Hi, thanks for taking time to check out my blog. I started this blog in October of 2011, about a year after taking my first ballet class. I began ballet at age 14 in a small competition studio. I took one class a week for 45 minutes with other teenage beginners, and I absolutely loved it.
After a year, one class wasn't enough ballet for me. I loved dancing, and wanted to eventually start pointe, so I looked into other local studios. I found a ballet academy that seemed very professional, and offered many dance opportunities in dance festivals, parades, performances, and the yearly show, The Nutcracker. I took an open class in late August 2011, and was placed in Ballet 3 with girls around the ages of 9-11. (The academy is NOT a pre-professional school.) By this point, I was 15, and I took two academy classes a week in addition to my teen beginner class once a week.
After about 8 months with the academy I took a pointe evaluation and auditioned for the academy's Jr. Company. I was accepted into both, but was not able to join the company for financial reasons. I did, however, keep dancing at the academy.
I am going into my 4th season of dancing, and am still taking ballet and pointe classes. I will not be able to join the company due to costs (over $1000 a year in addition to $2500 in tuition). This upcoming season has many new exciting opportunities including a new fall show, Alice in Wonderland, and a different Nutcracker that will take place at a new venue with new costumes and different choreography.
I created this blog because I wanted other late starters to be encouraged to start ballet. I also wanted to let late starters know what ballet classes are like so they know what to expect. I am so thankful for every single view, member, and comment I get.
I'm a late starter, too! Except...my story is a bit different. Mind if I tell it?
ReplyDeleteSince I was 5, my mom and I would go see a ballet performed by the local professional company every year. One ballet when I was 11, I turned to my mom and said, "I want to take ballet." I was convinced she'd say no. Although she was surprised, she said yes! So after the show, we looked into a summer class by the pre-professional school partnered with the company we always see dance.
I took the class. It was for 5-9-year-olds, but I loved it! I made a new friend; she was 9 but was very mature. We were good friends because she was embarrased by her height--almost 6 feet--and I was embarrased by my age.
So, that school year, I continued taking rhe beginning ballet class, even though I don't really think I needed it. xD It was REALLY simple stuff.
After that year, I got invited to join Level 1, one of the more serious classes! I was skiping a level: Level 1-B, which most people go to, but I didn't!
But, I hated that Level 1 class. It was too easy and my only "friend" would NOT stop talking, and even though I ignored her, we both got in trouble. Finally, after 3 classes, my teacher called and told me I could move to Level 2!
I liked that class SO MUCH BETTER! :D It was challenging and I learned a TON! Plus, I made TONS of great friends. Only problem was...every year, students can perform with the company in 10+ shows of rhe Nutcracker. Level 2 is the only level where every person who auditions gets in; every other level, about 1/4 get in. AND...my mom forgot to sign me up. So I didn't get to do it...
Well, it's okay now because I passed Level 2 and am moving on to Level 3!!! :D I will get to take character, ballet, Pointe, AND jazz classes...I'm so excited! I will get to go to ballet 3 days a week, 2 hours each!!! :D
The Pointe {pun intended xD} of that long story is...DON'T GIVE UP! I am 14 and I'm in a class with 9-12-year-olds but I am taking 3 styles of dance, I'm dancing on Pointe, and I LOVE IT!!! :D Never give up, and it's NEVER too late to start!!! Follow your heart, and you may be surprised where it may lead you. <3
Thanks so much for sharing! I loved your story, it's really inspiring! Keep us updated in the comments about how things are going, especially when Nutcracker auditions roll around!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteHi I am 14 and i live in a town far from others and cant afford to go out of town to go to a class. I really want to learn just to get fit and have fun. any suggestions? I love to pretend i am really good but i dont want to pretend anymore! any videos that are just warm ups and simple positions? thanks for the help
Delete- A crushed teen
HI! I'm same age a you and want to start but am still saving money to dance( i crochet things and sell them). But there is a book call "101 Lessons in Classical Ballet" and i think it has lesson guides and descriptions of what to do, so I hope that helps. :)
Deletehttp://www.amazon.com/100-Lessons-Classical-Ballet-Choreographic/dp/0879100680
-Yaya :)Good Luck and God Bless :)
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! no no no no no do NOT learn by yourself!!! people have been crippled by doing this because there is no one to make sure you are placing yourself right!! PLEASE DONT!!!!!!
