I have been a student of ballet since I was a little girl, but it was never consistent. I was a dance major for a while but I felt so out of it because everyone else had been doing it forever and I felt like I just couldn't compare. The thing is, I just LOVE ballet so so so much. And I always just start taking a class again, you know like some adult ballet class, and it's still fun and all, but it's like I never go anywhere with it. I want to start again, and really stick with it, but I am wondering if it is just a lost cause now. I mean I know I will never be pro, but I just like it for my own sense of fulfillment. Any advice?
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Maryland
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Re: what would you do?
Tue, February 3, 2004 - 7:07 PMYes,,,, ENJOY!
Keep going to class and treat it like you're still in for the pro! Your body will show it and you'll FEEL closer to what you wished you would've had.
Ballet is so wonderful for ANY figure and the results show up in many ways! Besides.....you'll always be able to let people know that YOU practice such a beautiful and graceful art! A lot of people think it's great to see someone who does. :) -
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Re: what would you do?
Tue, February 3, 2004 - 7:27 PMI agree with Kathy. If ballet is what you want to do, then you should do it. It doesn't matter what other people think. Even though I know I'll never be professional (I never would have been good enough when I was younger anyway) I dance because I want to. I don't care about being onstage and dancing for others. Ballet gives me discipline, energy, strength and flexibility, and a sense of well-being. And of course, it's beautiful. -
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Re: what would you do?
Tue, February 3, 2004 - 10:04 PMGo for it!! Don't feel self - conscious at all... there are many people out there like you- find a class where there aren't too many beginners (or else you'll be bored to death), and have fun! -
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Re: what would you do?
Wed, February 4, 2004 - 3:36 AM...and take it from the crazy, red monster!! :)
What kind of Point shoes would a red fuzzy monster wear?
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Re: what would you do?
Wed, February 4, 2004 - 10:23 AMhon...if you get even the tiniest BIT of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from it...for god sake sake GO for it!~ Dont let others be the barometer by which you run your life.
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Re: what would you do?
Sun, February 8, 2004 - 10:45 AMScrew anybody who's got anything negative to say about you doing what makes you happy. They may just be jealous! Not everyone can even attempt this type of dance.
Ballet is a beautiful, and really really good for your body. There's no commitment to perform or be tested or judged. It's just a class.
You'll feel really good about yourself if you follow your heart.
Everyone's advice in this thread is great! -
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Re: what would you do?
Wed, February 11, 2004 - 9:21 PMI totally agree. How often do we things for ourselves that feel good, let alone that are good for us? Ballet is the best of both, and how cool is it to be able to say, "...And I dance ballet." ??? I have yet to hear someone say, "Oh. That's nice. Whatever." No way! It's one of the arts that people get to share with you, either in dancing with you or in watching. I think any form of dance or music is one of those things that once the fire starts inside you, it never really fully dies out. You may have to rekindle it a little bit, but it will always be there.
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Re: what would you do?
Thu, March 18, 2004 - 6:45 PMI guess I'll chime in late and reiterate what everybody else says, go for it! I started dance after 30! I never thought I'd dance on a professional level, direct a dance company, choreograph on great dancers, be respected as a professional dancer...but all of that has happened. Maybe you won't be a professional pure ballet dancer, but there are so many choreographers looking for dancers with strong modern, jazz, and in my case, flamenco, Latin, and Middle Eastern dance training. And I'll take a reasonably talented dancer who is highly reliable over a super talented dancer who is flaky every time. So keep at it, let people know you want to perform, and be punctual, cheerful, cooperative with the choreographer and the other dancers, and you can go very far. Jeez, you're only 22- a baby! -
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Re: what would you do?
Thu, March 18, 2004 - 7:06 PMI second that. Except I didn't start after thirty, I started when I was 18, but whatever. I also haven't had anybody pay more for it yet. Anyway, if you're not going to say "Give me ballet or give me death," there's probably a spot in the dance world for you. And if you add acting and singing, and you take those technique classes consistently, you'll be dancing circles around the musical theatre folks pretty soon.
If you can find a place where you train with the same teachers and a consistent group, that's really good. Also, if you can do a couple of classes a day, it makes a huge difference. Where I train, we have a couple of adults taking class in the trainee classes. It's not like it's impossible to cross the line from taking drop-in classes targetted at recreational dancers to taking the more serious classes where they assume you want to go somewhere.
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Re: what would you do?
Tue, February 21, 2006 - 10:58 PMCaitlin,
Please keep at it-- and I'll give you a really strange reason that I haven't seen from someone else yet.
I am obsessed with reading about ballet dancers, their struggles and accomplishments, the behind-the-scenes stuff, anything I can find. I've never taken a ballet class in my life, nor do I personally know anyone trying to be a dancer. But for some strange reason I'm fascinated by the real world of ballet (as it affects the dancers, not the pretty stage product,) and if people like you didn't keep at it, what would I do? I'd say this is selfish, but I can only assume there are many more people out there like me (I hope...!) I'm 30 years old and I don't plan on pursuing ballet... I just love to hear and learn about it!
So please... give us closet-balletomanes something to work with! Do what you enjoy, trust that you'll find your place in it, and tell us what happens! (A new book would be GREAT! Ever consider that? hint hint... ; )
Thanks for sharing-
Blessings, Leina
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Re: what would you do?
Wed, February 22, 2006 - 4:59 AMPerhaps my personal experiences would help in making a decision....
I had rheumatic fever when I was a kid (legs were paralysed), and as part of the recovery, doctors insisted that I take ballet lessons. I stopped in high school years cause, hey, 'guys' just shouldn't be doing that...
But one day, I saw the Kirov ballet at the Met in NYC. And I was hooked. I found an old Russian teacher who had a studio at Carnegie Hall and got-back-to-work. Just a wonderful feeling... And I became a balletomaniac. (That is defined as someone who takes it to excess.)
Over the years, I got to meet dancers in most of the major ballet companies (ABT; the British Royal (Margo Fonteyn); Stuttgart; Bejart; even Alicia Alonso from Cuba). And I was frequently invited to classes and rehearsals when companies come to NY. And some solitary trips to Europe were very much enhanced because I always 'knew somebody.' And, of course, there is never a language-problem in attending a ballet performance anywhere in the world.
Even now, in my dotage, I cannot resist doing a few batements whiile cooking. And my extension over the kitchen sink is still presentalble.
My recommendation: go-for-it. It can enhance your life in so many ways.
