It was during my daughter’s Grade 2 ballet exam that the teacher came to us four mums with a proposal.
There are nine or 10 girls in their ballet class, but only four did the exam. Of the others, some are too new and therefore too far behind for exams and others just don’t like exams. They all move on together as a class, but the four girls who did the exam were edging away from the others. For a start, they’re the most talented dancers in the class anyway. But, with the extra lessons they get when they do an exam, they were getting better and better.
The teacher wondered if, as well as starting their own Grade 3 syllabus with the whole class, the girls would like to attend another Grade 3 class. This would be with girls a year older, who will be doing their Grade 3 exam in the autumn.
Apparently, these girls aren’t as talented on the whole as my daughter and her three classmates. The teacher feels she doesn’t want our girls to get left behind with their own classmates and, by doing two lessons a week and working with the older girls, she could fast-track them through Grade 3 and they could then start Grade 4 with the older girls.
The teacher had vaguely mentioned doing the other lesson to us a few weeks ago, but I didn’t really understand why. Now I get it and it makes perfect sense. I had been slightly concerned too that my daughter was getting a bit left behind and could be further on than she was. This was the perfect opportunity for her to get ahead!
The other mums could see a lot of sense in the proposal too, apart from the usual concerns about logistics and juggling other hobbies and other children.
The teacher won’t guarantee that they can do their Grade 3 exam with the older girls in the autumn, but it is a definite possibility. Knowing my daughter as I do, knowing her talent and her hard work and dedication, I’d be willing to put money on my daughter doing her Grade 3 this year.
March 21, 2016
That sounds amazing, I hope it works out. She is so committed to her dance, it is lovely to hear about it.
March 22, 2016
Thanks very much! I’m pretty sure it will work out as she’s so dedicated. Watch this space!
March 21, 2016
Oh that’s amazing! Well done her, you must be so proud. She really does sound like a wonderful dancer, I hope she continues to enjoy it for many years to come.
Natalie.x
March 22, 2016
Thank you! I am really proud. She loves it so much, so I really hope she carries on dancing for a very long time! x
March 22, 2016
It sounds like she might be thrilled with doing Grade 3 and I bet she will breeze through it all!
March 22, 2016
Thanks very much, I’m sure she will! I had a sneaky peek at them today and I was very impressed!
March 27, 2016
It’s great that the teacher’s willing to look at alternatives. We had similar in ours that I was a lot younger when I moved house and to a new dance school, and we got pushed on quite fast in our grade. But then it slowed when 2 new girls started who were new to ballet, and it felt like we were being held back for them to catch up. Thankfully, I was younger than the others so didn’t impact me as much but good that there’s the opportunity to stretch your daughters and her peers.
April 1, 2016
That must have been frustrated to be held back by the new class members. Our teacher told me a while ago that she’s always focused on the weaker members of the class, but has recently been starting to focus on the stronger ones, which is great news for my daughter! Ultimately, it’s going to be the stronger ones that keep dancing right through their teens, so they deserve to be supported and challenged.
March 31, 2016
How fantastic that she has a dedicated teacher who really believes in her. She must be super talented. You have every right to feel proud. I danced when I was young and it is such a fantastic hobby to have.
April 1, 2016
Thanks very much, it really is a fantastic hobby to have! My daughter is quite breathtaking to watch. I know I’m biased, but other parents and strangers tell me how good she is too!
March 31, 2016
Well done your daughter….She sounds like an amazing dancer.
What a wonderful teacher…
Good luck x
March 31, 2016
How wonderful, fingers crossed for her. Reading your posts I’m sure she can achieve anything she puts her mind to x
April 1, 2016
Sounds like a brilliant opportunity for her, I’m sure she’ll make great progress. #SSAmazingAchievements
April 5, 2016
What a fantastic opportunity for her and it’s great that she has a teacher who is willing to explore possibilities with the group.
Look forward to reading more and thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements
April 5, 2016
That’s amazing, you really do have a little ballet star there. I’m sure I will be reading about the grade 3 before the year is out ;0) #SSAmazingAchievements
April 5, 2016
Having now watched one of her Grade 3 classes, I don’t doubt it for a moment!