I have a major problem -- I am completely in love with and obsessed with ballet, but last time I tried to take a beginner's class (where about half the class had never danced before), I get totally lost, much more so than even the other absolute beginners.

I've just moved to NYC and would love to take an open intro class somewhere, but I'm just so scared of embarrassing myself again. I know that it'll be the same -- flubbing steps, completely losing port de bras, and just basically looking dumb.

I know it sounds like a lost case, but I *need* to take a class. Does anybody have advice or recommendations, especially regarding good places to start in New York?

Steps has absolute beginner classes. I think the current series starts soon.

Joffrey Ballet School also has absolute beginner classes.

I would stick to absolute beginner classes until you feel more comfortable. I know some so called beginner classes move very quickly!

On the other hand, sometimes you just have to jump in. I know when I first started again, I felt like a fish out of water. I thought everyone else looked amazing and looked like they knew what they were doing. Once I became a little more experienced, I realized that was not entirely true.

I felt the same way when I started taking ballet in a studio. I was put into a Level III class for the trial class (which is composed mostly of students at least 7 years younger than me), but my first day happened to be a day where Level III and IV were combined...I felt so out of place and humiliated. I cried when I got in the car. But I decided to go back. I'm glad I did. I still have moments where I feel stupid, but I always try my hardest and just jump right in there. Teachers are there to HELP, not judge; always remember that. If you're looking for a challenge, I would continue with beginner classes. But if they're making you absolutely miserable and stressed, I would try absolute beginner classes like melissaga suggested.

Good luck!

I don't know anything about classes specifically in New York and am glad others are able to give suggestions. But I can say that in ballet, as well as other skills, you have to do it because you love it no matter how quickly or slowly you learn compared to other people.

It's totally unfair, but someone who happens to be gifted with the perfectly constructed body, balance, coordination, musical sense, ability to translate what they are seeing, visually, into a knowledge of the right strings to pull within their own body to duplicate it -- and so much more -- well, this person can in 2 months be farther along than a totally UNgifted person will be after 2 years. That's true of ballet, sports, chess, lots of things. But if you stick with it you WILL progress and, after all, you have the rest of your life.

So take classes at whatever level you need for as long as you need. The enjoyment is in the journey, not the destination.

Oh, and once you finally have a few basics under your belt, you should try attacking, and I mean ATTACKING, combinations, even if they are too hard for you, with whatever you do have. For example, if you can pick up only half the steps and almost none of the port de bras that goes with them, concentrate on the major steps while keeping your back and arms engaged so that your arms are at least in a controlled second position rather than flopping and flailing. That can get you through a lot. To make this second nature, at the barre try keeping your arms in an engaged first (or second or whatever is natural) between exercises while listening to the teacher.

thanks so much everyone! i think i'm going to just go for another basic/intro/absolute beginner's class and be patient with myself >_< i really appreciate the advice!

You need to find a good teacher with a track record with absolute beginners. My thoughts on this:

1. Try Richard Marsden and his "double barre." Marsden is one of the best few teachers I've ever met. And he has people in that class who were absolute beginners with him just a few months ago, and are improving tremendously.

balart.com . . .

(Marsden also does another double barre class Mon Wed at 10:30, I don't know where).


2. Try Helga Wong's beginner class, also at balart.com. She gives people loads of individual attention and teaching beginners is very much her thing. She was a "late starter" in her career, and understands well how adults think and learn ballet.


3. Look at the adult classes at Ballet Academy East:

balletacademyeast.com

This studio has an excellent adult beginners program (look at the "Introduction to Ballet" row in the schedule). There are lots of available classes, classes are small, and you get loads of individual attention. You even get a live pianist. One of the best values for the money in NYC. I have no specific recommendations on the teachers here, try them out see how it goes. I have seen some of them, not seen others.


4. I just looked at the Steps intro class ("Real Ballet Basics with KATHRYN SULLIVAN):

www.stepsnyc.com . . .

Kathryn Sullivan is a good teacher with a real commitment to beginners. The 6-session series begins today, so if you're going to do it, you need to get there fast. If not... the other options can work as well, with more scheduling flexibility (but it IS good to be in a consistent closed-class environment like this one). The price of $125 is a bit more than you'd pay elsewhere --- but if the class does what it's supposed to, it would be worth it.


