I am a natural dancer and danced ballet and tap when I was young. My mum was a ballroom champ and I always wanted to do ballroom but I didn't have the courage. I'm 23 now and wonder if I have left it too late. Like I never really learnt but everyone says I have massive potential. I'm just wondering is it even possible to learn and get into national titles before I'm 30 or have I stuffed it up..:(?
2007-03-10 15:10:20 · 7 answers · asked by Girl Goes Back To The Future 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
No it is not too late for you to start ballroom now and get to National rankings before you are 30. It takes about 5-7 years for adults to get to Championship level if they train consistently with good teachers and if they have good stable and productive partnership. However, once you get to the quarterfinal of Championship the competittion gets much stiffer. At that point, it is hard to tell if one will continue to go forward or they max out no matter how early they have started.
You should definitely try it, dancing is a lot of fun, competing is even more fun.
One of my teachers picked up ballroom when she was in college. You can imagine that she turned pro a bit later at a more mature age. So it is possible to compete and do well even at Professional level.
Since you say your mom was a ballroom champ she will help in selecting a good studio and teacher. You already have an advantege over an average person who will go by trial and error. She will help you with selecting shoes and all other stuff too.
Oh, yeah - there are 2 options - amateur competition and Pro/Am competition. Amateur is when you find an amateur partner for yourself and a coach/teahcer for the two of you. Teacher trains you, then the two of you compete. Amateur is a much cheaper option since you practice with your partner and don't pay him anything for his time (other than your own presios time) In Pro/Am, your teacher is your partner. You pay him per hour. I don't think there is such thing as National Ranking in Pro/Am, but there definitely such a thing in Amateur Campions or Professional Champions (when both partners are Pro). Which is not to say that Pro/Am is a bad thing - you still get your training, and it is pretty efficient. It is just when you want the title you will have to go do Amateur or Pro. My friend danced Pro/Am for many years, but when the opportunity came she turned pro and won a National title in Pro division.
As for shoes, a good pair will last you a year or so (yeah, professionals get a new pair for every show because old pair gets dirty, but you are far from that ... yet. ). British and Italian brands are far better than American brands. Good sites to visit: http://www.danceshopper.com
http://www.dancevision.com
http://www.ballroomdancer.com
http://www.dancesport.uk.com
http://www.usabda.org
http://www.ndca.org
2007-03-10 16:34:50 · answer #1 · answered by Snowflake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should never let your age, race, or religion keep you from dancing! There is no, "right" age. Sure, it would be easier if you had started when you were 2 (kids that do that end up with a real passion for it and usually end up being instructors and trainers). At the studio where I take lessons, there are little 3 year olds dancing, while some people that take lessons are around 88!! Plus, there are several woman that are a bit big, people that you wouldn't expect to find ballroom dancing, but once you try it, you will LOVE it.
Since you have done ballet and tap, that will help! You by all means can start ballroom dancing now and get some national titles. It will be a lot of work though, you will need private lessons with professional instructors (english and russian ones are the best in my opinion). You will need to take several lessons a week and really work hard. I won't lie, this will cost a lot of money. Lessons usually last 40 min- 1 hour, and real professional instructors cost a lot. Dance shoes will cost around 100 dollars, and to keep them in shape, professional dances get them changed every 4-6 weeks, plus the dresses you will need for national competitions cost a lot!
For prices on lessons, it depends. They might be around 70-100 dollars per lesson, depending where you dance.
You want to remember, no matter what, you should be comfortable with your instructor. If you feel a bit unsecure at first, that is fine because your bodies are going to be close, but over the course of several weeks and months, you shouldn't feel so uncomfortable, it should be enjoyable!
Oh, and for shoes, start out with a small heel and work your way up until you get comfortable!
Good websites!:
http://www.capeziostore.com/Dancesport-c322.html
http://www.dancesportballgowns.com/
Good luck and remember to always have fun!
2007-03-10 23:42:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I started teaching Ballroom dancing when I was 18, I now travel around the US competing. I know many fem's who start in there 20's and compete professionally. There are many US Champs who are older. Take Bob Powers and Julia Gorchakova, they are friends of mine and were 14 time US Champs. They just retired and Tony Dovolani (Dance with the Stars) just took their ranking. But Bob is in his 40's...40's and the 14 time US Champ! Same with the Smooth champs..They are 30's
2007-03-11 12:43:06 · answer #3 · answered by Drake 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not too late to dance, ever, but i'm not so sure about the national titles... but, someone has to do the impossible before it becomes possible!
good luck!
2007-03-11 12:08:56 · answer #4 · answered by scarlett 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not late you still have those years left.
2007-03-11 09:11:49 · answer #5 · answered by KC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its never too late!
2007-03-10 23:17:38 · answer #6 · answered by GINGER2076 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2007-03-11 15:45:47 · answer #7 · answered by hbanana12492 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