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Original poster

Ballet exams - new kit or are we being fleeced ?

29 replies

LIZS · 25/05/2007 20:20

Had a note today that for dd's first ballet exam at end of June she needs new satin shoes and matching socks. Is this standard ? Half of me realises that dd could use new shoes anyway as I can't believe they fit but the cynic in me wonders if it is really necessary and resents being told what to do when ! Do they get extra marks for it or something , lol. She's 5 btw !!

OP posts:
Ceolas · 25/05/2007 20:24

They will lose marks if their shoes are grubby, AFAIK. We've had this advice too.

I have a pair of size 13s for sale if they'd be any good. Brand new, £5 delivered.

Original poster
LIZS · 25/05/2007 20:27

That's what I suspected. Thank you anyway but she's tiny , 8 1/2 ish ! She's also got to have her hair slicked back (no fringe) and up in a bun - the teacher can try that one cos I have not a clue.

OP posts:
Ceolas · 25/05/2007 20:29

I think ballet exams are much more strict than any other sort.

Last time we had to get there an hour early for the regulation hairdo!

spudmasher · 25/05/2007 20:29

Like the rest of us ballet mums, you probably do not want your daughter to be a ballerina.....however, she has probably worked hard towards her exam and is very proud of what she has achieved. Therefore, I would feel that buying the new shoes would make her feel as though you valued her hard work and commitment.
Get them. She will feel like a prima ballerina for her exam. Dreams come true.

Tamum · 25/05/2007 20:31

Dd has being doing ballet exams for about 5 years and has never had to have satin shoes. I remember I had to when I was a child though- I wonder if it's different boards or something?

Original poster
LIZS · 25/05/2007 20:32

pmsl spudmasher , she does try hard bless her ! Of course we'll pay , we've come this far after all , but just wondered ... [sigh]

OP posts:
crunchie · 25/05/2007 20:33

I can do the bun thing, I had to do 20 or 30 little girls the other week. A tip from a 'real' ballerina with curly hair. Get firm hold gel and slick it back until wet. Pull into a tight ponytail using a comb to make it smooth. Then spray spray spray. Twist into a bun and secure using those open type bun pins. Add a hairnet for neatness and secure with more pins, then s[ray spray spray again!!

spudmasher · 25/05/2007 20:35

Ahhhh! Good luck to her. They get so much praise when they do an exam- a well done from the teacher, a well done from mum and dad, a well done from all at school when they take in the certificate to show the class....good for the self esteem...

Ceolas · 25/05/2007 20:36

Eewww, crunchie. That's what I hate most about the whole dancing scene.

The spray!

PandaG · 25/05/2007 20:37

DD jjust did her first ballet exam. New shoes and socks were not a requirement, and neither was a bun. All the little girls had bunches with ribbons to match their leotards. I think that the teacher can make the decision on how she wants the hair, and DD's teacher went for tidy but cute for tinies (3-5 yos)

friendlyedjit · 25/05/2007 20:40

cruchie- cough cough- hair spray!
my bun technique is improving albeit slowly, but I get very stressed with "the bun"!!
I didn't want to buy new ballet shoes for dd's last exam- and used baby wipes on them- spent a saturday night rubbing them gently and I wishi could say they came up like new- but they really were fine!

spudmasher · 25/05/2007 20:42

She looked great Edjit!!! Results are in apparently....

friendlyedjit · 25/05/2007 20:43

Are they? Any news????!!!! I'm so excited- sounds like a song title

friendlyedjit · 25/05/2007 20:45

Have fingers tightly crossed that dd2 didn't do the Mr Bean version of the "dance" and has done well etc.... as she needs to feel good about it! and not just a follower of dd1!

spudmasher · 25/05/2007 20:49

LOL!Snap. We will see tomorrow morning. Bless 'em. All we want is the certificate. Surely they would get a certificate for just going into the room looking sweet?? I have a feeling that's all dd2 did....
I've paid £11.95 for that....we had better get a bloody certificate!!!

friendlyedjit · 25/05/2007 20:51

GIVE ME THE CERTIFICATE!!!! They get marks for this one though don't they??? Jany mackers feel like I've now done a bleedin exam! Never mind the bun stress. now have certificate stress-

spudmasher · 25/05/2007 20:54

I am liking the sound of PandaG's dancing school..............

RosaLuxembourg · 25/05/2007 21:01

They are very strict at my DDs' ballet school. Regulation socks, right colour leotard, jewellery completely banned even the tiniest studs and hair in tight buns. But they do love it.

crunchie · 25/05/2007 21:03

The 3 - 5 fine keep them neat. DD1 will be doing stage 1 next year and is 8 already, so I have no issue with perfect for the exam

Original poster
LIZS · 25/05/2007 21:03

oh I am so not a Ballet Mummy. I can't even manage plaits She has fine flyaway hair btw and a sensitive scalp (complete with cradle cap), recommendations for "gentle" hairspray please !

OP posts:
crunchie · 25/05/2007 21:15

ah looking at the RAD websirte (royal academy of dane) grade 1 is 7 and above, so that would about right, she started late.

crunchie · 25/05/2007 21:15

lizs ellnett firm hold Spray shouldn't be a problem tbh, take them home and wash it well

DumbledoresGirl · 25/05/2007 21:17

Yes this is depressingly familiar. I had to buy new shoes and new socks and then, as dh allowed the wrong size socks to be given to him on the day of the exam, I then had to buy another pair the next week to fit her.
I have a once only worn pair of pink socks sized up to 12 if you want them....

NuttyMuffins · 25/05/2007 21:18

Wet her hair before you put it in a bun, then you should only need a bit of hairspray. If you try and do it when her hair is dry you'll be there forever.

DumbledoresGirl · 25/05/2007 21:18

Dd has to have her hair in a bun every week and I do a rough job of one but for her exam, they had to turn up an hour early and someone did their hair for them. I have to say, it was an absolute work of art.