The Dark Side of Ballet Schools - Panorama investigation

Name changed as I'm partly quoting and want to remain anonymous.

A couple of years ago DS's dance teacher (ex professional who attended boarding school) said these vocational dance schools, though she was speaking of RB, are spoilt for choice when auditioning at 10/11, and the real difficulty is when they reach 16 having been through puberty and their bodies have changed, so why audition for full time training at 10/11.

An interesting point that has been made is that there is no regulatory body for ballet as there is for sports. Yes the boarding schools will be checked by Ofsted and there are various dance boards but that's not the same. Though I once reported some mentally and emotionally abusive behaviour in a local school to one of the dance boards (IDTA) and didn't even receive a response, so I wouldn't say that was fit for purpose.

I hope something changes now after the Panorama debate.

The problem with Tring is that they have less funding available than most of the other schools so unless you can afford to pay fees it isn't an option for many.

Indeed. As Comefromaway says, if a business won’t allow any negative posts to be made about it without threatening legal action, I would wonder what they might be hiding.

Definitely look at Rambert, as well as Tring Park now that the former director of dance has gone, especially if your child is at all academic.

Though I think I would have doubled checked about BT first as they’re not allowed to be discussed at all in some other places as you probably know (along with Ballet West) so I did wonder why not.

They have a tendency to threaten legal action if anyone makes any post that is even slightly critical. Make of that what you will.

Very, very very few at vocational level. Pushy parents are much more likely to be found in local dance schools, especially those who do comps. As a parent you are pretty much kept out of the vocational school selection process and once they are in held very much at arms length. I think I only met 2 children out of hundreds who had been pushed into it by a parent. They tend to only select children who really, really want it.

My attitude to dd was, well, OK we will let you try but if at any time you feel it isn't working out, tell us and that's OK, it won't be seen as a failure. Our only stipulation was no changing schools between year 10-12 because of GCSE's.

Well that’s reassuring to know. I hadn’t looked to see what the current requirements were.

I will certainly be researching more. Thank you, we hadn’t considered or looked at Rambert so will look into that also.

Though I think I would have doubled checked about BT first as they’re not allowed to be discussed at all in some other places as you probably know (along with Ballet West) so I did wonder why not.

How many parents are the ones pushing the kids more than the kids want it?

Same

Was it her autobiography you read? A beautiful, talented dancer but developed an ED and had plastic surgery too, if I recall correctly.

It is not just ballet, the dance schools, insane world of dance competitions and the current trend for young dancers to be brand ambassadors and insta influencers needs to change. Not all of it is bad but some of it is really not healthy. Parents are advocates for their children first and foremost. They need to look at these opportunities and decide who really benefits here, is this what my child needs and not be blinded and sucked into the whole dance/ stage mom world.

@DewinDwl I don't know much about flamenco, but it sounds like a healthier attitude. Once saw some dancers with Paco Pena, though, and they radiated power and confidence and were certainly not waifs!

Interesting point. In flamenco looks and size have zero importance, so long as you dance on the beat and convey feeling.

Isn't the problem ballet itself?

Agreed the program was shocking and so very sad but it is not surprising to anyone who knows anything about this world.

As a parent I would have very serious reservations about sending my child to one of these schools. I understand the need to provide opportunity if they have a talent but sending 11 year olds to board in this environment where an unnatural amount of perfection is required is just too high a risk.

Ballet has a particular aesthetic as well, paralleling white, western ideas of beauty. Other world dance forms don't require dancers to be so thin.

@bellac11 I suppose ballet is about making shapes with the body. and curves 'spoil' the shapes.
Dancers are expected to ignore pain and discomfort and push on through. Many will develop injuries or give up, Gelsey Kirkland wrote about taking drugs to manage.
Balanchine made the lean look popular. it is said. One could also see it as another form of female oppression - like the corset. Male dancers suffer too, but some men always have under the patriarchy,

So the 'look' takes priority?

But then how do they expect someone to be able to perform so rigously and in exhausting routines and do all the moves they need to do?

I dont get it really.

And who invented 'the look', why is it there?

I have always said I would support my kids in their hobbies and not be 'that mum' in any way, either over encouraging them or the other way round. But both DH and I agreed that ballet and gymnastics were a no-go. Whatever they like except those two. It's not worth it. Yes bullying and weight shaming can happen in many activities but with these 2 it seems rife.
Those poor girl (and boys).

@Comefromaway yes and no though - surely Balanchine was bringing across the aesthetic that was already popular in society of the early 20s? The flapper movement brought in the boyish, ultrathin body trend first, I would think?