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How does it feel to see his 16-year-old daughter to go to Russia to join a ballet school of the toughest and most prestigious in the world? What is it like being the girl from afar?

Ian Mayes in the UK

Elizabeth was only 16 when he went to Russia. She was 19 in August. For me, it was, in the words of Laurie Lee, "falling", I was 56 when she was born. The two things that people tend to say when they discover that I have a teenage daughter to study ballet in Russia are: "You should be very proud" and "How could you let go"

It is the only girl in English at the Vaganova Ballet Academy in St. Petersburg. The school has close historical relationship with the Mariinsky Ballet Company. Under communism, which was the nursery of the wealth of local talent possessed by the Mariinsky nominal predecessor, the Kirov, and before that it was the Imperial School of Ballet. Isabel likes to be there, I am happy to say that, if not more than 1000 miles from home, would probably not have survived the stringent requirements they do. Is it love or leave it.

Like her mother, I am proud - proud but not aggressive, I hope. Perhaps here, I must say that my mother Isabelle, Ann McGuire, is the person in front.

was a friend of Isabella, director, mentor and support always available, and that's saying a lot since the contact often starts early. St. Petersburg is awakened three hours ahead of Britain. The blessed Skype was crucial to keep out of nostalgia.

often have breakfast with Elizabeth when she has food, the first class of the day and more - and spend an hour together before leaving my office (a converted summer cottage in the garden) in the night. Skype can keep us face to face for hours. I write all cooking, eating, sewing, or spreads. Her cats, Sam and Jack, from time to time to greet their Skype, too.

While the Mariinsky were in London this summer, life seems to revolve around them. Also see almost everything they did, Elisabeth is the class with them a couple of times at the Royal Opera House, and went to several of his essays. When viewing a ballet to be polite in the trial is an important experience shared by Elizabeth and her mother and me, and attend a course in St. Petersburg. This is an opportunity to look inside the world of Elizabeth, and it shows more closely what is your job and why you are so dedicated to this, the concentration of risk.

looking back, it was still a very important decision for her to go to St. Petersburg. The Chief Executive Officer of the Vaganova warned that foreigners do not usually last long. She made her GCSE - the premature end of his formal education - in his final year at White Lodge, the Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park, London, and went out. Only she was only 16 and without a word of the language when she was there for the first time. I admire your courage.

As for "how could I let him go?" How not to let your daughter in the studio without a doubt the best ballet school in the world, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world
Isabella McGUIRE

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