Ballet - ISTD vs RAD

[Strix]

DD takes a variety of dance classes, one of which is ballet. I was just wondering if veteran ballet parents might be able to shed some light on the difference between these exams.

I think that RAD is a bit more classical than ISTD but don't really know what that means.

I am not and never was a dancer. So, assume I know nothing.

ISTD is a lot more demanding than RAD.

Vaganova is harder

What syllabus is she studying at the moment?

ISTD (cecchetti) which my child does is really thought of as quite classical. I don't know how to compare it to ISTD though. Didn't Darcey Bussell do cecchetti?

I think RAD has a reputation for being more classical than other syllabi, but criticisms of it lately I've heard are that it is more performance based than it was.

My child does character (though we call it national) separately, and as dance solos for festivals, so not missing out. I don't think you asked that I might have picked up on it from the thread, which I only skim read

Dodo, I'd have said, just looking at the exercises that ISTD, and IDTA all seem to be 'ahead' of RAD by about a grade in terms of the steps and exercises used (think of the grades each does arabesque a terre, pas de chat, assemble etc etc). I guess they must catch up by inter level? And we've had students put in the grade below coming from RAD to ISTD or IDTA.

compare to RAD, not ISTD

I should read the thread first And it's a zombie thread!

Might be a zombie but it's a good thread and good question.....
My DS loves dancing and we moved from the local RAD school (I wasn't impressed with the quality of the instruction) to a much better ISTD school...
Whatever you do... dance, karate etc... it is the quality of the instruction that is important... does the teacher understand how the body moves and how to get the best from their students.

It is a good thread, I love dance talk (I'm on the ballet co forum too), but now I wonder, nearly seven years later, what the OP decided.

pleased no one has mentioned idta!

Now what does that mean? This is a later comment from a few years ago, so the poster may not be around. However, I do find this attitude towards IDTA ballet from some. When asked people (non dance teachers) have said they don't think it is as classical as some syllabi, or is not as advanced.

There are some very good successful IDTA schools, with some equally successful students being produced. With all syllabi it depends on the quality of the teaching I think, personally.

Also, just to point out that there are senior levels in ISTD beyond grade 6.

Agree with others - it doesn't really matter which syllabus (if any) you follow - the most important thing is the quality of the teaching

Another vote for vaganova. My DD does vaganova at a rhythmic school and the level of technique they drill into them early on is amazing.

The only issue I have with vaganova is that it was a syllabus designed with a particular facility in mind. Vsganova itself selects children on physique. So if you don't have 180 turnout etc etc there can be issues.

Hi. Have any ballet-mum's heard of or have experience of The Cecchetti Summer School (Young Dancers), based at Tring Park at the start of the summer hols? Any info gratefully received as my daughter is keen but it's residential ... and quite expensive. Thanks