Ballet Talk?

[Anonymous]

Different topic - where do you all shop for dance gear? We used to go to Robcyn's in Alexandria but they sadly closed. That leaves online shopping which can be tricky especially for shoes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different topic - where do you all shop for dance gear? We used to go to Robcyn's in Alexandria but they sadly closed. That leaves online shopping which can be tricky especially for shoes!

Usually default to Liesl's in Woodbridge for pointe shoes and most other things, or Cinnamon Tree in Herndon as a backup. Still do quite a bit of online shopping especially for things like tights and leotards where we already know the sizing.

[Anonymous]

I wish there was another dance shop around here! Also sad about Robcyn's!

[Anonymous]

Joining in the chorus of needing a shop in DC or close in MoCo. I remember when Ballet Petite had a shop at Sangamore, when TWSB had a shop in their main building, and when Footlights had a store in Silver Spring. It's really not great to have to trek 45 minutes to an hour each way to buy pointe shoes...

[Anonymous]

Yes!!! Liesl's is really nice but sooooo far away from us. Maybe the profit just isn't there for someone to open / keep open such a shop in a higher cost area.

[Anonymous]

Liesl for pointe shoes and online for everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be VERY careful about studios that go to multiple competitions a year. We were at one such and the students got very little technique training due to most class time being devoted to rehearsals. In addition, it can set up a culture of competition and back-stabbing between the students, even if they look like "friends". In our experience with a "professional training program" several of the students developed eating disorders. Due to the acceptance of ED as "part of the package", and the intense "training schedule", none of the students were treated for it. After we left such a studio, and my child went through therapy and was not afraid to talk, I learned a lot of disturbing things about their practices. In hindsight, I would be VERY careful about competition focused and professional training studios.

+1. Our studio has a company and that company does only a couple of competitions per year (non ballet) just to give students a taste of it. It’s plenty for me. The only thing seems so off TBH.

[Anonymous]

Anyone doing SI's this summer? We are going Boston!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone doing SI's this summer? We are going Boston!

Oooh, I've known of a few dancers from DC's studio that have gone there. Hope your dancer loves it!

[Anonymous]

DP, mine too is headed to Boston!

[Anonymous]

I think Boston runs more than one location, correct? I may look into that for DC for next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think Boston runs more than one location, correct? I may look into that for DC for next year.

Yes, it's a fairly large program. My understanding is that the location is mostly determined by age (older kids in Boston, younger ones in Newton).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. Glad to see this thread. I agree that there should be a dance forum. How lovely that dance falls under "playgroups," etc here.

I am looking for a new studio in NOVA for DD that doesn't so overtly play favorites and can actually mentor the kids versus pack them in a crowded room for every technique class and expect growth. Sigh.

I am sad to hear about Berrend. I can't imagine.

I’ll put in a plug for BalletNova if you’re close to Arlington / Falls Church. The class sizes are reasonable and my dancer’s had a good experience there. They have some summer intensives if your DD wanted to try it out for a week!

My dd had a great experience at metropolitan in Kingstown. I was sad when she quit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think Boston runs more than one location, correct? I may look into that for DC for next year.

Yes, it's a fairly large program. My understanding is that the location is mostly determined by age (older kids in Boston, younger ones in Newton).

This - Several programs do this - you audition and they decided after the audition which site to place you at

[Anonymous]

Yeah I know ABT has multiple sites too, including in FL.