Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 12/18/2008

Question
Hello. I have just turned 26. I know now I want to pursue dance and have the full support of my husband and family. By the standards of the dance world, am I too old to begin again? I started dance, mostly modern and ballet, at age 5 but stopped at age 12. I began for a while at 17, but haven't dance since then. I am very worried about this. Any advice or opinions would be helpful. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Ariel. If by "pursue" you mean study ballet and dance full time and become a professional, yes, by the standards of the dance world, you are too old to become professional.

I do not know how gifted you are for dance, and therefore how well you  would train now or what you consider family commitments. Dance is a full time and over-time study, and demands self-involvement. I've seen women with older teenagers and complete financial support, succeed in getting a dance degree, and perhaps including 6-8 dance classes a week. But it doesn't sound like that is what you are thinking of.

I see that you are trying to be realistic with this and that you are worried about taking 9 years off. Because you are now 9 years older, I think it would be hard for you. Again, without having seeing you, I don't really know.

Your family may feel it's a great idea, but they have no idea what is coming! Busy mom, aching mom, studying mom, tired mom, maybe that's okay if you have staff at home. Still, I think they will miss you.

Maybe by family you didn't mean children, but other adult family.

Please feel free to ask any further questions. All the best, Dianne