Is it too late to learn ballet?

Question

I have always believed that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and never give up! However, is it too late to learn ballet?

I have always wanted to take ballet, so last year (at 20 years old) I took an adult beginners class at uni which I will take again this year. I love the class! But, will ballet always be just a fun form of exercise, or can late beginners work towards grades and pointe like those fortunate to begin as toddlers?

Answer 1

You remind me of my younger self!
I always wanted ballet lessons, but my Mum was dead set against it.
When I was 22 years old, I signed up for a class in Classical Ballet at my local Community Centre.
The other members of this class had obviously been introduced to it at a young age. They were very snobby and justifiably gave me a hard time.
I found the bar exercises really easy, but I was a laughing stock on the floor exercises.
I was just so out of-synch! When everybody went up, I was still down. When they were all down, I came down a second later, sounding like a granma elephant landing on a veranda!
I was hopeless and I decided to quit. But, depite the ridicule the other girls deservcedly gave me, our teacher, who had been a famous ballerina in her youth, encouraged me to continue.
She approached me first, and asked how I felt. I told her I was quitting. She said "Don't. You have great legs for this, and you can work at the bar until you feel ready to do the floor exercises."
I quit anyway; I hated being laughed at and it seemed just a crazy idea ... but you know what, years and years later, I still use those those bar movements, whether I am iin the swimming pool or at home ...I quit but I came away with something I can always rely on.
My advice to you, is go for it!
Snobby girls might ridicule you, but you are so brave in fact! If you can cope with it all, there is no reason why not!
At your age, you will never be in the limelight or even on stage,.they start really young for that!
But, if you are doing it for your self expansion, then just do it!

Answer 2

Hi To Be Honest I Don't Know The Answer To Your Question But I Don't See Why You Shouldn't Be Eligible To Take Gradings etc. Your Dance Tutor Should Be Able To Point You In The Right Direction. Even If It Turns Out That It Can Only Ever Be A Fun Form Of Exercise For You The Fact That It Is Fun Is The Main Thing And Exercise Isn't Always Something You Could Call Fun. Good Luck In Your Quest For Dance And Please Don't Ever Be Put Off By Negative Answers.

Answer 3

Most dance careers end around 30-40ish. Some people have been known to have successful careers up until 50- though that is extremely rare. You can, and should, ALWAYS try new dance styles, and if you like ballet, have fun with it! It's not too late for a career, if that's your plan, though you would have to work especially hard in class. Many people do start ballet an an early age ( I started at 2) but that doesn't necessarily mean they will be any better than you once you take more classes. Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, I'm a bit over twice your age, and I'm starting an adult beginners ballet class, so my answer is "no" it's not too late.

Have fun, and work at it. and wish me luck, too.

I'm working toward a complex dream that incorporates ballet, ballroom and one other form into a single sport, and I have to learn all three foundations before I can even begin to learn the new sport... but that's my dream.

Considering the condition I was in when I dreamt it, you'd be amazed at my progress. I was physically disabled and unable to remain standing for 10 minutes when I began the dream. Now I can remain standing and dancing for two hours without sitting.

I've lost Significantly more than one hundred pounds, at this point I have lost more than my ballerina friend has ever weighed.

I am learning so much and having so much fun dancing.

Have fun dancing, as long as you are having fun, keep at it.

-EN-

Answer 5

You said you took "clases", and will start them up again..

Being a Ballerina is hard work, dedication and you dont just "take classes" and not continue on every day, or every other day...You must practice and have dedication to your life.

Now, its a great way to exercise and keep your body into fine shape. But, I believe that you are a bit old to go into a "show", simply because you didnt dedicate yourself when you were younger and will not be ready for a good many years.

Being young and supple, they shape the tendons, and stretch them, so that you can go on "point". You have to have great balance, and poise, and concentration for that line of work. Thats why they start them young, so that they are used to the rugged routines, of practise - practise - practise!

You being older, should only take it for the strenght, and endurance it will give you, and the shape and suppleness of your age group. You will be more flexible, and feel a whole lot better about yourself and what you are capable of.

Any Prima Donna Ballerina would not give you too much thought, if they found that you started this late, when it came to a "casting call" to do a show, unless you were really outstanding, and that my dear, will take a boat load of dedication on your part, so, its entirely up to you, and the endurance and pain you want to put your body through...

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 6

No it is not to late to start ballet. I my friend she is going to be 20 and she is going to be taking an adult class for ballet. So you are not starting late at all. Just go for it and have fun with it.

Answer 7

It would be too late to become a professional ballerina , but you could improve to a good level , if you are willing to put the effort in. It would mean alot of practise in your own time , as a couple of classes a week won't get you to that level fast !

Answer 8

It is never too late to learn anything. Besides, what are you now, 21? you are not exactly over the hill. So what if you didn't learn when you were tiny, your feet are stronger now.

If you have the dedication, stamina and resolve to become a Prima Ballerina - it is possible.

Answer 9

20 years is fine for starting out as a form of physical fitness but it's a bit late for considering it as a career (the peak age for a professional ballerina is 21).

Answer 10

Go for it, see where it takes you. Surely your teacher can tell you about whether you can work for the grades, etc, and if he/she is not helpful, then look in the phone book and call a local dance school that may be of more use for you to progress.