Dance schools recommendation midlands

[Trickybottom]

Hi my daughters 13 and been dancing since she was 3, she's one of the top achievers for her age at her local dance school. We feel though that it's time to move on, she wants to dance as a career and need to move to a school that will help her achieve this where are local one is not really offering or guiding her in any way. We are in the midlands so was looking for recommendations, she does all aspects of dance.

What sort of career is she thinking of - classical ballet, contemporary, musical theatre or commercial dance (or something else, like teaching)? At her age, she probably needs to start specialising in a few genres really.

Her strengths are modern and tap rather than ballet, mind you she lives lyrical too

Are you anywhere near Leicester? DuPont is the most amazing school you could wish for.

Where does she want to train ultimately - somewhere like a performing arts college at 16/18? If so, it might help if she sings as well, as she would be more likely to get accepted, the competition for places is incredibly stiff.

Maybe try and find a school that does jazz classes as well as tap and modern (and she will need to keep up her ballet too as all auditions for vocational training will start with a ballet class).

Don't know the Midlands area, but you could look into workshops and short courses at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire , which is one of the top vocational training schools in the country.

In the spring you could visit the annual Move It exhibition in London, it is usually in March, which will open her eyes to all the training options available to her after GCSE's (and you can find out about funding as well).

Dupont looks amazing...

The midlands covers a wide area. You may be prepared to travel but you do have to factor in getting to class in time from school.

Is she part of any associate schemes?

www.dancexchange.org.uk/programmes/centre-for-advanced-dance-training/

If she likes contemporary dance this offers an amazing opportunity. I know a number of youngsters who have been involved and progressed to professional careers. It's not easy to get in.

The Birmingham CAT is excellent.

I'd also recommend Olivia Pickfords ballet classes on a Friday night at DanceXchange

Perhaps you need to concentrate your search on schools which will offer the best training in the particular career your dc is interested in.