I danced ballet seriously for about 3-4 years when I was in my early teens. I quit and have danced on and off again throughout the years, but the last time I danced was almost 6 years ago now. I want to be a professional dancer - perhaps contemporary/modern or hip hop. Do you think there's hope?
2007-02-16 13:21:26 · 11 answers · asked by Jayne Anne 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
Honestly and truly? You're getting a bit ahead of yourself. Of course you're not too old to get back into dancing in terms of dancing for fun or perhaps aiming for a teaching career. But unless you've been training intensively RECENTLY, you really don't know if you're the type who must eat, breathe and sleep dance, seeing as how you're not doing it now.
Right now, you don't know what it takes to be a professional dancer, so how do you know you'd even like it? Because it seems fun and glamorous? Wait until you've been going to class for at least a year, training over 20 hours a week plus rehearsals, and dealing with the competition and politics of the dance world. Keep in mind that your competition is younger than you and has been dancing for most of their lives.
Performing jobs are scarce in proportion to the number of advanced dancers out there. They don't call open auditions "cattle calls" for nothing, as hundreds of dancers can show up for only one opening in a company. Dancers must live constantly with rejection. So please understand, they aspire to be professional dancers because they simply MUST dance, not because it is necessarily fun and glamorous. Of course they love to dance and it is their passion, but full-time dance is hard work.
So start taking classes at least 15 hours a week (with teachers who are/were, themselves professionals) and get back to us after a year about the possibilities of going pro, OK? At that point, YOU will know yourself better as a dancer to really know what you want out of it. If you can't find teachers who've had a stage career, then know now that you won't be able to train at a professional level no matter how much passion you've got.
That's the honest truth.
2007-02-16 16:24:50 · answer #1 · answered by Janine 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think being a professional dancer is a matter of age. I believe that it is a matter of passion and your ability to inspire your students and really make them learn your dance steps. I was quite late starting as a dance professor. I was first a social scientist, a sociologist, a professor... and my dissertation led me to dance and saw how beautiful it really is to dance. My passion led me to dance almost all day. Some call it practice. But I call it passion. The yearning to teach people to dance is not motivated by profit or desire for my own self-enrichment but a desire to share with them the happiness and wholeness brought about by dancing. I believe that no body has done what I did here in Manila. Perhaps, because of this, a lot of young people came to my class and enjoyed dancing with me... or with us. I am not only older than 23. I am old enough to be your father.... I am 42 and my students enjoyed their class with me. So, don't worry, you aren't that old yet to be a professional dancer. You can do it!
2007-02-16 13:56:52 · answer #2 · answered by Salsa Hermano 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
of course there is hope.i believe the only old dancer is a dancer that is dead. 23, hey your still young! you have some years of dancing experience so thats good. you just need to keep dancing.if you enjoy it then do that type. i would go with the modern because you can produce the most feeling through the dance to touch your audience.
2007-02-16 17:45:08 · answer #3 · answered by random and unique 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, people aren't considered to be professionally OLD in this business until approx. the age of 45-50 (Although the ballet average is 30 I believe)
Even after the ages listed above, teaching is still an option.
Besides, if you're passionate, don't let age stop you!
2007-02-16 14:54:29 · answer #4 · answered by Chris D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg your never to old to dance lol i wouldent realy know cuz im only 13 but ive been dancing for 10 years and theres been some teachers of mine that are like 35 and are still dancing even if you never have done it before and its your first time its a lot of fun and i think you should try it
2007-02-16 14:43:46 · answer #5 · answered by xx2fantasy12xx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, if 23 is old, then I'm ancient! Anyway, If you were that good 6 years ago, I'm sure you could get your skills back. If your talent is outstanding, then you will be noticed- whatever your age is.
Good luck. Pursue your dreams.
2007-02-16 13:28:04 · answer #6 · answered by Skinny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there's still hope all u have 2 do is keep working hard and don't forget that these days its not easy and competation is stiff. So U have to look really good with a nice body b/c they also look for how you look. Good Luck with your choice!!
2007-02-16 14:35:52 · answer #7 · answered by CooCoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whoah! I'm 40 and am I not old? I still dance! You can still dance definitely!
2007-02-16 13:40:12 · answer #8 · answered by adonisxxxhunk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can dance at any age and you ar enot old at all at 23, that is a lovely age!
2007-02-16 13:28:45 · answer #9 · answered by Vlado 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well ya 23 isnt really that old, old is like 40s and ya u have a great chance......- good luck tho
2007-02-16 13:30:21 · answer #10 · answered by lil devil 111 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