Am I too late??

Question

I am 13 years old. I have been studying modern. jazz and hip hop for 8 years in New York. I have recently moved to Florida and I have just started Ballet and Lyrical. They have told me that I am really good and I am in Level 4 out of 5 in all of my classes. Once I reach Level five, which is a few double pirouttes and susu's later. I will qualify for the competition team. Then maybe, just maybe, if I try really hard I can be in Pointe. There are 12 year olds in my dance school that take Pointe and sometimes I feel really out of place. I also go to a middle school of the arts and I'm on there dance program as well. I'm on their performance team and have been invited o their out-of school recitals. They say I look like I have been dancing for years,and I recieve straight A's, but I don't cease to be concerned. Should I? I want to be involved in dance in my future and with high school and everything coming up soon, I'm not beginning to worry, I'M BEGINNING TO PANIC!!! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You have NOTHING to worry about.

The first thing to know is that you are only THREE YEARS late, not more. The great Russian ballet schools won't even accept students until they are 9 or 10 years old, because they know that starting serious ballet any earlier won't make a person a better dancer, and in fact it may do harm. So you haven't missed out on very much, really.

In fact it's even better than that, because you've already developed strength, flexibility, musicality and rhythm equally as well as your ballet classmates, from your modern jazz. That means you have only three things to catch up on: learning the steps (which is easy for you, with your dance-trained mind!), turnout, and pointe work.

I'm sure your teacher has already given you exercises to improve your turnout. Your feet should already be pretty strong from jazz, so I'm surprised that she isn't thinking of putting you into Pointe class earlier. Do lots of releves and poses, and remember that what keeps you on your toes is not your feet, but how well you pull up your leg muscles. Practice until you can stand rock-solid on one foot on demi-pointe.

Sure, high school may mean you have to reduce the hours you devote to dancing, but you have established such a good foundation that I'm sure you will have no trouble continuing to make progress. Good luck!

Answer 2

well first off, congratulations with your off the hook dance skillz!!! and i totally know how you feel. it's the same with swimming for me. during the summer i swim for a community swim team but here are these 10 and 11 yr olds that can kick my tail!! but i say to myself, this is only my second year on the team!!! Rome wasn't built in a day what makes me think i can just stroll right in here and be the best automatically? What right do i have to be the best when they've been swimming for 5 or 6 years and i've only been swimming for 2? The same thing applies here. These girls have probably been doing ballet and lyrical their whole lives and nothing else so of course they're going to be really good at it. but you've been doing a different style for the past 8 yrs and that was all you knew. the fact that you can qualify for Pointe so soon after picking up a different style of dance just goes to show how talented you are. when you see the younger girls doing Pointe, just think of yourself as getting a late start, how can you be good at something that you haven't practiced? Just think, it took these girls several years to get where they are now and they've been doing the same style for probably their whole lives. whereas you can come to this school and after a few years to their level. Don't panic at all. Quite the opposite really, celebrate your success and congratulate yourself on your rapid progress. Then get right back out there, nail your double pirouettes,a dn make Pointe if that's what you want to do.

Answer 3

Evidently, you were born with natural talent. Don't rush things. You can actually start on pointe too early. Listen to your teachers and pace yourself. I was burnt on dancing by the time I made it to high school. I decided to quit because of all the competitions and classes. Well, after a year I was back but I hate that I had reached a point to where I thought I needed to be the best and couldn't stand to watch someone else do something that I couldn't. Take your time and go at a good steady pace. Your teachers will let you know when the time is right for pointe. I lose a lot of students because they think that ballet is boring - I can't get them to understand that it takes years of barre and floor work for them to inch their way up to wearing pointe shoes. And even then, they will still always do the "boring" barre work and such.

Good luck and hang in there!

Answer 4

Take negative comments as challenges.

I took ballet at the age of 21. I taught dance to kids while taking the class and earned more than the amount I spent for the it.

Who do you think got more negative feed backs from others? A 21-yr-old or 13-yr-old ballet beginner? You or I?

As long as you didn't ask for their opinions or advices you have the choice not to internalize their words.

Cheer up! Dancing is having fun!

Answer 5

Everyone learns at a different rate. Also, if you're not psychotic about it like many are, you have no reason to be at that level yet! I once knew a girl who would spend at least 4 hours each day (after school, before school, on the weekends) in dance class. It's just unhealthy. Keep working, and you'll be fine!

Answer 6

whoa!!!why are you so panic worried, you've been studying dance for 8 years!!!! thats a lot, it sounds like youre set!!! and if you have a lot of natural talent for dancing all you have to do is improce on some spots that need improving, keep a positive attitude and jsut do it!!!
and if you think that practicing with ppl a year younger than you...try this one!!! im 15 and i went to an ice skating class that was filled with littel kids from 3-7 years....talk about not fitting in lol....it was awkward so i didnt continue,but they said that i had talent for it.....but i now that im way to old to start learnign now, sadly, i really love the sport *sigh*.....oh well! it really sounds like you are doign great, keep up the good work and i hope you make it far!!!!!!

Answer 7

Don't Panic. You're doing fine. You're going to be involved in dance for many many years to come.

I am too, just not as a career, but I'm still going to have fun with dance. I just started Ballet two weeks ago, and I'm over 40 years old.

-EN-

Answer 8

I would say, if you love it, you should go for it! But, you always have to remember one thing when you are in dance or athletics - ONE injury can end your career at any moment. So, first you have to always take care of yourself very, very carefully. And second, you have to have a backup idea about how you are going to live if something happens. Two of my kids were talented enough to think about professional careers in music. Without me saying anything, they both decided to become Drs and to do music for fun. They are both really happy.

Answer 9

It doesn't matter, if your a natural,
I'm 16 and started 3 years ago,
and i will start at ABC next year
You can achieve a lot If your good

(wrap your toes if you make pointe,
and form your shoes with your toes wrapped
It will save some skin & cushin in the long run!)

Answer 10

I'm jealous of you....you go to an arts school!!! You sound REALLY good. What are you worried about? You'll do great! just keep working hard and don't give up on what you love!