Should I take advanced dance or beginner's?

Question

I started dancing at age 3, I quit when I was 10. But now at age 14 I've decided to join again. My teacher doesn't know which class to put me in, so its up to me. On tuesday I tried a beginner's class for ballet and jazz. I had fun even though I knew all the steps and stretches. And it helps me get better with tecnique. On wednesday I tried a more advanced class (ballet/ tap/ jazz), the same one I would be in if I never quit. It wasn't as fun and it was harder. Everyone was so serious and knew exactly what they were doing. I felt weird. My mom and teacher think I would be able to catch up quickly in the more advanced class, and I think I could too, and the challange would be good for me. But it's not as fun to me as the begginer's class. I don't know which class to choose! I know it's really all up to me, but id like to hear some other people's opinions. Thanks

Which ever class I pick, I have to stay in it for 2 years because the recitals are every other year. I'll only have 2 more recitals at this studio because they don't teach anyone older than 18.

Answer 1

beginners to brush up

Answer 2

It all depends on how you feel about dance. If it is just to have fun then take the beginner class. However if it is your passion in life and you want to go farther and use dance in your future go to the advanced. For myself when I was younger I always strive to be better so the challenge of the more advanced class was what I wanted. Even though these dancers were more advanced and I didn't always do well it pushed me to work hard to get that good. It also helped me watching them and learning from them. I think that if you have to be in the class for two years you should try the Advanced. It wont take long for you to pick back up and I feel you may get bored in the beginner class. I danced for 14 years then I took six years off and when I started back up in a beginner / intermediate class for point. I was very rusty at first and felt that I was in the right class but within a few weeks was at the top of the class and didn't feel challenged and wanted to do more. Especially when it came time for the recital. The moves were so basic I was embarrassed to get on stage and wanted to be able to show what I could actually do. The decision is up to you but if the teacher is giving you the option to go into the advanced class then she must think you could be at that level quickly and I would do it.

Answer 3

My first instinct is beginning. Even professional dancers go back and do beginner classes regularly because it allows them to focus on technique and strengthening, which is exactly what you will need.

However, 2 years in beginning is a very long time. There are no other studios that have more flexible options? Our local dance company re-evaluates every 6 months to year.

Because of the 2 year issue and because you have your teacher's endorsement to do the advanced class, I think you may be better off in the advanced class. Ask your mom if you can do both for awhile and then do just the advanced after a month or two. Or, see if she'll let you do a private or semi-private lesson every few weeks to help you catch up. : )

Answer 4

I'd take beginner for one semester (or whatever the units are) to brush up and catch up, and then see if I can switch to advanced.
**** (After your comment)
Usually, it is a good idea to pick it up where you left it, and that might be beginner.
Is there any way you can take both? Would that be too much? Is there any way they'll let you take advanced and prepare for advanced recitals while taking beginner's for technique?

Then it really depends on what are you planning to do next with your dancing. I'd try to lay it out so that I can go pro. You definitely want good tecnique for that. If you think that the teacher of advanced class will give you enough attention to get you up to speed, than go for advanced. However, if you're left to your own devices in advanced class, you might be screwing up your own dancing without even knowing it by attempting harder stuff without knowing how. Beginner, on the other hand, might get too slow very soon. It all depends on how much can you work and willing to work on your own dancing. Good luck with your decision. Stretch it out with taking both classes as long as you can or as long as you need to decide.

Answer 5

I would take the beginners class just to get refreshed and then when it's time to start back with enrollment for classes again take the more advanced class. I have taken dance and gymnastics for years and I kind of had the same situation as you when I quit when I was 11 and started back up when I was 13. It was hard but it all came back naturally. Gymnastics always was more my thing than dance though. I am 21 now and could still go tumble.

Answer 6

Actually, I was in a similar situation several years back, I had quit and then restarted and I got put into an advanced class. It was akward, but worth it. I think that if you really love dance and want a challenge then the advanced class would be for you. But just because you are in an advanced class doesn't mean that you can't have fun!

Answer 7

ive been dancing for 14 years, ever since i was two, and i strongly suggest to go to beginners. after a lil while when uve brushed up on everything like your leaps and flexiblity, ask your teacher to try the advanced class. hard classes can be lotsa fun, but really hard classes are frustrating. and you should go with something fun, so i think u should do the beginners for a while first

Answer 8

if you don't like the advanced class, don't take it! or, you can try taking both classes. trust me at your age, the more the better. im 12 and take 4 classes a week. being in a class too hard for you will only make you perform poorly. when you start to feel that the beginner is getting way too easy, switch to advanced.

Answer 9

I would take a beginners to brush up on what I missed over the years and then once that year is over for that class or whatever, then I would take the advanced class.

Answer 10

Advanced

Answer 11

I think you should take beginner's again. It sounds like you had more fun in that class. You'll be able to brush up on simple steps and perfect them. When you think you're more prepared for such a serious class you can move up to advanced.

Good luck and have fun! : )