Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 9/1/2011

Question
hi
my daughter who is 12 has been doing grade 6 ballet for 1 year twice a week for 3 hours and loved it so did i
we had to move schools but continued with grade 6 with the new teacher who is very nice but her grade 6 was very different and my daughter started again but hates it but has stuck it out since april it is rad ballet
as my daughter was doing her exam in november at the old school i did not no what is best as her class should be the same and its not her teacher says she can do grade 7 and 8 and not do the exam my question is do you think she has learned enough to move on to become a dancer and do grade 7 and 8 very slowly
hope you can help

Answer
Hi Sam. I could not know for sure not being able to see your daughter dance. You just have to go with her teacher's assessment.

Also keep in mind that grades and exams do not necessarily have anything to do with an individual becoming a professional ballet dancer. That would depend on talent, and getting into a professional training program as soon as possible.

All the best, Dianne.