DeleteHey my names Rebecca im 13 and i did ballet for a year or two when i was 6.
ReplyDeleteMe and my best friend have been talking about how much we'd love to do ballet.
I cant remember much from ballet except the VERY basic stuff.
I am quite flexible but havent done any ballet in years.
Theres a ballet studio ver near where I live but i havent talked to the instructer yet so do you know what type of class i should take?
I dont really have any dreams about being proffesional but i just really really want to dance.
I dont know if i'd ever be able to make it to pointe but i want to try and i just want to be able to dance and feel .... Haha i dunno what i want to feel but i love to dance.
Im really worried about what the first lessons are gonna be like and what i should know or be able to do?
Id be sooo grateful if you could give me and advice of what i should be able to do or know about and what to have for my first lessons?
Thanks xxxx
Hi Rebecca! Don't worry about starting ballet, it's seriously so much fun! Contact the instructor and tell her that you have very little dance experience but would like to try ballet. Most teachers are more then happy to find the right class for you. You may be with younger girls, but you are only 13, and they probably wouldn't be younger than 11, which isn't a really big difference.
DeleteI've made a post on what to know before your first ballet class here: http://teenballet.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-know-before-your-first-ballet.html
and here's one on my first ballet class: http://teenballet.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-ballet-class.html
My advice would just be, don't get nervous! The first class is always the hardest, but after a week or two you'll start to fit in. I felt so out of place when I first started dance, but now my dance studios are like home. So have fun with it, and contact a teacher about classes!
Keep me updated!
Also, it's definitely possible to start pointe as long as you're physically able and you work hard! I started pointe at 16, so once you're ready you can too, if you want to that is!
DeleteHaha sorry that was me twice :$ i thought the first one didnt publish :$ haha sorry xxxx
ReplyDeleteNo problem, I do that all the time :) I'll just delete the second one
DeleteThanks so much :) haha i love your blog now :D thanks for all the help :) Rebecca xxx
DeleteThank you, that means a lot :)
DeleteHi, My name is Alondra. I too am a late starter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 5 i asked my mom if i can take ballet classes. She said no because we had no money. Few year later, when i was 8, i asked my mom again. She agreed and we started visiting some dance studios. later on my mom said no because she had no money once again. I was devistated.. you know.. just to think you were almost there. Now I am 12 about to turn 13 in august. There is a small studio 6 min away from my house! I asked my mom again if I could go to dance. This time it came true. On august I will be taking Jazz and Ballet! I am very excited! i want to work very hard to be able to audition for a performing arts school and maybe get accepted to go to the competition team next year! Wish me luck :)
That stinks that it took a while before you could start, but it's awesome you finally have the chance!! Have fun dancing, and good luck for your future auditions!
Deletethanks
DeleteI really want to take ballet! I am 15 and have never had the opertunity to take a dance class. When I was 10 me and my mom started to look at ballet studios for me to attend. Sadly she did not have enough money then. Then for about five years I was busy with other things until now. However, I will never be able to go en pointe because my bone structure is not meant for pointe (that's what the doc said) what do I do? Going en pointe is my dream! xx~meghan
ReplyDeleteIf you're passionate about ballet, sign up for it even if you can't take pointe. I would talk to a dance teacher about what her opinion is on you starting pointe, tell her what your doctor said and see if she agrees. I only say this because your doctor may not be experienced with pointe dancers.
DeleteBallet in soft shoes is still a lot of fun, trust me!
Hi, it's me again! I just found your blog again! Well, with a lot of hard work, I started pointe at age 16! I am only allowed to do ten minutes a week though, because the doctor said any more than that would be bad for my ankles:(
DeleteI'm so glad you updated! It's awesome that you got to start, and you must be a natural if you're doing pointe after a year, so congrats! It's unfortunate that you can only do a little pointe, but it's better to be safe than sorry. I used to force my turnout and ended up with pretty bad knee pain for about 3 months, so I learned the hard way. Keep it up!
