Expert: Connie - 6/15/2010

Question
Okay, this might be long-winded, sorry about that =/

I'm 15, first off, and I'm always asked what I want to do with my life. I never really had an answer until a couple weeks ago. My interests jump here and there and everywhere, and actually, I usually always have a different career I want to pursue. But I realized, upon returning to ballet after a year, that that's what I want to do. Really, and truly.
The one constant in my life has always been dance. I literally grew up at a competitive studio, from age 4-14. By the time we were 8 we were taking 3 1 and 1/2 hour ballet classes a week, which, combined with all of our other classes reached about 16 hours/week. We were there pretty much all the time. I know, it's no Royal Ballet School, but if you didn't have a full split, perfect saut de chat, and triple turn on both sides by the time you were 10 you were below average.  
When I was 13, they offered 1/2 hour of pointe after every class, which I started with recommendation from my teacher. After a year I was moderately competent at it, but the vicious nature of the entire place caused me to leave.
I left a year ago, when I was 14, to focus on school, but I missed dance so much. Last summer, I did the summer intensive at the New Haven Ballet in CT, which is very close by. I took a lot of their summer open classes as well. Last year I kept in shape through cheerleading, but I really can't stand it. The only aspect I like is the performance.
I recently started taking the open classes again and fell in love with them. I'm a little rusty, I'll admit, and my pointe could use some serious work. But I want to take as many classes as possible this year, because this is what I want to do. I just don't know if it's possible. I want to take at least five, preferably 6 classes per week at the New Haven Ballet for my last 2 years of High School, and so a really good summer intensive next year and the year after. You seem pretty knowledgeable about the training process, seeing as you're in it. Do you think I could make it?

Answer
You are the one who will ultimately decide whether or not you "make it" at this career.  However, I can say that it seems you definitely have the drive to get there!  If your goal is really to be a professional ballet dancer you need to be taking a minimum of five classes a week to stay in shape, retain information, and see a real improvement.  
New Haven Ballet is a pretty reputable ballet school!  You'll gain pretty good training from that environment.  I would suggest also looking at the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet, the school I'm from.  It's a little more than an hour away from New Haven, so it's not reasonable for the school year, but you could look into attending MAB's summer program or try an open class once or twice.  The HAART school also has good training if you want to check out another school.  
Keep working hard, asking questions, and being eager and open to learning.  Good luck, and feel free to ask any more questions.