its great to hear dancers saying 'never too late' because there are lots in the dance community who think if you didnt start at three, and start WELL at three, you've got no hope on the competition scene. Well ha to them, i was fifteen when i got my first split, and seventeen when i won my first solo...im 21 now and im learning there is nothing i cant do, if i want it and i work hard enough. if youve got the fire in your belly, youll get it.Dont be giving up.
lillia

Is it too late for me to make it big in ballet. I know all you guyz say its never too late to dance but Im talking about making it big in ballet which I know is a hard profession to get into! I have just turned 16 (today:)) and really want to be a ballet dancer, I do ballet 4 times a week and was wondering is it too late and if not what should I do? I know I should go to full time ballet school but think its too late for that also? Btw I live in the UK!
x

hello i wud like 2 start back dancing but i think its to late aswell but ive just turned 15 how old r u reply plz love nebb

For the person that's 16, that wants to go pro...

Soak in every little thing about ballet that you can.

Go to the studio for every extra class. Ask if you can assist in the classes for the kids that are younger then you, or the ones that are below your level.

Videos, books, everything.

And, every time that you have the opportunity to go to a workshop or convention, or competition, go! Learn everything you can, from every person that you can!

And, never give up!

Theresa

hi
no its never too late.
i have just started competitive disco dancin at the tender age of 34!
i dance with the istd who have an over 25 section.
i do linedance ( a set routine everyone dances not country and western), solo, pairs and teams.
i have 7 trophies so far.
my highest place is 1st in teams.
i take my 1st istd dance exam this saturday (15th may)
best wishes
sharon

This thread is great as I started dancing at 35 and I too have competed in hip hop, jazz and ballet and done well. I am trying to get into the teacher training program for the RAD.

Does any one, out there, especially Sticky, that might know hwere I might be able to get some of the teaching materials? or is there anywhere on the net that I can go and read? The RAD site doesn't lend any inside information. what about second hand books tores or something like that? I am interested in brushing up on the teacher materials. It is a two year program and I want to pass in the top percentage, and you only get that from hard work!

Can anyone help??

Its never too late...la di da....

I would like a teachers advice on this, please. I am 15 (16 in August) and am in Show Choir. I have been doing musical theater since I was 10 and Show Choir since last year. I have fallen in love with dance, but I happen to be a competitive swimmer. I have to swim throughout high school season (Aug- Nov) and then in the summer to prepare for HS season. I would like to start formal dance training, ballet to be exact. If I apply myself and work on flexablility, do you think that by the end of my senior year I could be an intermediate pointe student?

When of the other teachers in our studio is 17 and swims also. She has been dancing and swimming for what seems like forever. She like myself is getting ready to get on her toe shoes. Do what you can to make a schedule. It might be really hard and call for some very special calendering but if you want it you can get it. Remember alot of the work isn't at the studio but the time you practice and prepare your feet at home too. The answer is you can do both but be prepared for alot of work.

Although I'm sure you go the answer you were looking for. I can relate to you completely. I danced most of my childhood, I began at three like every other dancer out there, then I just up ad quit at age 13 I was going through rebelious don't want to be involved in anything stage. Then randomly when I was asked what I truly truly wanted to do with the rest of my life my only passion was dance. So with out hesitation I applied to college as a dance major. That summer I worked with a women who owned a studio and worked with me privately on some technique work and bam I went to school for dance, I was unsure at first but now I know my desicion was simply the best I could've made because now I teach a very successful program, teach and choreograph on a part time basis and soon I will be relocating to CA to persue my dream even farther. I'm so glad I stuck with my gut and went for it and I can only give you the same advice.

i know a girl who started dancing at 18 and shes 23 and shes a first dancer !..

As long as you are still able to walk? I saw some photos in some dance magazine recently (I forget which one - I get so many!) of people in wheelchairs dancing!

Never too late! I used to dance (ballet and a little bit of jazz) as a kid. Gave it up in high school. My daughter's been dancing for 4 years or so, and after her first ballet concert told me she wanted to do tap dancing. I said if she was going to do it, I would too. I'm now almost 40 and am taking my first tap dancing exam in a couple of months (I'm getting nervous!)

One of the other ladies in my tap class (not taking an exam) is the mother of the owner of the school. She does the BEST time-step combinations!

ok i'm 14 (i'll be 15 next month ) ... and i started dancing this past year at the beginning of my freshman year at high school...i joined the dance team at the school and i've learned only a few things, such as how to do a single pirouette (sp?), switch leap, single leap, toe touch...and i look at all these college dancers dancing and it seems impossible for me to ever being on college dance team since i barely have any dance experience....there's only one dance studio here and i don't think my parents would let me attend so...it sucks...but if i did attend a studio now, would it be possible for me to go pro, being (almost) 15?

All these posts are really inspirational!! I just started ballet and i'm 14. I'm working really hard on it. I'm not looking for a professional carreer, just something that i can improve in and be proud of!!

I'm glad you said something! Beacause if you look at the dance world openly, it's enormous and consist of all ages, ethnic groupes, religion and life styles! So...I don't know why anybody would think it's to late!!! Thanx for the great post!
*steph*

To anyone who worries if they are good enough, young enough or smart enough to dance,
There are so many styles of dance and dancing is vital healing human expression for every body! Just ENJOY it first and foremost-- the more you love it, the more you'll do it, the better you'll become.
I didn't start dancing till I was 20, and I wasn't trying-- I was a total klutz, in an acting program that forced me to take ballet. My journey through dance was that of the completely clueless. But now, at age 33, my choreography has had performances in 700 seat theaters.
There are many different ways of learning and many kinds of intelligence. Try lots of classes in different art forms. Never let any one teacher decide for you whether you are capable of dancing, singing, acting or anything else. If deep in your heart you love these arts, you can find a way to do them.
Read about how I changed from a Klutz to a Choreographer!
ashlandindex.com . . .

Im 17, and Ive been doing ballet for less than a year. I want to be a professional dancer, whether Im in a corps de ballet or soloist I dont care, but am I too old to be considered for companies, or at least schools?

I started at 18 and now I am teaching it. It is never too late!!

i know "it's never too late to start dancing", but i was just wondering if it's to late to do tap/ jazz/ musical theater at my age. i'm 13, i'll be 14 on 9/4. i started tap at a studio 1 month ago, and 've been doing musical theater for about a year. i plan to start hardcore training the summer before sophmore year. any advice would be great. please pm or e-mail me @ performing_arts_junkie@hotmail.com with your reply. thanks a bundle!

I am 24 years old and though nothing makes me happier than dancing...there are times I look around the studio at these wonderfully trained dancers that started so young...and I get so down on myself. Just the fact that this thread had to be started shows I am not alone...I love it!!!

you should definitely go back to dancing and overcomoe your fears because nobody is looking out for you but yourself

Hi, my nickname may be hip_hop_lover, but I'm really into jazz too. When I signed onto the advice section this was the very question I was going to ask, but reading all you guys' comments has given me tremendous hope. I've never had any training although I was on my high school's dance team for two years. Now I'm going to college as a dance major and I'm going to soak up everything I can so I can make it as a professional dancer. I have the drive and you guys have given me so much more motivation, so thanks a lot!

Do adult ballet classes typically have recitals?

Thanks,
Rick
asystoleee@hotmail.com
Baltimore, MD

I dont think so