Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 2/7/2009

Question
Hi, im interested in ballet but i have never had classes before. I wanted to go at the age of 9 but my mother never took the interest.

I would want to get up to a good level, if i did start. If i wanted to do it professionally, i don't know if i could. I want to do ballet because it is a strong interest that never disappeared. I weigh exactly 6 stone, so for my age im quite light and my height is 5 foot, so im quite short, is this okay? and would my age affect atleast taking classes if not doing it professionally someday?

Answer
Hi Sureena. It's more likely that you would not get up to a professional level, but there are always exceptions.

If you were to start at classes three times a week at a reputable ballet school, you would know in a year what you could accomplish if you kept going. That's the only way to find out. Or, Start a once a week class and ask the ballet teacher for a professional opinion on your potential. Get a couple more opinions if you like.

Unfortunately, even if you are extremely talented and physically suited for ballet, there are many students who have a 5-10 year start on you, and only so many jobs. So reaching a professional level also means getting a job in a highly competitive area, and being able to support yourself. I know, I am horribly practical.

If you love dance, study dance. Take ballet and possibly also train in tap, or acting. Performing is exhilarating. Look into ballet, and also invest some time in training that will afford you a living. Ballet training is a wonderful basic discipline in which to study for injury prevention in all other forms of movement.

Think about all of this, and see what you conclude. Since you are drawn to ballet, maybe you'll find that you have a HUGE talent in a related area that doesn't require such demanding training. You never know where your thoughts and ideas will lead!

All the best, Dianne