalie Alleston, Richard Johnston, Caitlin Rose and Heather Irving are all competing. The competition is run by the RAD once every two years, and is only open to children who reach very high standards in their RAD Grade 4/5 and Intermediate Foundation exams. See www.youngdancer.org.uk for more information. The first round of heats take place in Manchester on Sunday 27th January, we are looking to hire a coach, but tickets for the event are £15 each. Please let me know if you want to come and support our competitors.

Swan Lake – English National Ballet

ENB are performing Swan Lake at Leeds Grand Theatre at Easter. We have secured 20 tickets for the Saturday matinee performance on 5th April. The seats are in the Stalls and are £15 per child. If any adult wishes to come then they are most welcome, but unfortunately their tickets will be full price at £46. The ballet is three hours long so please only put your name down if you know you will be able to sit still for that long. It is a four act ballet with three intervals so plenty of time for ice cream. Places are limited and on a strictly first come first served basis and are only secured on payment. I request that all students coming wear their School t-shirt so that we can keep a close eye on you.

ENB Workshop

ENB are also running a workshop on the same day, this starts at 9.30pm and lasts until 12.30 followed by the performance. Tickets are £32 and this includes your ballet ticket. You should be 14-18 and Grade 4 or above. I looking at whether the company are willing to be flexible on the age limits as obviously we have students older and younger who wish to attend.

Uniform

As you can see by this newsletter our School is having a fabulous amount of success in exams and external auditions. We work very hard to ensure that all students have equal opportunities and don't miss anything. In return we ask that you respect our policies and abide by our rules. We supply uniform for several reasons (1) to ensure that every child has the same outfit and to minimise bullying/peer pressure, (2) to make sure that the quality of uniform remains constant and (3) to save you time and money and make it more convenient for you.

And finally...........

My mother has broken her foot. If you see her remember to give her a hard time.