Hi everyone! I started this blog to encourage teens and adults to start ballet. So many girls who want to try ballet think they are too old. The truth is, as long as you can walk, you can dance. It is true that professional ballet is very competitive, and a late beginner has a very slim chance of making it big in the ballet world, but that shouldn't stop you from dancing purely for fun! I will be updating from time to time about my personal experiences with ballet as a teen, so please check back every few weeks.
About me: I am a teen girl who started ballet in 2010 at age 14. Ballet seemed so beautiful and amazing, and I wanted to try more than anything in the world. I spent months deciding whether or not I should start, because most girls start ballet at such a young age. Eventually I signed up for a teen beginner class, and loved it. In September, 2011, I started taking classes at a larger ballet school. I currently take two 90 minute classes there, in addition to the 45 minute teen class at my first studio. The new ballet school is great, and although I dance with girls ages 8-11, I have a lot of fun.
**I am not a professional dancer, nor will I ever be one. Therefor, I will not give instruction on techniques. I will be sharing my experiences and thoughts on starting ballet as a teen.**
Please comment! I'd love to hear about your experiences with ballet, and your opinions on the blog! If you have any questions just ask, I'll answer as well as I can.
Edit: Hello! Since writing this post, I have stopped taking ballet classes at my first studio and now take one 90 minute and one 2 hour class a week at the larger ballet academy. I am 16, and take class with girls 11-15. I started pointe in the summer of 2012, and love it! And I've also played a soldier in two Nutcrackers.
Hi my name is Zaria and I'm 12 and I really want to learn ballet but my mom says I'm too old to start, you are truly inspiring, but is there a way I can be a successful ballerina at home?
ReplyDeleteOh wow, thank you so much! It's unfortunate that your mom isn't too keen on the idea of you starting ballet, maybe telling her other girls (like me!) start ballet for fun at 14, 15, 16, and even adults do too.
DeleteIt's pretty important to take ballet classes because some ballet stretches and combinations can cause you harm if you don't have a teacher to help you. You might be able to find beginner ballet combinations on youtube you can try out, but I wouldn't advise it. Either way, be careful!
I'm currently 16 and have such an interest in ballet. Ever since I was little I would do little twirls and such and pretend like it were real. I want to join a ballet as a beginner but am afraid that I'd be way too old.
ReplyDeleteYou aren't too old! I know girls that started at 16, 17, 18 and up! Go for it!
DeleteHi, I'm 14 years old and I really want to start ballet, but I'm nervous about asking my parents. Do you have any suggestions for helping to convince them that it's not to late for me to start? For fun of course! :)
ReplyDeleteHey! I would just say something like, "I really want to start a new hobby, I think ballet would be a lot of fun." I already picked out a few possible studios and pulled the webpages up on the family computer and told my dad to look at them when he had time and see what he thought. If they think it's too late, you can show them a bunch of studios offer teen and adult beginner classes, or just show them all the late starters on this blog! Good luck, keep me posted!
DeleteThanks! My friend dances at the studio I'm looking at, so I've been researching times and prices. Your blog has inspired me so much! I just want to say thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It always makes me so happy when someone says I've inspired them to try out ballet, it genuinely makes my day. Good luck, and leave a comment when you start classes!
DeleteI'm 12 , almost 13 and really want to start ballet! I was a competitive Irish dancer for 5 years so i have some dance experience i guess , even though ballet and Irish are pretty different . Any advice for me starting ballet kind of Late?
ReplyDeleteAwesome! You should try it, it's so much fun. My biggest piece of advice would be to not get discouraged at first. My first month of ballet was the hardest, and I felt like I would never be good. But here I am, 2 years later and en pointe! So don't give up, relax, and have fun!
DeleteIm 15 and i really want to start ballet but i dont want to be around a bunch of little girls. I really wish someone would get the idea to start beginner teen ballet
ReplyDeleteTry looking around some more at local dance studios! Most already have a teen or adult beginner class, sometimes you have to look pretty hard though.
DeleteCheck local places first, and then if there are any cities near you check out their classes too! I'm sure you'll find a place that works! Even if you don't, maybe you can take a few classes with girls who are a bit younger, like 11 or 12. It's not too big of an age gap, I've adjusted to it pretty well!
Its true, I am part of a local teenage ballet class you have to practice at home on top of course but yeah its great!
Deletehello, i really want to do ballet and ive been wanting to do it for a while now again. i gave up when i was a child but now im scared that i havent got the body type to be a ballet dancer or im not pretty enough.. im 14 too.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to do it, do it! Ballet dancers don't have to be perfectly skinny and look like models, in fact, Maria Kochetkova said herself (I'm paraphrasing) that ballet isn't a modeling business, it's about passion.
DeleteVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmRpNwb0NZ0
Hi I am only 12, and I would really like to start up ballet. The only problem is I can't find any classes in my age range!! Is it possible for me to teach myself? I really just want it as a hobby. I'm not really athletic either.
ReplyDeleteHey there! I would NOT recommend teaching yourself. It can result in injuries, and it's difficult to learn without a teacher with you to correct you. I would call some local studios and tell them you're 12 and would like to try ballet. Ask what class they'd recommend, and if you can take a class to try it out.
Delete12 is a great age! You can take classes with girls a little younger, like 9 and 10, or older teenagers, and still fit in either way. So try some classes, and pick what you like the best! It's so much fun, don't let age stop you!
