Ballet exams

[womaninatightspot]

DTDs 7yo been doing ballet for a year Grade 1. they can do an exam this year but 41 pounds each. An extra class award for 30 pounds each. Seems a lot for a couple of certificates but is there any other point?

Extortionate isn't it? She'll only be in there for a few minutes too (obviously this changes as you go up the grades).

The advantages of doing grade 1 is that she'll get the feeling of what its like to do a dance exam which will be useful if she's carrying on to higher grades, she won't feel left out and you'll get a bit of feedback on how she's dancing. But yeah, dancing is ruinously expensive. You can just hear the ringing of the tills.

You are paying not only for exam fees but rehearsal classes, music(is there a pianist), hire of venue e5c. Probably need new fitted shoes too.

Our dance school charges for rehearsal exam work - on top of fee’s, so another £30😱, also factor in that they get marked on uniform, so this needs to be in good nick. I liked DD dancing but didn’t push her when she made noises about giving up, she lasted 9 years, cost a small fortune but quite relieved no longer have to find the fees and associated costs anymore.

Tbf it’s the same for any ‘arts’ exams. Music, drama etc all carry the same kind of fees. Be warned the more advanced the get the more expensive they become. My DS’s advanced 1 ballet exam at the age of 17 was well over £100…

Could the GPs pay for this instead of Xmas and birthday presents? That's what we do for my GCs we pay for their activities. I do make a point of saying that Nana and Grandad pay for forest school, jujitsu , dance club or what ever ? I think its so important for them to have these interests .

@Porcupineintherough

Extortionate isn't it? She'll only be in there for a few minutes too (obviously this changes as you go up the grades).

The advantages of doing grade 1 is that she'll get the feeling of what its like to do a dance exam which will be useful if she's carrying on to higher grades, she won't feel left out and you'll get a bit of feedback on how she's dancing. But yeah, dancing is ruinously expensive. You can just hear the ringing of the tills.

They're going to film them which will then be sent to the examiners and graded, the lingering joys of covid.

@LIZS

You are paying not only for exam fees but rehearsal classes, music(is there a pianist), hire of venue e5c. Probably need new fitted shoes too.

I think it's just the exam fees; rehearsal would be in normal class time which I pay for already obviously. Music is just a stereo. Venue will be the same community hall as they normally use.

I just got them new character shoes so hopefully they survive a term. They do keep wearing them round the house though (first heels and a bit excited!)

@FVFrog

Tbf it’s the same for any ‘arts’ exams. Music, drama etc all carry the same kind of fees. Be warned the more advanced the get the more expensive they become. My DS’s advanced 1 ballet exam at the age of 17 was well over £100…

Crikey I better start saving I think it is a nice activity. They like the class and it broadens thier social circle as it has children who are in the year above/ out of area in it but I hadn't budgeted 140 quid for exam fees ( it's about the same cost as a term of lessons!)

We always paid for an extra four or so lessons specifically working on exam exercises and technique.