Are you ever too old for ballet?

Question

i was told by some people that taking ballet past a certain age is pointless since we'd never get the same amount of training as someone who started at a young age... is this true?

Answer 1

no not at all i just started a few years ago when i was 28....go for it

Answer 2

the reason they say that is because before the age of 5 the ligaments and joints are still very soft, and can be stretched and shaped into the way the teacher wants. The earlier you start, the more ingrained the training. Same idea as "can't teach an old dog new tricks" a young dog is much easier to train, but you must have a good trainer. However, that being said, if you have the strength and flexibility from other activities, such as gymnastics or track, it is an easier transition. Ballet exercises were used by armies before they were used by dancers (for riding horses), so those kinds of exercises will train your muscles to build mass, and that is what you want. Muscle cells become thinner with age, but keeping fit actually helps your muscles and bones stay strong into old age. What you don't use, you will lose, as my old mom used to say.

Answer 3

"pointless since we'd never get the same AMOUNT of training as someone who started at a young age"

yes this is true. they started ballet at a younger age than what you probably are so they will have had more training; maybe not all intense training whose goal is to make that person into a dancer, but still they will have had more training

if you meant to ask about the QUALITY of the training then that depends on your studio and how dedicated you are to becoming a professional dancer. i would say about 99.9% of profesional dancers have started dancing at least before they were 18. there are some proffessionals who are 16 years old and most are in their 20s or 30s. Most ballet careers are short and most dancers retire in their 40s.

in summary: yes, you will get less training. you probably will not get as good quality training as someone who started earlier at a good studio and who is aiming to become a professional dancer either- unless you are young (for a dancer like 19 or under {i would say 19 is max age for starting ballet and being able to become a proffessional}) sorry.

hope this helps

Answer 4

I am an experienced ballerina.
I should know this.
here:

You mostlikely will not become a professional ballerina if you start at an older age.
I do not know how old you are....
but if you are between the ages of 17-25.... you stil have a tiny chance.
that is, if thats what you want from being a dancer.
I f you just want to.....because youve always wanted to be a ballerina, then there is noooo age limit.
well.
i guess there is if you are.....id say 35 or over.
you can still do ballet past that, it will just take SUCH a bigger toll on your body.
A great thing about doing ballet is that if you dont have sagging arms yet, doing ballet and holding your arms strong will prevent saggy arms in older years.
of course, not competely, but it will greatly help.
as i said before, it doesnt matter what age you are though, THERE IS NOOO LIMIT.

Answer 5

There is a story of a young pool shark who was approached by a gang boss that he beat asking how long it would take to get as good as the kid. The shark said it would take ten years practicing 4 hours a day. The boss said that the kid wasn't old enough and the kid replied that he practiced 12 hours a day.
The problem with transferring this to ballet is that too much practice can destroy or damage growing joints without time to recover.
A practical analysis would be to look at the natural skills of the aspiring dancer and see whether enough flexibility and strength (and determination) are there to make up for the lost time. At least some of the "training" of young girls has got to be done over and over because their bodies are changing and the have to learn anew how to use them.

Answer 6

You can start at any age it might require a bit of training to catch up but it doesn't matter as long as u put effort into it (just don't think the same year u start u will be on point)...i started when i was 11 and other people in my class danced since they were like 3 and im one of the best dancers in the class

Answer 7

to join a ballet company, its very strict and ballet is such a close minded type of dance but all dancers need ballet because everything is fed off of ballet but anyway yes there is a certain age (height, wieght, shoe size, breast size...) that companies will stop at but if you love ballet take classes and stuff don't let anything stop you from doing what you love you just probably after a certain age won't be able to try out for a company or make it your career.

Answer 8

You're never too old for ballet! At my dance studio they have adult classes as well as "baby" classes. We have all ages! A studio nearby you might have the same options. I would suggest taking ballet, no matter what your age is! Ballet is something everyone should experience. Ballet is my life!

Answer 9

well my ballet days are over,can fit in a 2 2 now need a 6 6

Answer 10

You are never too old to take ballet lessons and benefit from it. However, if you expect to be a professional ballerina and are 14 or older, you chances are really remote. Many are called, but few are chosen.

Answer 11

lol! no your never to old for ballet, I take ballet classes and so does my ballet teacher, she is my teacher but she stills take ballet classes and she is in her 40's. There is a saying that says, your never to old to follow your dreams, its never too late to follow your dreams!