Ballet - ISTD vs RAD

My DDs do RAD, and many years ago I did RAD myself so we are a bit biased!

Having said that, of all the boards I think RAD and ISTD are the most respected across the globe. RAD takes a lot of its syllabus work from the major ballets, like the inclusion of character as someone said.

My DDs have done a lot with outreach programmes such as the Royal Ballet junior associates, and various summer schools. The majority of other girls and boys there seem to be RAD trained, although I'm not sure if that is simply because its more common.

The vocational grades at RAD are certainly well renowned for those looking more seriously at dance, and as a mum I appreciate the very slow progression onto pointe with huge emphasis on strength, technique and injury prevention. I have heard it said by the DDs friends that this can make it more tedious, but I'd rather they learned safely and slowly. I don't know too much about ISTD but the same may be true of their teaching progressions.

All this being said, if you have a young one who loves dance and at the moment doesn't take it too seriously, leave them where they enjoy it, at least for now. Dance should be fun, even ballet!

rad for strength and technique. istd for enjoyment and sense of performance. i would chose rad throughout childhood and maybe add istd majors during teens. pleased no one has mentioned idta!

Hello taxi. I was Elphaba- I'm now pictures.

All I know is our RADA examiner was a bit harsh.

Two of the largest full-time vocational ballet schools (Elmhurst School for Dance and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts) both teach RAD syllabus classes to their students.

Also, the RAD has 'character' included in the syllabus - and if you watch traditional ballets such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Giselle you will see that character dance plays a big part in those and many other ballets.

A lot of schools do RAD for ballet and ISTD for tap, modern and jazz.

I think (though I am ready to be corrected) that RAD only do ballet whereas all the other bodies mentioned do other styles of dance as well.

RAD also do not only grades (which have exams at the end) but vocational grades (much later on for your DD should she carry on) for students who are looking to a career in/including dance. RAD also preside over some fairly prestigious competitions (eg Genee).

Cecchetti (you can look this up) was influential in the development of RAD syllabus. Abs am I right in thinking there is a difference in how one gets on to pointe - in Cecchetti you "hop up" and in RAD you roll through the foot? This can make a difference to a)calf development and b)foot development. I believe. (Disclaimer: mother rather than dancer). Not that you will be concerned with pointe work for some time.

There is much snobbery amongst ballet mothers and it can be hard finding stuff out. It's a strange world...

It might be worth your while mooching on the respective sites.

I don't know where you are but in my experience it can be difficult to find Cecchetti teachers - though that might just be where I am.

Oh - and RAD exams are bloody expensive, more so than the other bodies.

Sorry, I've never heard of NATD.

NATD is quite new and has a reputation for being "easier"

What about NATD? My little girl (2 1/2) is just starting at an NATD ballet school, but I was under the impression that RAD was better for some reason but I'm not sure why! Help!!

ISTD has two strands/styles, Imperial and Cecchetti.

Dd does RAD. I and she likes it becasue they do character.

SOme people prefer ISTD becasue they feel the character takes time away from the "proper ballet"

Both are well respected and can produce lovely dancers if you have a good teacher.

I meant not a parent. Should read these things before posting.

not a teacher, but someone who did dancing. I did exams with ISTD and was trained in the Cecchetti style, and then later did RAD.

It's a different style of dancing. Cecchetti was a ballet master and choreagrapher who lived in the early 19th century (I think), and produced a very distinct ballet style. I preferred it to RAD, as it was more "elegant" in a way than RAD (in the way you place your arms, the way the body is trained to move).

Ultimately, I don't think it makes too much difference - the teacher is more important than the exam.