F/T training & outside classes

[Katymac]

If DD goes to college in September, will she be allowed to continue her 'outside' dance classes?

Someone said that she would have to stop her associate schemes etc

How about random performances she does with a music group?

Is this something I negotiate about or just agree to?

[2dancersmum]

I think it is something you would have to talk to the college about as they all seem different but perhaps you ought to be thinking as much along the lines of does DD want to or should she? Especially with the Associate schemes - who are they aimed at and would they still want someone now in full time training? Most associates are aimed at providing extra training to non-vocational students or so I thought. There is also the time and energy commitment. Your DD may do a lot now but the intensity of full day training from perhaps 9 -6 every day, with some weekends required, is not to be underestimated. I think most colleges would agree to 'odd' events or classes - but a regular class or associate scheme might be different.

[Katymac]

There has been a certain amount of pressure on her to continue with one of them; DD loves it but iis worried about being exhausted.

I wonder if saying 'no' during the first time while she adjusts & offering to revisit at Christmas when she has settled in

[2dancersmum]

I would keep all your options open at this point until you know for definite where your DD will be training in September (correct me if I'm wrong but I thought you were still waiting for news). One of them might want to keep your DD but until you know where she will be and the logisitics of travel, cost, time etc let alone if the new college will allow it, you cannot really make any decisions. I know it is a really odd time for you at the moment - sort of stuck in limbo - and to a certain extent it stays odd even when you have definite plans confirmed as until DD actually starts you are still living the old life, but not really part of its future. DD found that as talk in year 11 turned to induction days and starting 6th form, October ballet exams at her dance school etc. There were very few of her friends not going into year 12 and she was the only one not staying local.

[suesmith]

I totally agree with 2dancersmum - keep all options open until you have a definitive plan. Full time training I think is going to be a huge step for our dc - I imagine they will be exhausted. My dd is keen to get a weekend job asap now she is 16, but I really want for her to wait until she starts and see how she feels as I envisage her spending the entire wekend sleeping!! I'm sure the places she currently trains will understand that you are unable to make a commitment at this stage - will they be offering something that she will not get during her full time vocational training? Its horrid being in this state of limbo but won't be much longer now

[JayLou62]

Hi,

I agree it depends on the course and associate programme. If dd goes to Dance Academy South West her ballet teachers from her current school have said dd can carry on with their evening ballet classes depending on how tired dd is. I spoke to the Principal of the college today and she agreed that the college timetable is full on and most students are really tired at the end of the day (dd will have been dancing from 9.00am and either finishes at 4.30pm on Fridays or 5.30pm (after pilates) or 7.00pm (if she needs to stay for ISTD Adv 1 ballet) on Tuesdays.
At the moment dd plans to carry on with her Russian Youth Ballet Company classes which are 4 hours on alternate Sundays purely because she still plans to try again for ballet; the classes work on pas de deux, repertoire, contemporary and also do at least 1 full length ballet every year which she won't get anywhere else (Cinderella on 4th May with 2 principal dancers from ENB and Nutcracker at Christmas).
The current extras (her private lessons which she has on Saturdays) she will have as part of her college timetable as her Singing teacher teaches at the college (Singing, Acting and Musical Theatre).