Expert: Connie - 7/28/2010

Question
I am the mother of a 4 year old girl, whom I would eventually like to start in ballet.  I'm sure she would love taking a pre-ballet class now, but I also have other children and do not want to spend the time/money on a dance class now if it won't really do much to further her dance ability in the long run.  Most studios seem to offer a pre-ballet, kindergarten ballet, and beg. ballet at age 6.  I'm wondering if the earlier classes are more for fun or is there a real advantage to starting classes prior to age 6.  It seems to me that starting at 6 a child would easily learn the skills taught in pre and kindergarten ballet. Basically what I want to know if the early classes are truly worth it as far as learning technique go, or if she would be at a disadvantage if starting at 6.
Also, a studio close to my house only offers 45 minute classes at all levels, not just for the younger dancers.  Is 45 minutes really long enough for a dance class or should I look for another studio?

Answer
For serious ballet training, the kind most people need to become a professional dancer, a child will start at the age of nine.  Pre-ballet classes can foster a love of the art form, but kids just don't have the attention span to learn the technique until they are a bit older.  Starting at six would be fine!

For younger dancers, 45 minutes or an hour is a good length of time because they can only hold their attention for that long.  However, a normal ballet class is usually 90 minutes or longer, so when your daughter is about 10 or 11 I would look for a studio with serious, longer classes.  Good luck!