I want to become a pro dancer like for Dancing with the Stars...?

Question

im 14 yrs old and want to become a professional dancer. with no dance training, can i still become a pro dancer if i take classes? how long will it take? is there anywhere close to or in league city where i can take classes? i think it'd be fun to learn to dance. i really want to learn the ballroom and latin dances the most. soooooo do you know of any classes i can go to? please tell me. this is a big dream of mine so can you please tell me? : )

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible!

First off, let me clear up the definition of "Professional Ballroom Instructor". Anyone can become a pro at ballroom. Honestly. There are studio chains that will take almost anyone off the street and train them to become basic dance instructors within a few weeks. Professional basically equates to making money off ballroom dancing. Simple as that. There are a lot of amateurs out there that are better than many pro's. Note: Just because someone calls themselves #1 champion doesn't necessarily mean that it's completely valid, since there are tons of competitions where the quality of dancing isn't high or there aren't many couples competing and a couple can easily get high marks.

Your must first decide what kind of professional you would like to be. If you are striving to become a "Dancing with the Stars" quality professional, you are going to have to do the following:

1. Get financial (and feet) support. Talk to your parents and find out if they're willing to help pay for your dance lessons and dance shoes. The highest quality (comfort, longevity, attractive) shoe I've ever owned is by Ray Rose, but if you need something a little cheaper, go with Very Fines. Start from there. Some ballroom shoe stores and even instructors and studios give student discounts! After you get a dance partner and become serious, talk to them about costumes, travel expenses competition entry fees, etc. Ballroom dancing can get incredibly expensive, much like any specialized sport or art form. If your parents disagree in helping you, go to a YMCA or a place offering community classes for social ballroom dancing. It is definitely a good place to get your feet wet before investing time and money into something you may not be completely sure of. Also, look around at dance studios nearby. Sometimes, $5-15 can get you a social dance night with a dance lesson included.

2. Once you have money and the commitment, begin taking lessons at a studio. There are some places in NY and CA that offer dancesport academies with discounted rates to train children in becoming high quality dancers. It is very important that you are extremely selective with who your dance instructor is. I would not recommend simply going into a studio and asking for an instructor. The dance industry is not just about the art form, remember that some people's intentions are for the money. Also, every instructor varies in skill and knowledge. Perhaps, you could go to a dancesport competition and watch the dancers that you like and ask them where they get their lessons from. For example, long before Karina was on DWTS, I e-mailed her and asked her how she became who she was. Basically, do TONS of research before investing in a local coach. I've come across competitors with 5 different coaches, so depending on your budget and time, get the opinion of several instructors instead of just one. And in the end, find coaches that are a good fit for you.

3. Find a dance partner. If not, you may have to go pro-am with an instructor which is the same set up as dancing with the stars (i.e. amateur with pro competition). Pro-am will be an opportunity for you to train with a pro and get up to par with the techniques, so that you can eventually find a good dance partner.

4. Practice, practice, practice. The more mental and physical energy that you put in, the more you get out. Many of the serious youth competitors spend long disciplined hours after school practicing and have little time for video games or other leisurely activities.

5. I read in Scientific American that it takes10 years of hard work and practice to become a master at anything. I always apply this to ballroom dance.

Below, I've listed a few good websites for you. I hope this information isn't too much and I hope it helps.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Ok, you CAN become a great Pro dancer like on "Dancing with the Stars"- if you have a little talent AND put in the hours.
Being a great pro dancer is like getting ready for the Olympics. You have to have good teachers and coaches, and do the RIGHT practice. Just practice is not enough...only perfect practice makes perfect!
You will need to take many classes- and more important, many, many hours of PRIVATE lessons, learning what you are doing, vs what you should be doing, and making the necessary corrections by DRILLING the basics, then more hours of practice.
Figure 3 to 5 hours of practice or drill per hour of lesson.
The Pro's on Dancing with the Stars probably spent 20 or more hours a week practicing basics to get good- more to learn routines.
Dance masters master the dance, not the routine.
It takes plenty of hard work, but it can be done-almost anyone can learn ot be a great dancer.
Of course to be just good takes less work. Most dance instructors are not great, just good!
You could also specialize in One dance- a swing or hustle for instance.

Answer 4

Professional Dancer does not mean that you've never taken classes. I'm pretty sure the difference between amateur and professional in dancing, is the same difference as in any other sport. Amateurs compete for titles, not money. Professionals compete for titles, but most importantly, for $$$. Your local Yellow Pages will have listings for dance schools and classes, and you can always do a quick search on the Internet for dance classes in your area. I.E.: Dance Classes in San Diego. Also, go to a lot of dance shows, and watch performers. You can get tickets for Dancing with the Stars at www.stagefronttickets.com

Answer 5

you could try any dance studio in your area and take private lessons so that you are not stuck in a class with like 5 yr old's. I didn't start taking ballet classes until i was 13 (15 now) and i have just reached pointe.(on your toes) it really depends on how much you practice and how badly you want this. if I didn't have the determination that i have then i probably wouldn't be where i am. you're not too young and you could definitely make it one day. like i said, a studio in your area will have private lessons and it's no different then a regular class except you won' t be surrounded by 10-12 other girls, that way your teacher can concentrate on your technique instead of everyone Else's. I hope you find just what you're looking for and i hope to see you in the dance industry one day. who knows we might end up working together. god luck and i wish you all the best i can wish. happy dancing.

Answer 6

You should definitely start taking classes. 14 is not old, it is good age to start ballroom. To be as good as DWTS pro's it takes a lot of dedication, or a lot of dedication combined with luck. It takes anywhere from 7 to 10 years to become that good, or even more. The answer above says 1 year - yeah, you can turn pro in one year, but not the same caliber as on DWTS.

Look here http://www.ballroomdancers.com/Directory/ or http://www.accessdance.com/dance_lessons/ and find a studio near you, preferrably the one that teacher International Latin - they tend to have more intensive programs. Ask for teachers that teach competitive dance, not social dance. You might be lucky to find good group classes (i.e. fast paced and designed for young) but chances are you will have to take private lessons from the very beginning. In a year or two you should start competing and working your way up. Good luck.

*****Edit after reading some (misleading) answers

Professional vs Amateur in ballroom in US is not the same as any other sport. It has to do with the fact that Ballroom is not only sport, but also a social activity. The difference is Amateurs are not allowed to perform or teach for money if they want to remain in Amateur status.

You won't be stuck in a class with 5 year olds because children's ballroom classes are very hard to find in the first place. More likely, stuck in a class with a bunch of 50 year olds... In that case, look for private lessons.

I like what Glenn said.

Answer 7

The first couple seasons I watched for the celebs but beings as this year there really isn't anyone on the show worth watching I am now watching for the dancers which I have grown to love over the past couple years! I think that it has made ballroom very popular! They need to get a better cast next season!! Not all the has beens!

Answer 8

yes you can still do it...you'll just have to work a lot harder in your classes....make sure you start making connections now and if you can, switch to a school where dance is a strong extracurricular...when it's time to go to college, go to a dance college that's prestigious, like Juliard. But to get in, you have to have good grades, so keep up the academics too! All you need is a lot of hard work and perseverance and you'll make it.

Answer 9

Actually, my sister does ballroom dancing and this is her first year. All ready next year she is going pro. There is nothing wrong with wanting to fulfill your dreams and im sure you will find classes. Just look in your local phonebook and maybe you can find a place or my sister goes to Fred Astaire but i live in ohio so im not sure if you have that where you live. i hope this helped you :]
bella.

Answer 10

yes you can
if you are good enough in 2 years you can be a professional in latin or ballroom