Expert: treivilo - 6/29/2009

Question
Hi!
I started ballet at 3 and danced until i was 12 right before I was to go on
pointe. I am now 16 and I have taken 2 years of modern in my 5 year stretch
of not taking ballet classes. I also have been figure skating. I have recently
gone back to ballet at my old studio about a month ago. My teacher recently
passed me to go on pointe and I will be starting in the fall. My question is, is
there no hope for me to ever be a professional dancer? I would love t o be a
professional ballerina but modern is looking quite good as well. This is just a
question to see if i should eve think about trying to goto college for dance. I
would really appreciate any feedback you have.

Answer
Hello Lily,

First of all, and I always say this to people asking if they can become pro ballet dancer, what is the most important is to take pleasure, whatever you do. As long as pleasure is a part of the "what you do", you will take much more benefit from it than if you it "as a work".

Next, about your question ; I do not see any specific reason that would not let you become a professional dancer. This said, becoming a pro ballet dancer needs a lot of work and investment and, very often, wannabe pro ballet dancers only see the "shining" part of the work, and forget the long rehearsal days, the travels, ...

Anyway, enjoy your dancing !

Olivier