All About Ballet

[amylqf]

oh, by the way, I have a ballet dress and character shoe to let go, picture below:


http://www.radenterprises.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10_63&products_id=272&zenid=lu647r3t1q9ntj57se64feqtc3

i will create seperate post under 'garage sale'. please contact me if interest.

[twilight]

I never took graded exams because my mum thought it will give me extra pressure, as I’m very prone to stress. Personally, I did say I want to get tested, but my mum thought testing was a very bad idea. I have taken class from many teachers, and none of them insisted that I take exams. They were all fine with me not doing exams, but that being said, they were as strict with me during lessons, demanding the same effort from me as all the others taking exams. My current teacher just said the other day that it’s the training you’ve had that matters, which is not defined by exams and exams only, since she was not trained by RAD method. So if your dd’s teacher is fine with her not doing exams, and you don’t want her to do exams, then it’s ok not doing exams, and if she enjoys ballet, just continue.

[micollh]

so, if i dun go for pre primary is alright for her to advance to primary right? im thinkinf what’s the point to go for grading for pre-primary…

[twilight]

None of the graded exams are compulsory to be taken before you move on to the next level.

[i3mum]

Hi toffee,


I have the same problem as you too! My pair of twins gals born in 2006 (yer end), are doing their Grade 1 too. The teacher also told me that they did not meet the age requirement too, and probably have to go take the Grade 1 exams only the year after? Which means they will do Grade 1 for 2 years? I was quite disappointed... wondering any way to solve this?

toffee:

Hi everyone,

I would like to seek the advice of experienced parents.
My daughter is a 2006 baby so she is turning 6 yo this year.
Her ballet teacher recently handed her a form for coaching class.
She also told her the new requirement by RAD for grade 1 exams is the child must be 7yo as at 1 jan next year (which my daughter will not meet the requirement).

My questions:
1. Can a child go for exams without attending additional coaching class?
The thought of having to send for another class is quite scary lol
2. When I started sending my daughter for ballet at 3yo, it was merely for the fun of it. It was nice to see little girls in leotards prancing around. 3 years flew past so fast and now I am faced with the question of taking exams. But if don't exams, is there any value in continuing?
Actually when I look at my daughter, I'm not sure if she can pass the exam cos she has quite bad posture, slouches and doesn't quite enjoying stretching. don't want to give her and ourselves more stress with additional class / exams (she's taking music and there will also be graded exams eventually!)
But Not sure if I should discontinue ballet lessons totally since my daughter doesn't mind attending the normal class.

Greatly appreciate any advice from parents! Thanks!

[krazy]

i3mum:

I see. It has to be a new rule. Last year, my girl (6 yr old) took the ballet pre primary exam. I asked her teacher if she was ready and the teacher commented that my girl has been dancing under her for so long already and said my girl was ready for the exam even though I was concerned: the other girls in the class were a yr older than my girl was.

i3mum:

Hi toffee,

I have the same problem as you too! My pair of twins gals born in 2006 (yer end), are doing their Grade 1 too. The teacher also told me that they did not meet the age requirement too, and probably have to go take the Grade 1 exams only the year after? Which means they will do Grade 1 for 2 years? I was quite disappointed... wondering any way to solve this?

[i3mum]

Hi krazy,


Thanks for telling me. I will find out with the teacher.

krazy:

i3mum:
I see. It has to be a new rule. Last year, my girl (6 yr old) took the ballet pre primary exam. I asked her teacher if she was ready and the teacher commented that my girl has been dancing under her for so long already and said my girl was ready for the exam even though I was concerned: the other girls in the class were a yr older than my girl was.

[i3mum]

Hi Everyone,


I just found the examinations age entry information from RAD on Page 24, chapter 4.1.2:

http://www.rad.org.uk/files/ART372_20111216%20EIRR%20v4_EN.pdf

4.1.2 For Examinations, Class Awards, Presentation Classes and Solo Performance
Awards, for reasons of safe dance practice, candidates must have achieved the
minimum age by 31 December in the year in which the examination takes place, as follows:
Level - Minimum age
Pre-Primary in Dance - 5
Primary in Dance - 6
Grades 1-5 - 7
Grades 6-8 - 11
Intermediate Foundation - 11
Intermediate - 12
Advanced Foundation - 13
Advanced 1 - 14
Advanced 2 - 15
Solo Seal Award - 15

In this case, I think my twins can take Grade 2 exams in Apr 2014 :?

i3mum:

Hi toffee,

I have the same problem as you too! My pair of twins gals born in 2006 (yer end), are doing their Grade 1 too. The teacher also told me that they did not meet the age requirement too, and probably have to go take the Grade 1 exams only the year after? Which means they will do Grade 1 for 2 years? I was quite disappointed... wondering any way to solve this?

toffee:

Hi everyone,

I would like to seek the advice of experienced parents.
My daughter is a 2006 baby so she is turning 6 yo this year.
Her ballet teacher recently handed her a form for coaching class.
She also told her the new requirement by RAD for grade 1 exams is the child must be 7yo as at 1 jan next year (which my daughter will not meet the requirement).

My questions:
1. Can a child go for exams without attending additional coaching class?
The thought of having to send for another class is quite scary lol
2. When I started sending my daughter for ballet at 3yo, it was merely for the fun of it. It was nice to see little girls in leotards prancing around. 3 years flew past so fast and now I am faced with the question of taking exams. But if don't exams, is there any value in continuing?
Actually when I look at my daughter, I'm not sure if she can pass the exam cos she has quite bad posture, slouches and doesn't quite enjoying stretching. don't want to give her and ourselves more stress with additional class / exams (she's taking music and there will also be graded exams eventually!)
But Not sure if I should discontinue ballet lessons totally since my daughter doesn't mind attending the normal class.

Greatly appreciate any advice from parents! Thanks!

[twilight]

Ask the teacher if it’s possible for them to not do the exams, but still move on to grade 2. I don’t think not being age eligible for exams should be a reason to be held up at grade 1, unless the technic is not there. Most teachers should be fine with students not taking exams. If the teacher or you are so adamant about them doing exams for every grade, then there’s no way around it.

[jo.010813ong]

So long the child meet the minimum age requirement and that the teacher has confirmed the child is ready for the exam… just got for it!