DeleteHaha thank you! Your blog inspired me!(:
DeleteHey, I love this blog! I have a question. I am 11 and quit ballet when I was 7. I regret it more than words can say. I have proved to my mom that I love dance, and we have been looking for studios. I've brushed up on the basics, and have been dancing when I can. I am deciding between two types of studios:
ReplyDeleteA) Just ballet, very serious and professional.
B) Alll styles of dance, still professional but not as intense.
I LOOOOOVE Hip Hop, and am taking that at school, as we are lucky enough to have a professional dancer teach a class, and am doing other styles of dance on my schools dance team, so I am still doing styles besides ballet. I want to do a lot of ballet though, since it is the basic base of other styles.
My questions:
Which studio type is better?
My mom says I have missed my opportunity to become a serious dancer- is she right? Is 11 too old? I don't think so, since I've seen professional ballet dancers who have started as late as college.
Thanks!
--Dance2prove
Gosh no, 11 is not too old! As for the studios, it depends on what you want to do, and how much and what types of dance you want to do. If you want to possible peruse a career in ballet, definitely go for the first studio. If it is a true pre-professional ballet school, like CPYB or SAB, and they are willing to accept you, I would jump on that opportunity!
DeleteIf other styles of dance appeal to you more than ballet, the second studio may be better.
Either way, try to take as many classes a week as you can if you want to improve as much as possible. Have fun!
Just a side note: no female pro ballet dancers have ever started later then 13 with no previous experience. There are professional dancers that started late (Martha Graham comes to mind), but they are not professional ballet dancers.
Thanks a lot! Here's a video of a wonderful ballet dancer, Vanessa Sah, who started her first year in college, and is now en pointe and really good! She dances for the Anaheim Ballet, so I guess she is considered professional. Even if that's not technically professional, she still is really good even though she started late.
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0xjoPIZem0&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLA86A426006C9F80E
Ahh, yes, I am familiar with Vanessa Sah. She is a beautiful dancer, but Anaheim Ballet isn't a professional company and, to my knowledge, the dancers do not get paid. It's sort of like the academy and company I attend.
DeleteShe is very good though, you're right!
Hello! I am also 14 and I'm turning 15 in September and I started ballet about a month ago or two.. And I'm an incoming freshmen in high school.. And is t possible to get my pointe my junior year? Why exactly do I have to do to get there?
ReplyDeleteHi! In order to begin pointe you generally need to take at least 3 years of 3 classes a week. However, if you take at least 3 classes a week and have a dancer's body and some determination, you may be able to start pointe in your junior year. It depends on each individual person. I started pointe after 2 years but I know girls who took 4-5 years.
DeleteSo to get to pointe, try these things:
-Take 3+ ninety minute long classes a week
-Try to take summer classes over the summer
-Work with a theraband to strengthen your feet/ankles
-Work hard in class!
Good luck and have fun dancing!
Thank you do much! I'm really passionate about dance but the only thing holding me back is fear that I may never be good enough.. Cuz when we do improv I freeze up and look stupid..
DeleteBut another question.. What types of classes are you talking about when you say to take three every week?
I know what you mean about fear holding you back. I was the same until one day I just...let it go. I suddenly just realized I didn't care if I was good enough because I was having fun and I absolutely loved ballet. I can't improv very well either, I just try to relax and do the first thing that pops into my head.
DeleteYou should try to take three 90 minute ballet classes a week. I ended up starting with two 90 minute and one 60 minute class when I first started, but three 90 minute classes is recommended.
Hi Im miya and I love your blog!!!! I'v Been a fan ever since you started posting and now that Im starting dance classes soon you've inspired me to make my own blog to follow my jorney of a late dancer please give my blog a shout out :) http://glitterdancer143.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHey Miya! I just looked at your blog and already love it! (Elf makes me crack up, that gif is great!) I'll add a link in the sidebar, I can't wait to see how your experiences with dance go!
DeleteWhen will I be able to dance on pointe?
