Needing Some Info for a novel.....?

Question

I have a sub character who has resently stopped taking ballet. Questions...

What Age do you usually start ballet?
How good would someone be if they took it relgiously until they were 16?
Are there different styles of ballet?
What are the names of some ballets that a teenager would have preformed in?
What is the usual height and weight of a ballet teenager?

Just want to make sure to do my research.

Answer 1

What Age do you usually start ballet? 4-6
How good would someone be if they took it religiously until they were 16? depends if they had any talent. If they're in a small company or student company the should be dancing in the corps de ballet my then. soloist roles if the studio is really small (or they're amazing)
Are there different styles of ballet? yes but one usually just distinguishes between contemporary and classical
What are the names of some ballets that a teenager would have preformed in? the top one would be Nutcracker It's usually the first ballet you perform in other than that it all depends on the company. another thing that a teenager would have performed in is many many recitals or student showcase gala's
What is the usual height and weight of a ballet teenager? I'm 5'5" and I weight 100 pound most dancers are a little bit taller than that though.

Answer 2

age depends on insistance of parents, family, etc. . . but my mother is a ballet teacher, and her youngest students are 2-4 years old

By age 16, if they practiced, like, 2 hours a day at least, they would be an average dancer. It's about skill and passion. You can practice until you can't stand up anymore (and I've seen it happen) but if you don't have a real "knack" and/or passion for it, then it shows in the performance. Is the character in love with dance, or doing it just because.

Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Waltz of the Flowers, Sleeping Beauty, Sylvia, Giselle, Masquerade

usual height 5''6 - 5'9'' weight about 110 or less

Answer 3

I started in kindergarten-ish age.

And ballet dancers retire pretty young so I don't know about the level of skill at that age --but I know they eat a LOT.

here's a page that might have helpful info on it:
http://www.dance4it.com/ballethistory.htm

and I would suggest setting up a mini interview with someone at a ballet school perhaps. Might give you the feel for the personality and whatnot of that life.

Answer 4

My daughter started ballet at four years old. She is now eight and good. I know that if she really practices she will be very good at thirteen. It is not unknown for a child at thirteen to be a prima-ballerina. At sixteen if she has real talent she would be a headliner.
One very famous ballet is nutcracker suite.

Answer 5

I don't know much about ballet, but can I read your novel?