Expert: Jennifer - 2/24/2007

Question
Hi I'll be turning 19 late this year and just started ballet lessons (about a month) at a local professional company. I would like to ask if it's still possible to do not just pointe work but be able to dance variations and all that? I'm not looking to be a professional, but I really want to be good at it.

I'm taking lessons once a week now as I will be moving to america soon, and would like to ask what's the optimum number of lessons I should take. Also, would it be too much if I want to minor in dance and ballet at college? I've got a sports background, but not dance, although I'm quite flexible.

Lastly, how long should I practice everyday? Is it possible to balance college and time to perfect ballet? Sorry to ask so many questions, but much thanks for your help!

Answer
Elizabeth -

The short answer is yes, of course!

It is not always easy to find good quality ballet classes designed for adult beginners, and it can be even more difficult to find beginning pointe classes for adults... but those classes are out there, you just have to be dilligent in finding them... and it sounds like you're well on your way!

Your goal is a perfectly reasonable one -- its the same one that I had when I started taking ballet again (after quitting as a child) at about your age. The only things that may stop you from reaching that goal is 1) class availability and 2) your willingness to work hard at it!

I would say that if you're serious about really improving your dancing, 2-3 classes a week would be the minimum as a beginner, and as you build your strength and endurance, I would add on from there. You can take as many classes as you can fit into your schedule, as long as you leave at least one full day of physical rest! When I was taking dance in college, I was taking 6 or 7 dance classes every week -- ballet 3 times, modern dance twice, and ballroom once, with an extra class thrown in here and there. It all depends on what your schedule allows and how your body holds up. I found that, though it was sometimes difficult, the more classes I took, the stronger I felt and the better my technique was.

I think that minoring in dance is a great goal for you. The requirements for a minor will differ for every school. It may take a couple of years of practice to be accepted into a program, or they may take you as a minor without an audition at all -- it just depends on the school. I think that taking ballet classes at the university level is a great experience because you typically have access to high quality instructors *and* you get to take class with people your own  age!

I think the ideal length for a ballet class is an hour and half, and you certainly shouldn't take a dance class that is less than an hour long. If you asking about practice outside of class, I typically do not recommend practicing ballet outside of class (without an instructor present). However, it can be beneficial to condition your body in other ways to supplement your dancing. Good options are pilates, yoga, cardio, light strength training, and stretching (though never stretch without being fully warmed up).

As a small bit of encouragement, I'll briefly tell you my story as it starts out quite similar to yours. I was 19 years old and a sophomore at my university when I signed up to take a beginning ballet class. It was twice a week for about 2 hours per class, and I was lucky enough to have a very inspiring teacher who, after my first semester, invited me to take some of her Ballet II classes to supplement my second semester of beginning class (I was taking class 5 times a week). It was a very difficult and frustrating transition, given that I was suddenly in a class with ballet majors! After a semester of concentration and frustration, I started getting the hang of it! I added Modern I and II classes to the mix, and finally some jazz and ballroom as well. The summer between my junior and senior year, I had advanced enough to be accepted as a level 4 student (one level below the top) at a professional company's summer intensive. Yes, I was in class with 13 and 14 year olds, but I made it into a summer intensive! I didn't care -- some of those girls are probably dancing professionally now! I was able to accomplish all of this at the same time as taking full course loads in my major in college and getting my BA in the normal 4 years. After graduation, I started taking classes at the local community college (where I'm still taking class now) and I sometimes perform with their resident dance company. So YES! If I can do it, you can too!

So, lots of luck, and have fun dancing!