ReplyDeleteHey(: Okay, so I used to take ballet when I was 5 and stopped when I was 7. So, naturally I stopped dancing ballet. I'm now in 9th grade 14, years old and I begin ballet on October 1st. I will be placed in Grade 5. An additional question I would like to ask is what are some basic movements or exercises I can begin to practice at home. I can already hold a releve for 30seconds without holding on to anything. And, I already know my demi plie, and grand plie. Also, what are strengthening exercises to help me move on to pointe. *I'm taking two 90 minute classes per week. Also, feel free to link any youtube links of a typical Grade 5 class. Just everyday things. *My teacher said I'll be able to begin once I get back in shape, not sure whether she meant pointe or pre-pointe. By the way, I love your blog. And, I was also wondering how you added an about me at the top.
Hey! Generally it takes 3 years of three ballet classes a week to get enough strength to start pointe. If you're put en pointe any sooner than 2 years it means your teacher isn't very responsible, that would sort of like getting a drivers permit and driving on the highway right away. You shouldn't really practice anything at home other then stretches before you take ballet because you could accidently pick up on the wrong technique and build some hard to break habbits. Even a simple tondue or grande plie requires specific hand, arm, head, and toe placement, so it's best to have a teacher there to help.
DeleteTo add an "About Me" page, I went to my blog overview, clicked the Pages tab in the left side bar, and clicked add a page.
I hope that helps!
I have been dancing since I was 3 , I stopped for a few years after we moved, but then when I was 6 I started at a new studio. I absoloutly love ballet! I take both tap and ballet. I am now 12. In the next couple years I am hoping to get my pointe shoes. Some people might think that's too young though, but my teacher doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI think 12 or 13 is a good age to start pointe! I'm sure you'll get your shoes when you're ready, have fun dancing!
DeleteIm 12 yrs old 5'6 and really want to dance ballet. Is there any way you guys think I could? I know you need to be short,(and skinny)I am pretty flexible but I am just afraid. Any advice??
ReplyDeleteYou don't have to be short , just VERY flexible
DeleteOnly a professional dance teacher can tell you. In order to be a professional ballet dancer, you must take classes at a pre-professional ballet academy, like Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet or School of American Ballet. You need to have a very specific body type, you need to be within a certain height and weight range, have PERFECT 180 degree turnout, stretchy Achilles tendons, a small face, short torso, long legs, high arches, and musicality, among other things. As you can see, that's quite specific!
DeleteIf you really want to peruse ballet as a career, contact a pre-professional ballet studio and ask about your options.
Only 2% of the population has a "ballet body". And only 10% of professional ballet dancers make a living dancing. I know a professional ballet dancer with a small company that is also a plumber!
If you can't be a professional ballet dancer, you can still take classes for fun and perform like I do!
Hello my name is katrina.
ReplyDeleteI'm 13 and have just started ballet (2 classes a week) about a month ago at my local dance center. However, I have been practicing on my own for about a year and a half. (not ballet, but flexibility and strength) My dance school has a pre-professional program that I really want to get into. I practice ballet everyday for about 1-3 hours, and my goal is to become a proffessional dancer... I've wanted to do this since I was the "normal" starting age for ballet, but complications got in the way. My plan is to take my current classes for a while, then move onto private, then audition for the pre-professional program at my school. After that, I want to move onto a better program... I really want to get into the national ballet school of canada, and my mother supports it despite the fact that we live 4 provinces away... I know it's a long shot, do you think it's a possibility?
Hey Katrina (love that name!)
DeleteThe best thing to do would be to tell your teacher you're interested and ask what you should do to become better! If you're serious about being a professional dancer, the sooner the better! When Misty Copeland started ballet at 13, she almost immediately started taking many hours of private ballet classes a week to catch up. It will be difficult and expensive, but if it's what you want, try your hardest!
Same goes for auditioning for the national ballet school of canada, the sooner the better!
Try going to http://dancers.invisionzone.com/ for help from actual professional dancers, teachers, and parents of professional dancers!
It's definitely a long shot. If you don't have that perfect ballet body, it's impossible to go pro. You also need the funds and dedication. Even then, you might not make it. It's a tough decision.
Hey!(: My name is Deysi and im 15.
