Expert: Connie - 9/29/2008

Question
I am 16 years old and will be 17 soon. I started about two years ago dancing at my highschool, modern, jazz,ballet, hiphop, with no former training. I began in a dance tech 1 class and a few months into the course my teacher pulled me from that class onto the dance team.  I am starting my third year on the dance team and have a co- captain position and will be captain next year. I dance differently then any of the girls on the team. Im not like a company dancer. And have an overly strong passion for art. I love modern/ contemporary and ballet. In my two years my teacher has told me I have improved so much and that through his career he went to school with amazing pros but none of them came up with the type of choregorphy like i do, that is comes easily. His former friends who also instruct dance have told me I have amazing raw talent, that i perform like my teacher. My emotion and performance is my strongest quality, seeing i can't kick my head yet I use facial expressions. But anyways to my question, I plan to double major in college in Dance. But is it too late to begin at a studio for ballet and pointe. I wish to dance like a pro and maybe train at a major theatre one day. Is it possiable. I am currently take three dance classes at my highschool, thats how much i love it. What advice do you have for me?

Answer
I would find a serious training school as soon as possible.  Look for a ballet school that specializes in a specific technique.  I recommend Vaganova technique.  Take class at least 6 times a week, and work hard at absorbing everything your teacher tells you.  To farmiliarize yourself with ballet terms, look at the book "Basic Principles of Classical Ballet" by Agrippina Vaganova.  
It sounds like you're extremely talented.  You'll have a tough time because you're older, but it's not too late.  Training in ballet will also give you a strong background for modern dance, and will make you stronger in all dance styles.  Don't give up!  Good luck. =]