All About Ballet

[xuanting]

Hi Guacamole,


I’m not an expert on the topic but I’d like to share what I know as a dance parent. I think the training method does not matter as much as whether you are able to find a very good teacher for your daughter. At the end of the day, the basics and steps are the same, but the teacher’s insistence on small details can make a world of difference in your daughter’s training.

I guess one difference between the two will be that students attending an RAD school will learn a specific set of exercises and dances for the RAD examinations every year whereas the Vaganova-based school will conduct its own assessment for promotion to the next level.

Vaganova videos on Youtube will not be able to tell you very much about the Vaganova-based local schools you are interested in since Vaganova itself is a full-time boarding school and it only selects students with a very specific ballet physique as well as other characteristics that make them highly suitable to train in the Vaganova method. It has no affiliations to schools anywhere.

In terms of opportunities to pursue a higher education in ballet, I think all such schools require an audition, whether in person or via video recording, so back to quality training again with little regard for which syllabi the applicant is trained in.

As for scholarship opportunities, dance competitions seem to be the way to go. Dance competitions normally offer a wide range of scholarships/apprenticeships to winning/selected candidates. These can be long term or short term (one/two weeks, summer intensive etc). The more prestigious the competition, the more highly sought after the scholarships/apprenticeships are.

If you haven’t already settled on a school, I’d suggest taking your daughter for trial classes to experience the learning environment in some of your short-listed schools. Hope this helps. All the best to your school-hunting!

[Guacamole]

Thanks a lot Xuanting!


I googled some ballet forums and apparently Vaganova curriculum itself starts only for 10 yr old and older dancers. Before that the classes are for building basics and pre-conditioning to prepare the students for the real Vaganova.

I guess since my knowledge is limited, probably it’s best to stick with RAD. As you were saying it’s indeed easier to find youtube videos for my child to learn from.

Any of your children here going to smaller school? DD is currently joining this school with many branches across the island and I’m thinking to move her to a smaller school (personal preference). 2 names that looks promising are Palais Dance and Young Dancer Academy in Ghim Moh. Anyone’s got any experience there?

[sky minecrafter]

-

[micollh]

I grade 3/4 harder to get merit ? Dd got only a pass for gr3 rad…

[FantasyLandDreams]

micollh:

I grade 3/4 harder to get merit ? Dd got only a pass for gr3 rad...

Not sure if you are asking a question. For grades 3 and 4, merit was the majority in dd class out of ten students, usually only 2 distinction and 1 pass, the rest all merit so far. Just sharing.

[micollh]

FantasyLandDreams:

micollh:

I grade 3/4 harder to get merit ? Dd got only a pass for gr3 rad...

Not sure if you are asking a question. For grades 3 and 4, merit was the majority in dd class out of ten students, usually only 2 distinction and 1 pass, the rest all merit so far. Just sharing.

Mind sharing which school. As my gal school teacher said it's normal to get a pass at this grade.. I feel that it's not encouraging the kids to do better..

[Essential]

Anyone here needs ballet shoe/ character shoe or character skit, please pm me .

[sky minecrafter]

micollh:

FantasyLandDreams:

...For grades 3 and 4, merit was the majority in dd class out of ten students, usually only 2 distinction and 1 pass, the rest all merit so far. Just sharing.

Mind sharing which school. As my gal school teacher said it's normal to get a pass at this grade.. I feel that it's not encouraging the kids to do better..

Agree - could consider changing school.

[balletobsessed]

Hi, is your daughter still attending classes at the Le Grand Dance School, how does she find it? Considering sending my daughter there too. Around how much are the classes and did you have to buy the leotards and all by yourself?

[balletobsessed]

Hi, is your daughter still attending classes at the Le Grand Dance School, how does she find it? Considering sending my daughter there too. Around how much are the classes and did you have to buy the leotards and all by yourself?