Hey, I'm 16 so a little older than a lot of the commenters here, I just wanted give my little story:
ReplyDeleteSo ballet has been my passion all my life, the music, the community, the beauty and skill.I could never afford lessons when I was younger and at sixteen I had a lot of issues going down my life felt empty and without meaning, in fact I had no idea who i was which wasn't great. Finally being at an age I could get a job in the UK i decided it was time to fulfill my dreams, at first I was scared mainly of failure. But when I started I found so much peace in myself, I obviously can never go pro nor do I have to. Just making it a part of your life as something you love makes it a part of who you are.
Please don't use age as an excuse not to start, because it can completely turn your life around and is generally great fun!!!
If you want something bad enough, the human mind and body is capable of anything!
(This blog is a great idea by the way)
Great story, I agree 100%. Ballet gave me a "thing", you know, my oldest sister was the singer, and my other sister was the athlete, and I was never apart of a community like that until I found dance. Now I couldn't be happier :)
DeleteDo you know any places that do private ballet classes for a 13 year old? I live near liverpool and southport, but I can't find anywhere at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Chedda
xxx
Hi! I'm actually from the USA, so I have no idea. Try to call up local studios and ask, most studios that have ballet classes will also offer privates. If you're beginning, you may want to start in a teen or adult beginner class, because privates can be pricey and they aren't really "worth it" for a beginner. Sort of like getting a private teacher for a kindergartner.
DeleteHi, i'm a 14 years old girl and i'm really interesting to learn ballet (for fun), my mom say that i can't do it because i had to start from childhood, and i want to convinced her that is not to late to start, i want more information about this website. thanks
ReplyDeleteHello! Well, if you look through the blog you should find everything you need! I started ballet at 14, and am now 16, en pointe, and have preformed in two recitals. I am not a brilliant dancer, but I'm ok and I really enjoy it.
DeleteBallet isn't just for little kids, teens and adults can dance too! Maybe show your mom the blog to help convince her?
Hi, I'm 15 and I'd love to learn ballet. But I'm a curvy girl with ass. Is that a problem?
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely not a problem! Many recreational ballet dancers are curvy girls, and some even say Misty Copeland is too! Go for it!
Deletehey
ReplyDeletei am nearly 13 and i really want to do ballet its so cool but my mum wont take me seriously but i am only good at sports and not much else and i really want to do it but my mum says its to much money what should i do because i am to young to get a saturday job
Hi I'm 14 and I'd love to start ballet again. I did it for a few years when I was young and was pretty good at it, but I never took it seriously and eventually quit. People have told me I look like a ballerina and I just think it's such a beautiful thing to do. I don't know if I'd want to compete, but I have no idea where to start. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI want to start ballet, but I'm not flexible at all. I'm also 13. Can I start??
ReplyDeleteHiya I'm 15 and dying to do ballet i did it when obese younger but stopped after 4years I really want to do it but I don't know where to go my parents are supportive but insist that itis in London . do you know anywhere?
ReplyDeleteHi I'm 17 and I'm really interested in starting ballet.could you give me advice on what types of exercises and training that I will need.I also no that ballerinas have to be skinny so do you no what I should do in order to prepare for this?
ReplyDeleteHi! I am 14 years old and starting a beginner teen ballet class in the fall. I am not too sure what to wear to my first class and the school doesn't have a dress code for teen beginners on their site.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jim and have a Ballet Academy in South Texas. We have people starting all the time from ages 3 - 60. No most will not be professional dancers but Ballet is great for your Body and soul.
ReplyDeleteHey!
ReplyDeleteIdk if its a little late for commenting, but im gonna do it anyway.
I live in the Dominican. Here its hard to find a cheap ballet school, it doesnt matter if its bad or good. They're expensive.
Since I was a little girl I've always dreamed woth being a ballerina, but my parent naver had the resources to make it.
Ballet is my passion (so its writting and percussion), well, dancing in general.
Last year I started ballet thanks for this comunity Art House School in my town. Im the oldest in my group, but acording to my teacher, Im the best one. Every time she takes me as an example I can't help but smile.
Reading throught the comments here, I read something that really touched me : "Dont use age as an excuse" and its true. The auditioning day I was about to leave telling myself that Im gonna make ridicoulous in front of everyone there, I was the oldest, my weight wasn't the perfect one, Im no delicate and a buche of other things that made me feel worthless.
But those are excuses. When you really want something you'll do anything to make it, no matter what.
hi im nikka. im 16 years old and i live in philippines. Ballet is the most beautiful and graceful dance of all. im a teenager who have a great dream to become a ballerina. my mom doesn't have enough money for paying me in a ballet school. but i want to pursue my dreams and this is only my passion. i search for a scholarships programs for those beginners that don't have enough financial to pay but it's very hard to find. can you pls help pursue my dreams or just comment me the schools who are offering scholarships? please :)
ReplyDeleteHi I'm 13 I have just read your blog I now its a bit late. I love it started when I was 5 an I think every one should give it a go a want to become a porfecinal ballet dancer do you now where I could train when I am older
ReplyDeleteLove
Dancer Girl
danceblogsbyme.blogspot.com
Hi! I'm also a late starter, I'm turning 14 next month and just started ballet last week! It's super fun and I'd love to get en pointe, so I really wish that I could take more classes a week. My plan is to do a ton of ballet over the summer. Do you know of any good places in or near NY/NJ to do ballet over the summer?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
P.S. - I also have a blog, https://latestartballet.wordpress.com
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ReplyDeleteGreat Blog. I hope your post will definitely help us out. Thanks for posting a blog of Teenage beginner dance classes near me, which is informative.
ReplyDelete