Hello! I just have a question regarding which classes I should be taking as a teen beginner (I'm 17) I took ballet when I was 3 or 4 for about a year, then again when I was in 2nd grade for about half a year. My freshman year of high school, I signed up for Dance I at my school, and decided after that year to continue with Dance II. In Dance II, we would generally do ballet once a week. After I completed my Dance II year, I decided to audition for the Company at my school and successfully made it in We do ballet once a week unless we're preparing for some performance or concert. In October, I started taking ballet in a studio outside of school in order to progress faster. I was placed in a Level IIB/III class, which is a pre-pointe class. After consulting my school dance teacher (I did not talk to my studio teacher yet because I feel more comfortable talking to my school dance teacher since she knows me better), she said if I added 1 or 2 more 1 hour or 1 and 1/2 hour classes, I may be able to go en pointe by next year sometime. However, I'm not sure whether I should just take more Level II/III classes, or if I should just add the teen ballet class in order to make my beginner "foundation" skills stronger. Would it be best to take the teen class along with two other Level II/III classes? I'm not looking to push myself or rush myself in order to go en pointe; I understand that it takes time. But I would like to be able to move up a level so I'm with girls my age instead of 8 and 9 year olds. Thank you

I think you are definitely on the right track. It typically takes 3-4 years of training before you go en point, and you need to be getting to class at least 3-4 times per week. But WHICH specific classes to take to meet that goal --- that is a question your teachers would be able to give the best advice on.

Thank you very much

In my view, a foundational class would be best at this stage because without a firm foundation, pointe will be very hard. I'm finding this out even after years and years of training. I have had some bad habits ingrained over the past few years. I've gone back to a beginner class twice a week (in addition to all my other classes) so that I can work on those foundation issues and try to change those bad habits.

If you can add two classes, make one of the lower level and work on holding your center (core) and hip placement throughout the exercises.

That sounds like a good plan; thank you!