ReplyDeleteSo I Love to dance, but Iv NEVER took ballet classes. I want to start taking some but im scared. Mostly because I have no idea what I should expect plus I lack confidence also I see all these girls that dance ballet are very fit and slim ,I on the other hand am not (im not over weight or anything just not in shape and stuff). Im planing on taking beginners classes. Also I don't want to be a professional dancer or anything I just want to do this for fun ,see if i like it.Honestly I don't know anything about ballet except for what iv read on your blog and from friends but I really want to try.
Any advice ?
Hey! When I started ballet, I knew nothing as well. I just saw all the videos of girls dancing on Youtube and was like, "Hey, I want to do that!". Professional ballet dancers have to be very skinny to be accepted into companies, but most girls that dance ballet for fun aren't that skinny, I promise! There are several girls at my academy's senior company that have curves, and they're brilliant dancers!
DeleteI really like anaheim ballet videos on youtube, if you want to check them out!
My advice would be to just take the plunge and try it! It can't hurt! If you don't like it, you can always stop, but if you do, you'll get to learn a new hobby, make new friends, and brag to people about how you can grande jete!
Go ahead and sign up for class!
Thanks you for the advice ^__^
DeleteI'll defiantly give it a try. I start classes in about a week or so <3
honestly thanks to you Its made me gain confidence and go for it. At least now I know im not the only late starter.
Awesome, good luck! It really means a lot that the blog helped, comments like that always make me smile all day. I wish I had some advice from a friend when I first started ballet, so I guess this is sort of like my advice from a friend to others who are in the same position I was.
DeleteTell me how you like your classes!
Hello! My name is Cleo and I am 13 years old. I just started ballet in September, I am in ballet level 2 classes with 9+ year olds. I Instantly fell in love with ballet, and wish I could have started sooner. I hope to be moved up to level 3 by the end of this session, which ends at the end of this month, and starts up again in January. I take three classes a week, each for an hour and a half. I hope to go onto pointe eventually. I believe I have caught up to the kids in my class, and the teacher even asks me to demonstrate some of the moves, like glissades, and other combinations. I try to practice every day when I dont have classes. I do ancle exercises. I am already pretty strong in my legs, because I do a lot of hiking. I want to show my teacher that I am ready to advance. How should I do that? I already pay attention and act on my teachers corrections. Also what are some exercises that will help make my ancles stronger, and prepare for pointe? Also what are some exercises that will improve my flexibility, I am almost in my full spilt, on my right leg, but I want to get there faster.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Hello! Wow, seems like you have made a lot of progress already, congratulations! Paying attention in class and dancing will help show your teacher you're ready to advance, but perhaps asking her when she thinks you'll advance would get her thinking about it. I recommend tons and tons of releves and eleves to prepare for pointe, in positions 1,2,4, and 5, as well as releves in coupe and passe. A theraband also helps, you can google them for more information and exercises. Stretching is really the only way to improve flexibility, and it's a pretty slow process. Try to stretch when your muscles are nice and warmed up, and don't overdo it! Just find a stretching routine that works for you. Mine is a mix of my favorite stretches that takes about 10-15 minutes total.
DeleteHi! I love your blog! I've been dancing since I was 2 and I love it so much! I just switched studios this year so I am still getting used to things, plus, this group of girls is really mean to me. Do you have any advice about stuff I could do to fit in better?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have a blog too: www.balletdancer.blog.com
OK, hello so I'm not sure if I'm being rude or not, like spam, so the administrator (BalletGirl) Feel free to delete this, But I would REALLY like it if other people joined my blog. I am 10 and just went en pointe and I started when I was 3 :) Even though I'm not a "Teen Beginner" I still love your Blog! mine is www.dream2dodance.blogspot.com I have 300 views and my goal is 500! Thanks sooooo much!
ReplyDelete-Nessie ;D
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! An adult beginner class would probably also work for you, when I started at my current studio they offered me ballet 3 with girls that were 10, or adult ballet where the youngest was 17. I picked the ballet 3 class, but only because there was 2 classes a week instead of just 1.
DeleteHave fun, keep me updated!
