Hi
My daughter is nearly 11 and has been learning ballet since the age of 3 (grade 3), modern and tap since the age of 6 (grade 3).
She plays the flute (nearly grade 2) and plays the piano (grade 2 in March)
However
She has been doing grade 3 modern for about 2 years , October half term last year half the class went for their grade 4 exam and went into their next class.
then a load of younger kids moved into her class but as she still had some of her old class with her (who are great dancers) I wasn't too concerned.
I take her to ballet this week (doing grade 3 for 2 years) and all the mums are buzzing as their children have been entered for the grade 3 ballet exam in March, but my dd hasn't, neither has it been mentioned to me.
I also then find out that the rest of the old group of children in my dd modern class have been entered for their grade 3 modern exam in feb, again mine hasn't.
My daughter took her grade 1 piano last March and therefore should have been taking her grade 2 this March . Her piano teacher is a friend and I'm not impressed with her teaching (separate post) throughout the Christmas holidays my dd practiced piano daily and can play 2 of her pieces - they need polishing and just needs to get the 3rd tune learn't and done.
She came out of her piano lesson yesterday and told me her 'teacher' doesn't think she is ready for her exam in March as it will be too much 'stress'
Even though she passed with a merit and loved the experience
her last tap exam she was entered into was sept 2012 (primary) she got a distinction
Modern exam (primary) Jan 2011 distinction
wasn't put in for grade 2 - no idea why not
ballet - her teacher originally left her out of the exam, but I questioned it, so she put her in July 2013 (grade 2) and she got a Merit.
My dd is starting to get really bored in dance because it's the same every week, the boredom is showing on her face and her manner
She loves dancing, but isn't the best dancer (I'm under no illusion here that she will have a career in the dance and I'm not being cruel to her, she isn't a natural like some kids) but they have been doing the same stuff every week for 2 years.
And now her piano, if she doesn't go in for her exam in March the next one will be July , I can't expect her to play the same 3 songs until then.
This sounds totally crazy but I'm getting totally pee'd off with all this.
Are these kids not allowed to be good enough to just 'pass' an exam.
When dance teachers won't put them in for whatever reason
Piano teachers spend half the year doing bugger all, then say she won't be ready cause the never started teaching scales etc until Sept
My daughter is getting frustrated as well, she wants to do exams and get certificates and medals like the other girls, but gets missed out , she takes exams without worrying about them, and always gets good marks when given a chance, but she is being denied the opportunity by dance teachers who are more interested than their reputation, but are happy to take £150 a term from me.
Sorry for the rant.
Believe it or not I'm not a pushy mum, my daughter is a quiet girl, she never gets chosen at school, it's the same kids every term up on stage.
even though she can deliver the goods when given the opportunity
I keep telling her "one day your star will shine" but I'm getting increasingly despondent that she is being stopped from achieving anything by 'teachers' who don't pick her.
What can I do to change this ridiculous situation, when I want to shout ' hey teacher look at her, don't ignore her - she doesn't need a distinction'
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Starting to feel frustrated - poor dd
21 replies
2stixoftwix · 09/01/2015 21:29
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