I have a 9 yr old daughter that wants to be a singer/dancer... how can i help her?

Question

she is a bueaty i have pics to prove it and can really dance.. she has the hole pop in the hips and can move a lot like they do int he videos ya know what i mean.. the problem is that i cant afford the classes that i think she would need to get somewhere.... what do i do? i feel like i am dissapointing her by not doing the things i should but still dont know what they are

by the way my daughter is a straight A student shes babysits for my 2 yournger girls while i work and she desperatly tries to find things she can do to help the less fortunate and is my sun on a cloudy day!!!

Answer 1

I really wanted to be a movie star when I was about your daughter's age. I begged my mom to send me to the kind of school like in "Fame," but we didn't live near such a school and she wasn't about to send me away to an expensive boarding school. So, instead, I got involved in a community youth theater group and performed in plays all the way up into high school. It served to satisfy the acting "bug." I also tried being an art "major" in high school for a year - an intense program where you prepare a portfolio for college. That program showed me that I wasn't the artist I thought I was, as it was tough to be creative on a deadline. I finally went onto study psychology and secondary education in college. Long story short, I lead a very happy life and am actually very thankful that I'm not a movie star.

I'm the mother of a college dance major and please believe me when I tell you that the life of a dancer is really, really tough. It is not the kind of life any mother should wish or impose on a child. Yes, my daughter started dance classes when she was 3 because she loved to dance around the house. But she also did Girl Scouts and programs at the Humane Society (with shelter animals) and "Pioneer Days" programs through the recreation department of our town. I deliberately tried to steer her away from dance to see if she'd latch onto anything else. But by the time she was about 12 or so (after participating in an intensive summer program where students dance all day), she knew she wanted to be a professional dancer. So I've continued to support her in that pursuit.

But my point is that your 9-year old really doesn't know what she wants to be at this age. Please don't feel bad that you can't afford extra classes for her. Instead, encourage her to take full advantage of all the extracurricular programs that your public schools have to offer, including being in choir, drama groups and learning a musical instrument. If you have a rec program in your town that offers voice or dance lessons, I'm sure they offer financial aid. Don't hesitate a moment about applying for that financial aid! In the end, there are many kids who go onto major in Musical Theater in college who never had outside, expensive classes. THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU HAVE TO IMPRESS ON YOUR DAUGHTER IS TO GET EXCELLENT GRADES IN SCHOOL. That's the way that she'll be able to get scholarships for college, which is the very best way to "get somewhere."

Please encourage the talents in all your children. Raise them to be strong, to be themselves, and to resist the pressures of youth culture. (Which means that focusing on your daughter's beauty is not the best thing for her.) IF your daughter does wind up going into showbiz when she's older, she's going to need to be tough and smart to deal with the constant rejection and basic crap that performers have to put up with. Give her a solid home life before she has to deal with that.

Answer 2

If you can't afford classes, look into getting her a sponsor. This is someone who believes in your daughter's ability to win! By winning, I mean singing/dancing competitions. This sponsor will pay for lessons and entry fees and if your daughter wins, their name will be mentioned as a thank you. If your sponsorship is a business, then this is good advertisement for them. However, you may want to skip that altogether and look into speaking with an instructor on setting up a payment plan or giving the lessons on a lower or deferred payment basis. Whatever you do, if your daughter wants this, you will have to work hard, and let her know that dancing/singing isn't always just fun and good music and moves. There will be days when she won't want to practice, because it's more than moving your hips and body to a good rhythm or singing along to your favorite song. It's strengh and edurance training, learning to breathe properly and read music, repeating the same eight counts of steps or four measures of music over and over and over again until it's just right, practicing almost everyday. But, like I said, if this is what she really wants to do, then you guys can't give up! And dance lessons may not be as expensive as you think at your local YMCA or gymnastics/dance facility. Vocal lessons are a different story, but you can always speak with her music teacher, who may be able to help you find a reasonably priced coach.

Answer 3

It is great that your daughter is talented and you noticed it and want to support it. I undersand that you can't afford all the expensive stuff, but I'm sure you can afford something. Help her whatever you can at the start, she might get noticed and she might get scholarships or sponsorships.

Look into dancing or singing lessons/activities at your community center. Maybe there is an after-school program in your area. It is very common that young dance teachers start out free dance programs for children of low-income families (my friend is runing one). Maybe there is a dance class that is hosted at your church. You shouldn't give up and assume that you can afford absolutely nothing. Any dance experience that your daughter can get now will help her in the future.

Answer 4

look into your community centre's, churches , Tell them your situation.
Some times your schools will have answers as well or steer you in the wright direction. she is young right now so anything will help her. At the same time open a bank account for her and but as much money you can in it for when she gets older to go to a school . also encourage her to participate buy baby sitting or doing odd jobs to add to it . it will show her responsibility and she will feel great that she participated in her future . we all don't have funds to just give are kids and the ones that really participate in there future tend to be grate people . If this is her destiny she will get there.

Answer 5

I don't think that she will become the next Britney Spears or that you are even trying to promote that. I think that guy has no idea what you are talking about and it stupid he even said that. I think that is sweet that you noticed your daughter has an interest in something and you want her to pursue it! My mother got me some dance videos that choreographers put out! it's fun because she can learn the dances and then get all excited and show you!! you don't have to have money and put her in classes to show her you care, just be excited and support her!!! have fun!!

Answer 6

Wow and my grand parents were trying to get me interested in chemical engineering at that age. Start by signing her up for dance class

Answer 7

Hhhhmmmmm I'm wondering if Britney Spears mom still thinks she did the right thing promoting her little girl? Why would you ever want this to happen to your child? How much evidence do you need to understand what fame and money do to a person? Let's see, we have had shoplifters, suicides, drug overdoses, flashers, serial divorces and murderers in the news the last few years. What part of that do you want your precious child to have in her future? Please Mommy Dearest, think this one over again.

Answer 8

Well what you can do is take her to dance classes and let her sing in Music Class and join Jazz Chior in High school so that she can improve and get very great and have fun with it. trust me it will work the maybe whn she is 16 take her to try out for American Idol

Answer 9

Take her to a dance/drama workshop,and tell her school of her interest ,they will be able to develop her skills and enhance her interest in all aspects of entertainment. look in your local paper for auditions etc. good luck.

Answer 10

teach her to play the piano first...it's great basic training in music, performance, stage presence, and can last her whole life when she may not have a very good voice or dance moves