I was a late starter too! I started ballet when I was 9... not too late, but later than the others. I wanted to do ballet because it looked really fun. After my first year I felt so passionate, that I decided to continue another year. I did, and now, years later, ballet is my passion! :)
ReplyDeleteI wish I started when I was 9 too! It's great you realized your passion so early on (even though it is late for ballet), so you could get started on it right away!
DeleteHiya i'm also a late starter of ballet classes. i started in september and i absolutely love it! i'm 14 (nearly 15) an i currently do two classes a week with another girl much younger than me. it gets me down sometimes as other girls of my age are so advanced in ballet and i feel ashamed when people find out that i do ballet but not pointe work. i want pointe shoes so badly and i practice whenever i can (even in the street sometimes). i sometimes want to give up as i feel i'll never get my pointe shoes even though i believe i'm strong enough (prior to taking ballet classes i already used to strengthen my ankles). i love it so much and feel so passionate that it hurts to think about those pointe shoes but i am determined to get them! Thank you so much for starting this blog.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you're so determined and practice so often! Everyone gets a little discouraged from time to time, but if you love ballet just keep pushing through! If pointe is meant to be, it'll happen! I felt the same way, but I began pointe last summer! Good luck with everything!
DeleteI started ballet at 12 when I was 2 months away from my 13th birthday. I am now 14 and I am so in love with it! I am just getting up to the level where I am with people around my age and my teacher says I will get my pointe shoes this year when my ballet studio gets back in session. You are such an inspiration because it makes me feel like I am not the only one who's serious who started late and you also give great ideas. Even though I've never seen you dance and don't know you you're still and inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to start ballet for about a year now. The interest began when I was 5 although then, like any other little girl, I just thought it was pretty! Now that I'm 13 and I understand it more, I feel like ballet could truly be my passion, but classes are so expensive. I'm following your august stretch plan and make an effort to read your blog every day! Your such an inspiration to me!:) I'm excited though because my mom told me i might be able to start it soon!!:D I was just wondering if you had any advice for me? should I prepare and try to look at some technique tips online? My friend from school who has been dancing her whole life said I have great turn-out or something like that, I just remember doing first position and her complementing me. But yeah, any advice?:)
ReplyDeleteSo I have a question & I'd REALLY apprieciate if you'd answer - I'm 15, but by the time I start going to classes (I have to start fall term) I'll be 16. I NEVER danced in my life before and recently just got this passion for dance. Anyway I have a few questions -
ReplyDelete1. As a begginer do I have to go and get my first pair of slippers fitted? And where exactly would this be done?
2.Will I ever be able to be on pointe as a teenager? Like by 18?
3.What are some good excersizes as someone who is not flexible at all to become flexable quicker?
Hello, I'm sorry I'm late (Labor day vacay in the mountains = no wifi)!
Delete1. You can e-mail or call your dance teacher and ask her if you should go get ballet slippers. If she says yes, ask if there is a specific material or sole she would like. Ballet slippers come in canvas or leather, and full or split sole, and some teachers prefer one to the other. I would recommend full sole leather to a beginner! You can also ask for recommendations of where to get them. Dance teachers and dance supply stores generally work together to get discount costumes in bulk and things like that, so she should know a good store. If not, go to yellowpages.com and search "dance supply store" in your city.
2. It depends on your instructor, intensity of training, and natural ability. I started ballet at 14, and started pointe at 16, so it is possible! I am lucky to have several classes a week with professional dancers, and was just born with that typical "ballet body", which is why it took me so little time. It usually takes about 3 years, but can take anywhere between 2-4+.
3. Basic stretches will help with flexibility, like the simple touch your toes, butterfly, ect. You can also look here for more stretching ideas: http://teenballet.blogspot.com/2011/10/split-tips.html
Hey!
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for months now. I've been in love with ballet for so long, but I've been afraid to join because I'm overweight. Finally, I plucked up the courage. My first class is on Wednesday the 4th. Thank you so much for all you've done!
Yay! I'm so excited for you! Have fun, and tell me how it goes, okay?