5. I don't recommend the Joffrey School.


6. Peridance has an intro class, 9-10AM on Tue and Thr:
www.peridance.com . . .

I think I made it to his Open class once (MWF), it didn't really strike me one way or the other. If this works out for you, you could go to his class every day at 9AM within a few weeks if you like.


7. You can take Beginner Level 1 classes at Ailey Extension School with Finis Jhung:

www.alvinailey.org . . .|utmccn=%28not%20set%29|utmcmd=%28not%20set%29|utmctr=ailey%20extension&__utmv=1.source%3Daadf&__utmk=117029510

Finis Jhung is probably the most well-known of any of the teachers here for teaching adult beginners, and he has made a number of videos on the subject. I have never met him, but I would expect it to be a good experience, based on his reputation. The classes are probably pretty large. But that could work out well anyway, I'll bet has well-tested ways to teach beginners in a classroom setting.

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Good luck searching! I would expect that some of your decisions in the end depend on which classes fit into your schedule, and are located in a place convenient to you.

Greenpumpkin, can you elaborate on the "double barre" class? Is it just barre work? I am an on and off again returnee. I've taken only a handful of classes in the last 6 months, so an hour long barre only class sounds like exactly what I need for a bit. I was hoping to get back to class in the next few weeks, but was just going to do barre and maybe a bit of center to start.

You do a half hour barre. And then do another half hour barre. Then some of his students go do it all again a half hour later, for a quad barre experience. I recommend you try it, see if its what you need at this point.

oh wow thank you so much! i'll definitely look into these -- i'm especially glad to know about the joffrey school, because it's closest to where i live and i was considering it, but reputation is more important than location to me.

has anyone ever been to broadway dance center? i have friends that love classes there, but i have a suspicion that they're not the best for absolute beginners or for ballet.

Hi -

Just saw this thread. I don't know whether you called The Joffrey, but they have an absolute beginner class that started Jan 20th. The teacher is one that I've never taken, but I like what he has to say.

Here's the link for you or others wanting to take the plunge. Here's the class info:

www.joffreyballetschool.com . . .

And info on Dariusz R. Hochman:

www.dariuszrhochmanballet.com . . .

Good luck and please tell us how it goes!

And don't worry about needing more time to learn. We all learn at our own pace and it's nothing to get nervous about. I'm glad you're carrying on in spite of your initial difficulties.

Just keep trying! Try and try and try again! You'll figure it out. If it helps, you can try an at-home video where you can stop, pause, review and learn the basic steps without any pressure or fear of embarrassment. Then when you take class you'll know what to expect.

I sub-taught an adult beginning ballet class during it's first two weeks about a year ago. There was one woman who came about three times and each time she got so flustered and a little confused. But she kept coming as often as I think she could. I noticed her in the Intermediate-beginning class a few days ago and she was by fat the best. She is even a little older and heavier than the other adults but she was so graceful and had a natural love of dance that made her stand out. I was so pleasantly surprised to see that she had been resilient and kept at it.

You do the same, stick with it. Try to let go of the comparison game with other students. Some 'get-it' right away, some click later. Every student is different and you're dancing because you love it, so try to just go, do your best, and let the lesson sink in at it's own pace. If you stay resilient and persistent I bet you'll surprise yourself.
Happy dancing!

I know how you feel like. When I started dancing two years ago, I was in a RAD grade 4 class (not advanced), but it felt impossible sometimes - how did they remember a combination after just seeing it twice?! But after about a year, I realised that I had gotten much better at following; my body could follow it.
I think the only way you will be able to follow is to keep repeating, repeating steps. Keep attending the classes, and you will notice an improvement. The more you dance, the more you will learn that certain steps often follow each other (for example, glissade - jete, and your muscles will remember what steps feel like, so that you wont have to think so much about the step itself, but the setting of it (which steps are before and after it).
For now, I think you should concentrate on making your footwork clean - if your teacher doesn't object (most don't), keep your hands neatly on your waist or in a clean bras bras during exercises.
Don't give up!

Three little words, that serve me well no matter the challenge...

Keep On Dancing!

Take what ever absolute beginner class is most likely to hold your interest for at least a year, and no matter what DON'T SKIP CLASS!

It may take you longer than others to learn combinations, attain strength, flexibility, and balance, but tenacity is the most important component. Keep at it and don't give up. Really!

Good luck.

Keep On Dancing*