Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 6/2/2008

Question
i wanted to do ballet from a early age i started a dance school called italia conti and i did a tap and ballet workshop i did more tap than ballet in fact i only did one lesson im am now 13 going on 14 i want to go to the royal school of ballet i was told that they would accept someone with less experience but im not sure  love this dance but am scared mike all of my other ambition i will fail in making it to do ballet even though i am 13 could i still do ballet

Answer
Hi Jamila. 13 years old is considered not the best age to start ballet if you wanted to  become a professional ballet dancer, yet you can definitely start taking ballet now and enjoy it anyway. It is wonderful training and could benefit you in many ways.

Do not think in terms of success or failure at your age. Everything has to be studied for years before you start judging whether it is a success or not - if you loved it and learned a lot, then you are a success. If it does not become your career - it will lead to something else that will.

I hope you go ahead and find a ballet school. Work hard and enjoy yourself. Ballet is difficult, but it is wonderful when you accomplish some of it. Give yourself some time to learn, and do not be critical of yourself.

All the best, Dianne.