Deletehey! Ive read your blog and it is really encouraging and fun to read! Im 16 and i want to start ballet. Ive been looking for good schools for weeks but the one i really wanted to join(its one of the top 5 in my country) is very far away from my house,so my mum didnt agree. So i choose another studio that is a bit near and it's a french school. It's a music and dance school so it is perfect for me since i want to take piano lessons too! I checked their website and im calling them tomorrow for more info. What should i ask them? What schools should i actually look for if i want to dance and reach pointe level? Idk if this school have pointe level but they do have teen/adult classes. And they provided me on their website with info about the trainer(also teaches piano)she has a diploma from RAD and a diploma from Les Grands Ballet Canadiens De Montreal (which is a ballet school in canada) and she also works for concerts so idk if she is actually good or not. What kind of dance schools should i look for? Which are the ones i should avoid? How did you choose yours? Help me out please im really confused of what studio i should attend because i take ballet seriously and i want to be really food and reach pointe level! ps: im doing ballet just for fun not aiming to be professional haha(:
ReplyDeletewhat age do you think would be too old to start taking ballet ? iv been interested since i was 15 but i never got to attend, for reasons dealing with school. im 16 now and i still wanna do it but am i too old to start?
ReplyDeleteYou aren't too old! There are plenty of teen and adult beginner ballet classes out there! If 50 year olds can start ballet, 16 year olds definitely can.
DeleteI am 14 and a few of my friends do ballet, but they are all really good. I did ballet for a few years up until the age of 7 and then I had to quit. Its something I've regretted. I really want to take it up again, but I just can't find the guts to ask my parents because they'll just laugh at me and tell me that you can get injuries. Also, I don't know if I could go into a class of random girls and be the worst because I am really shy. I don't want to look stupid, but I'm really nervous about asking my parents! What should I do?
ReplyDeleteI've heard that ballet is quite an expensive sport because of all of the pointe shoes you go through. Is this true? How much does a pair of pointe shoes cost on average and how many do you use in a year?
ReplyDeleteI would feel so guilty if I was taking any more of my parent's money...
I am almost 16 and I have decided I want to start ballet because I love dance and have been doing Irish dance for 11 years, but I would like a change because my Irish dance program isn't all I hoped it would be. The only problem is that I am having trouble convincing my parents. What should I do?
ReplyDeleteHey(: I really like your blog and it's really inspiring. I'm 14 this year and I may be starting ballet at about January? I'll be learning with adults because the studio doesn't offer ballet for teenagers, so teenagers will join the adults. As far as I know the instructor told me I'll be joining the grade 6 students after 4 to 5 years of taking adult ballet if i would like to continue with graded ballet. I'm really excited about it and especially with getting my pointe shoes... :D And during school holidays I'll be participating in Gymnastics camps to maybe help strengthen my muscles and increase flexibility, and maybe leaarn a few new 'stunts' xD ~JieMin
ReplyDeleteHi my name is Izzy! I started ballet when I was 11 and I fell in love with my beginner class. I started at a different studio the following year with kids two years younger and moved up the same year with kids one year younger.The only problem is, we are a small academy and there is barley any space in company (the level I should be in next year) so if I want to be in company, I really have to prove myself. Tips/
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI started ballet and tap when I was 2, stopped at 9. I'm 13 and now inflexible and want to restart. I know I'll be placed with little girls at the same level as me (5-7 year olds probably) and they'll judge me as I am self conscious because I'm a but pudgy here and there. So I guess the question is... I want to convince my mum to pay for private ballet and tap lessons but I dint know hiw to ask her and bring it up... HHHHEEEELLLLPPPPP!!!!!
