Expert: Connie - 1/8/2008

Question
I am a 13 year old serious dancer and I have been dancing since i was 5. My teachers say that I am one onf the stronger dancers in my class, but i am also the tallest (at 5'8). I look different then my class mates, towering over them by at least 4 inches. I am really serious about ballet, but i've been told that people won't accept taller dancers. I am almost as tall as the one male dancer at our school when i am on full point. What i want to know is if i can still persue a good career in dance being about 5'10 or more by the time i am doen growing? Will i be accepted into schools with my tremendous height?

Answer
5'10 is not that bad at all!  It will be a bit harder for you to get a job than normal height people, but you'll just have to work extra hard.  You'll also have something that will immediately make you stand out.  There are many tall ballerinas.  for example, Judith Jameson was a famous tall dancer and danced w. Baryshnikov (who was short for ballet!).  Don't let your height discourage you from striving for a career in dance!