please answer this question !!! BALLET?

Question

I know i've asked this question before but i keep forgetting to put the right information in. My eleven year old daughter has just started to do ballet and has been put into grade 4 she will be on pointe next year and will be in grade 5 in july if she passes can she become a prima ballerina if she practises everyday for 4-5 hours or so?

PS:i'm not beeing a pushy mum she has decided to do this on her own free will !!!! but i will support as best i can !!

Answer 1

Yes, you did ask this question before and I tried to point you in the right direction by referring you to "Ballet Talk for Dancers." The reason why I did this is because, since the pursuit of a dance career must start very early in life, it falls on the parents to become VERY EDUCATED about the dance world. Yahoo Answers is not the place to do that.

Not only can you not judge the quality of the answers, but your own use of terminology shows that you have a lot to learn about the dance world. For example, you don't seem to realize that the grading system in one style of ballet is different from other styles, so emphasizing your daughter's grade level doesn't mean much. Also, emphasizing the attainment of "prima" status instead of just wondering whether your daughter can aim for a professional ballet career at all is like asking whether a kid who's into acting can get an Oscar for "Best Actress." Only the top 1% of all female ballet students make it into a professional ballet company at the corps level. It's even more of a long-shot to make it to the very top.

Joachin Murrieta also answered your previous question. Please listen to him. We are veteran dance parents who have been guiding our dance kids for a very long time and have been around the block in the dance world. If you'd check out "Ballet Talk for Dancers," you'd find a cyber community of 8,351 people who are very knowledgeable about the dance world, including many professional dancers, teachers, and us veteran parents. If you keep relying on Yahoo Answers to guide you in guiding your daughter, I can virtually GUARANTEE you that your daughter WON'T make it as a professional ballet dancer. Please trust me when I say that I understand that you are not a pushy mom and that you need lots of information. I'VE BEEN THERE!

Answer 2

First, your daughter is going to have to want to be a ballerina and if you push her too hard, she will burn out and quit. It has to be HER decision. Age 11 is rather late to start, but with enough talent, practice and great instruction she could do very well. She will go on pointe whenever her teachers think she is developed enough. Ballet talent is usually seen very early in a dancer's life. Most prima ballerinas and danseurs were recognized before age 16 and usually just after they were through puberty. I am sure you are aware that there and THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of girls that want to be ballerinas. Competition is ferocious - most young women become victims of burnout, injury, or eventually have to face the fact that they have only limited talent. You will have to walk a thin line between motivation, support, but not building false hopes. I wish you luck. I had two dancers...my son's possible career with the a major company was cut short by injuries and my daughter burned out with help from an absolute ***** of dance instructor. Hope for success, plan for failure and keep the faith. Good Luck...

Answer 3

Whatever you do, don't let her start pointe so soon! You need to have years of experience doing ballet, so you can do all of the moves properly before attempting to do them enpointe. Plus, you have to have a ton of ankle strength, which is something you can't develop in one year. I was in my 11th year of ballet before I started pointe, if that tells you anything. Also, doing pointe at that age can not only hurt her ankles, it can actually damage her feet. Because the bones, etc in her feet won't have finished growing, being on pointe can deform them so that she could never dance again. I'm not trying to scare you, but let her be in ballet a few years before she even thinks about attempting pointe, and always seek the dance teachers recommendation to make sure she's ready. As for being a prima ballerina, so many people go into dance, and they get into the professional world and it's nothing like it was when they were dancing at a regular studio. Not only is it difficult to be really good, but in pro companies she may have to maintain a certain weight, dance for 6 or 7 hours a day with another 7 hours of academics, and it would just be really stressful. Auditions are also required for pro companies, and she would need more than one year of ballet to get in. Gently dissuade her from doing pointe until her dance teacher says she's ready, and also for auditioning for such a company until she's a little older. 12 year old girls don't need that kind of pressure, and it's not good for her, especially if she's putting that much pressure on herself.

Answer 4

I'm 14, and I've been dancing since I was around 4. I go to ballet 4-6 times a week now, 3-8 hours a day. First off, if she is JUST starting ballet, she shouldn't be on pointe any time soon. Her ankles will give out, since they are not yet strong enough. It takes about 5 or so years to get them strong enough. Second, she will have to practice a TON and dedicate herself to ballet if she wants to be pro. That's my goal in life, and I still have a ways to go, even after 10 years.

Answer 5

Lots of good advice given already. I will just add that no amount of training & practice will make your daughter a prima ballerina unless she has that indefinable 'something' that makes her stand out - star quality, if you like. That can't be taught. Also only a few dancers in any generation become prima ballerinas - don't use that title lightly. She will be lucky to become a professional dancer, more lucky to get to dance leading roles, & very lucky indeed to earn the title of ballerina. She will need all your support, so be prepared.

Answer 6

I agree that it is WAY too early for her to start pointe. I recommend most of my students wait until they are nearly 13. I was 14 when I went on pointe. Practicing a lot is a good way for her to try to catch up to other girls her age. There is a LOT of competition out there - she can do it if she really wants it, but it has to be her choice, and she has to give her life over to it completely. That means probably no school sports or after school clubs, very little time for friends outside the studio. It's a hard and demanding life, but if you really want it you will go for it. She is starting a little late, but anything is possible with enough dedication! Just remember that most of the girls her age have already been doing ballet for 8 years...that's a lot of difference. And good for you for being there to support her - she's going to need a lot of it!

Answer 7

Be a mom first, be sure she is strong enough for point, see a physical therapist who sees and treats dancers see what he said.
Then there is the fact she must have the build a pbd can not be the wrong size and no matter how hard she works if she is not God gifted that way there is no hope. I do not think 11 is too young, if size and talent are a natural AND she is willing to give up parties, dating and being social to peruse her dream. Then i wish you the best of luck and health. xoxoxo

Answer 8

I agree that starting on pointe so early will damage your daughter's chance of being a star ballerina.

It takes a LONG time to strengthen the ankle muscles and tendons/ligaments. Remember how long it takes to recover from a groin injury or other ligament distress (ACL of the knee problems) ? If it takes that long to recover, think how long it takes just to build it up for the incredible forces that are needed for pointe work. . .your entire body weight is on the 2 square inches of toe point. A lot! and if on one foot - double!!

Please consult a very professional ballet teacher (besides her current teacher) to evaluate your daughter's work and see if she 'qualifies' for this intense and formidable career.

Answer 9

A 5th grader starting on pointe is very rare unless your daughter is amazing. I doubt she is amazing yet if she just started so she really shouldnt be starting pointe yet. Also this really isnt a question to ask on Yahoo Answers. Somebody needs to really see your daughter dance after all of the practice.

Answer 10

i believe everyone has their own strengths. if u feel she is ready for point let her try, she may have problems with her toes at first. but if she dedicates herself she can be anything she wants to be!