Hi! So today was a very eventful day for me. Here we go:
ReplyDeleteMy name is Anna and I am 14 years old. I am naturally thin because I have a fast metabolism and relatively tall plus ive always been really flexible. I have always loved dance but I never joined when I was little. I go to a performing arts school but not for dance (I go for theatre). Recently I've really really wanted to start dance but I was scared I wasn't good enough. My friends are all dancers cause that's the people I hang around I guess. My best friends mom owns a studio so one day I went to one of the classes she teaches cause I slept over (shes amazing). I did a 2 hour jazz/lyrical/Ballet class and it was so fun!!! I loved Ballet so much!!! so I decided I wanted to start doing dance out of school over summer. I have always loved pointe. I can watch Ballet all day long. So I signed up for a Ballet 1 class for kids 10+ and today was my first day. It was an hour long and it was supper fun but I didn't find it challenging at all. I knew what everything was and it was easy to do. (I watched videos and learned all the terminology for like months before I got my parents to agree to let me dance so it was easy to pick up) (I also did a lot of leg exercise. I mean calf raises and thigh workouts and the whole 9 yards lol) So after class the teacher called me back in and asked if I was en pointe. I of course said no and she was shocked. She asked how much experience ive had and I told her it was the first reall dance class id had other than one at my friends. She stared at me like I was crazy lol. She said that that class was definitely not right for me and she wants to move me up to level 3. LEVEL 3!! She said that I'm already strong enough for pointe but she wants to give me the technique first. She said she was super excited to see me in her Ballet 3 class and that she wants the other ballet teacher to see me too. It was literally the Best. Day. Ever. I worked so hard before I was even in a class to strengthen up and to learn. I mean One class. I was in ONE class and she says i'm strong enough for Pointe. And this isn't a small studio either. Its a really nice studio with AMAZING teachers. I hae never been so happy. But heres the thing. I practiced. ALL THE TIME. I worked on my flexibility. On my leaps and turns. I mean months prior I starts working out my leg muscles. Doing releves and tondues and everything. It may have only been one class but I was practicing months before. Every day. I was so dedicated. My older sister does a little dance so she was also there to help me and tell me what I was doing wrong. Basically in two days I go off into Ballet 3. Wow am I scared....
Me again sorry. Obviously I am not going on pointe. I still have a lot of classes to take for technique but on the whole muscle side of it. My legs are strong enough. I am going to take a handful of classes before I can actually get en pointe. Just wanted to let you know
ReplyDeleteI am 14 and I go to an arts school in Michigan, I would love to take their Beginning Ballet class because I do Ice Dance, so the ballet would be free for the next 2 years. I would have to brush up on the basics though, I took it when I was 3-5. But I don't know if it would be better going into an actual studio...
ReplyDeletei like your post thanks for share this blog . . .
ReplyDeletefor more detail you can visit our web site thanks . . ..
Ballet barre | Ballet clothing
Hi! This blog is somewhat reassurring to me. I'm nearly 16 and not flexible yet I've been wanting to start ballet classes. The only problem is money and time. But this blog kept me to push further! Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHey
ReplyDeleteMy name is Bree. I'm 15. I want to start ballet. I never took any ballet classes before. I am not flexible either, also im kinda overweight. I want to become a professional, maybe i wont do it as a job but still.
There isn't much ballet courses in the city i live in. There are only 3, and 2 of them already told me that i can't do it because i was too late, now i'm too afraid to call the 3rd course.What do you think ? I can be really ambitious, so if i start, can i become a pro?Should I try my best to convince them and even beg if the course doesn't accept me ?
Hi BalletGirl,
ReplyDeleteFirstly, thank you so much for sharing your experiences and giving your perspectives and knowledge to the ballet community! You seem like someone who is really thoughtful, hard working, and appreciative of the arts.
I am a young ballet teacher who is preparing to teach her first class- Intermediate Teen Ballet. Most of the dancers in this class have been studying dance for about five years on the recreational level and are dancing because they love the process. In trying to gauge what would benefit these dancers, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?
* Do you think that most teen dancers make plans to continue dancing after high school? (i.e. Join student dance organizations in college) or do most not want this time commitment?
* Would teen dancers enjoy the chance to have a more experiential class, or do they want a class that will make them feel more like pre-professional students? By an experiential class I mean one that incorporates opportunities for peer feedback, learning about the applications of dance in the broader world, and experimenting with building dancer skills such as physical conditioning and performance psychology.
* I am not too far in age from my students. In your opinion, do teen dance students resent the lack of age difference, or do they more appreciate the chance to have new perspectives in the classroom? I know that I come from a more pre-professional background, and I always craved the authority and experience of older, more accomplished dancers-turned-teachers.
Do the best you can with these questions, I know they're tricky and obviously not reflective of every dancer's views. Any insight that you or other blog readers could contribute would be helpful!