Can a woman ever be TOO old to learn to dance professionally?

Question

How about a woman in her late 20's? Are there any particular challenges at this age?

Answer 1

You mean, you would only START learning to dance right now, in your LATE 20's, with a GOAL of becoming a professional dancer? If this is the case, and you're not asking, "Can someone with over 10 years of dance training NOW start to try to apply that training towards becoming a professional?" then I have to agree with fallenangel: If you want to dance professionally, you HAVE TO start very young.

The young dancers of today are not like they were 30 years ago. The turnout for auditions - for everything from selective summer dance intensives, college programs, and professional dance companies - is much, much larger than in the past and the competition is much, much tougher. Before, when it was just tough to get into Juilliard, it is now tough to get into some 20 top college dance programs and more colleges are adding dance departments to their programs. Many years ago, only a few dance schools and companies offered summer dance intensives and now it's hard to find one without such a program. And most of them have waiting lists, along with acceptance rates of 10 - 50%.

The competition for these YOUNG, well-trained dancers (those who are in that top 10%) to find professional work is already astronomical. Unless you discovered the Fountain of Youth, you don't stand a chance. I know this sounds harsh, but learning to dance is not like learning to be an actor or a writer. We're talking about the aging process and the fact that there are VERY FEW professional dancing jobs to be had out there.

I also agree with fallenangel's noted exceptions. Please take it from one has observed the dance scene for the past 16 years, with the very LONG and BRUTAL road that a young dancer must take.

Answer 2

A woman is never too old to learn how to dance! come one bro give me a break, anyone can dance and become professional. Not to insult you or anything but a woman always has the right to learn and become better each day! At the age of 20 is a great age for someone to dance, dancing rejuvenites your self esteem!

Answer 3

It depends on your training up until this point. Are you coming from a spot where you have been taking class all your life or is this something new and foreign to you? It is not impossible to begin dancing in your 20's, but realistically becoming a ballerina is probably not going to happen professionally. Becoming a jazz, tap or musical theater dancer - more probable with hard work and lots of classes, talent and the right body. What the heck - go for it! I had a gentleman start tap dancing with me at 68. He never could do a proper shuffle, but he absolutely loved dancing and danced in dance recitals with me for close to a decade!

Answer 4

What kind of 'prefessionally'? You can start in your 20s and teach classes and stuff, but it wouuld be very difficult to be just starting a career as a professional performing dancer at that age. Meaning performing with a notable company of any status. You could still do regional stuff, not usually for pay, but most professional performing ballerinas are done before 30. They can still do some background work and if you are truly amazing, some specialty performances, but for prima ballerina roles, it's a little late to start.

But again, that's not saying you wouldn't be able to perform *anywhere* or that you wouldn't be able to teach. It's just hard to compete professionally with 19 year olds when you are 35.

But, that shouldn't discourage you from dancing if you love it! But before you make any type of life committment (like quitting work to train), you should have a professional evaluate you from head to toe and be honest with you.

Answer 5

I definitely don't think so. Maybe it is too late if you want to be a ballerina, but other styles are open for the taking. I took my first dance class when I was 18 and I haven't stopped dancing yet.

I'd say you can do anything with enough determination and perseverence.

Being an older dancer myself, I have been challenged with flexibility and confidence. Once you realize that there will always be people better than you, it makes your life easier!

Best of Luck!!

Answer 6

Yes, you are too old. Brutal honesty here. YES.

Everybody wants to be nice and say no, but the answer is yes. If you want to dance professionally, you HAVE TO start very young. It is simply a matter of training your body at key developmental stages. Mother nature is not politically correct. She is very unforgiving, and if you don't train certain things at a young age, such as hip rotation, you will never have it.

There are exceptions. Many professional tango dancers start late in life, as do professional ballroom dancers. However if you want to be a professional ballerina or theatrical jazz dancer, please don't delude yourself. You won't make it. Of course you can pursue these things as a hobby, and perhaps perform in local theatre. Anything beyond that is impossible.

I hope my brutal honesty helped.

Answer 7

I think if you are over 40 you may be too old. Your bones and muscles may be a little sore if you dance too much. If you are able to find a teacher, you are in luck. I doubt there will be any problems, because most professional dancers are at a company or on Broadway in their 20's.

Answer 8

I don't know what kind of dancing you're referring to, but my aunt did not start dancing ballet until her 20's, and she now has her own dance company and is the Dance Director at a large state university. She's now in her 50's.

Answer 9

If you have the dance in your blood never is to late to start dancing.Make your body and your soul dance ,this is the real dancing.

Answer 10

well if u mean ballet, yes she is. but i heard some crazy story about a lady 22 or somethin and still became pro.