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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Wish us luck - my DDs ballet exam!

28 replies

bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 08:22

Tomorrow my DD takes her intermediate foundation exam.

As a toddler she had a speech development delay, didn't say her first word until 3 and a half, and speech was difficult. She had SALT for several years, but her difficulties affected her confidence at school and she was very shy.
At the age of 5 I took her to ballet classes, hoping that dance would be a way of improving her confidence without focussing on her speech.

Did it work- and then some!! Nine years down the line, she dances 10 hours a week, has passed many ballet, tap, modern exams. I have seen her dance in packed theatres- sometimes solo, and I can't believe that this timid nervous little girl has blossomed into a confident, caring elegant young women.

Sorry for the outrageous boast, but so proud of my little girl. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

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Shedding · 01/03/2015 08:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 08:27

Thanks shedding X

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Tinofroses · 01/03/2015 08:29

Ah best of luck. I loved when mine did ballet but they didn't keep it up.

Ledkr · 01/03/2015 08:30

Dance did that for me and two of my dc. Dd2 is partially deaf and still excels at dance.
So good luck to your girl today and for the future too x

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 08:36

Thanks Tino- Ledkr- great to hear about your DDs. I didn't dance as a child so it has been quite a revelation to see the benefits.

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letch · 01/03/2015 10:53

Ah, best of luck to your DD. Hope she gets a great result!

caker · 01/03/2015 11:11

All the best to her! Hope she can channel Darcey Bussell. It's a very technical exam but the examiners still love to see performance.

nonicknameseemsavailable · 01/03/2015 12:08

how lovely - I think sticking with ballet for so long is an achievement in itself, it is a hard sport/art (I think of it as both sport and art) and requires a lot of skill and hard work just to do it let alone to pass exams. I hope it goes well for her and that she enjoys it too.

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 13:25

Thanks for all your kind words X

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morethanpotatoprints · 01/03/2015 13:30

Ah, what a lovely story good luck to little bigbluestars

KatyMac · 01/03/2015 13:30

How lovely - I'm having a proud mummy moment too this weekend - so enjoy your Proud Mummy moment

Which board is she taking? Does she want to continue vocationally?

DD is Cechetti (sure that is spelt wrong)

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 13:42

katy- enjoy your proud mummy moment too X

She does ISTD ( grade 6), but the Inter Foundation is RAD.
I don't think she wants to continue vocationally, ( her mind is set on nursing), but will continue dancing until she is 18 or so.

It has just been such a good thing for her on so many levels, the work has been tremendous, but I see the skills she has learned along the way are serving her well in other areas too.

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KatyMac · 01/03/2015 13:47

I'd agree on transferable skills - DD started under 4 years ago (ISTD) & last summer she worked backstage at a Theatre

A performer made a request to DD who was wearing headphones, the reply from the box was 'tell him to sod off' which she relayed at "unfortunately at this time that isn't operationally possible" which had the guys in the box rofl literally

If she goes to Uni she should be able to carry on there (in one form or another)

Good luck to her!

Ledkr · 01/03/2015 14:26

It's hard work tho isn't it?
Dd1 had a private at 10 then dd2 a show rehearsal at 12.
Not conjusive to a relaxing Sunday!
We had roast doughnuts for Sunday lunch Grin

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 14:47

It is hard work- we are just back from a Sunday morning rehearsal- she is a little nervous, but feeling that she has worked hard over the past few months, so looking forward to the challenge.

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Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 14:48

katy- interesting to hear.

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KatyMac · 01/03/2015 15:00

There are a LOT of articles in the stage (look on FB) about how versatile ex-performers are; I was shocked

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 15:12

I think she has learned a lot of life skills too, how hard work pays off, how to handle her pre exam nerves, how to work well in a team, how to take criticism positively.

An interesting article here:

silver-fish.hubpages.com/hub/benefits-of-dancing-for-children

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KatyMac · 01/03/2015 15:23

I'd agree with all that

Dd is off to college a capable rounded young person - it is exciting & terrifying seeing them grow up

Original poster
bigbluestars · 01/03/2015 15:30

That's lovely Katy. It's a good feeling that we must have done something right.
We just need a bit of courage at this stage to watch them fly.
I also have a 17 yo son who is planning a gap year in N Zealand before giong off to University. I am scared and I will miss him, but he is such a well rounded individual that I am very happy for him.

It's good to be proud of our kids- and good to let them know too. X

( PS it's the unspoken secret that we Mums of teenagers have- the teenage years are the best. Teenagers get such a bad press, and I was bracing myself for an awful time, but is has been just wonderful.)

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KatyMac · 01/03/2015 16:50

Gosh what is he up to

Teens have been difficult for us - financially, healthwise & timewise but I know what you mean

Rugbylovingmum · 01/03/2015 20:45

Best of luck for her! Hope it all goes well and she gets a great result.

My dd is taking her very first ballet exam next week. I have worried that she is too young - she is only 5 and very anxious to please/do the right thing. She really wanted to give it a go though and her teacher said that she was ready. I'm really hoping it goes well for her - I was an anxious child too and really struggled to cope with with my school exams so I think any positive exam experiences have to be good.

I've already seen her become more confident and willing to try new things since starting the class. It's great to hear how much your DDs have gotten out of dancing.

Fleurdelise · 01/03/2015 22:09

What a lovely story! Good luck!

Original poster
bigbluestars · 02/03/2015 06:54

Rugbylovingmum- I will be thinking of you and your DD this week- it snaps me right bacj to when my DD took her first ballet exam at the age of 5.
It is a huge challenge especially being so young, but examiners are human and caring- it is almost unheard of to have a child at this stage fail an exam-at but the sense of achievement at gaining a grade and being awarded a certificate is immense. It is very empowering for a child to have worked hard and their efforts recognised, so although it seems scary and a big challenge your DD will be enriched by the process.

My DD has to go to school for an hour first this morning as she has to give a presentation to 300 other pupils on some charity work she has been doing for an Alzheimers group. There are 4 groups within the school competing for a £3000 donation for their charity.
After her presentation she has to sneak off the stage to rush around to reception where I will pick her up to take her to the studios for her exam.

I hardly recognise that little 5 year old who stumbled over her words, so shy and nervous, but now thinks nothing of talking in front of a packed assembly room. Her only concern is that she will be talking with "ballet hair" as she has to have her scraped back gelled up perfect ballet bun in place.

Fingers crossed for today.

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Rugbylovingmum · 02/03/2015 12:00

Wow, what a morning! I really hope her presentation went well and fingers crossed for her exam. You must be so proud of her.