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What can I do to make myself a better dancer?

What do i do? I really want to be a professional dancer but I feel like i'll never make it?

  • Hi, im 13, I weigh 103 lbs last time I checked, and I'm 5'3". i have been dancing for 2 1/2 years. I am taking every class allowed for my level and the ones under me and its still only 13 1/2 hours a week. Im doing a 3 week summer intensive with my studio. My main teacher is Yuri Grigoriev from Russia, he is an amazing teacher and I love him. I would love to make a living out of what I love and I am greatly inspired by Zippora Karz. I went on pointe within 1 1/2 years because I worked as hard as I could and my second teacher thought I was good enough. I love pointe. At my current studio, we don't do a lot of center work, im not sure if its because we have a performance coming up or if they just don't do center. I am taking one class with my old teacher on mondays with a lot of center though. I really want to make it, i just don't know how. Is there any way I can increase my chances? I want this more than anything ive ever wanted. I will listen to anything anyone thinks will help me if I think it is reliable. For my story please look at my website, Im hoping to have it help fund me, It has been difficult to pay for everything; DanceInspires.com Thank You so much!

  • Answer:

    Zhops is correct. You need to train in a real ballet academy to stand a chance for a ballet career. You need to go to summer intensives that are not at your local studio. If all they offer is 13.5 hours of training then this is not professional training even if you have some good teachers. You should have a strong enough background from your training to enter a ballet academy that offers you what you need, providing you have the body, facility and musicality for a ballet career. Ballet barre is essential for building a strong dancer, but if you don't work enough in the center that isn't good. It is funny, but I know of another Russian ballet dancer who also has very similar training to Yuri and she does the same thing where she teaches. In Russia years ago, you didn't choose to be a dancer they choose you. She holds her students tight to her class which prevents them for going anywhere in terms of having a chance at a career. If she loses students she loses money.Because she never wanted to be a ballet dancer but had all the gifts for dance and her family benefited from her going to ballet training, there is not the love of ballet there that would encourage you to advance beyond their classes. I think you need to go to another ballet summer intensive next year (auditions are in January and February.) You should also think about changing schools. You really need to get enough center work. A standard ballet class is 90 minutes with 45 minutes at the barre and the remaining 45 minutes in center and across the floor. Perhaps try to take some open classes elsewhere. I know you are on the west coast. In Santa Monica, there is the Westside Ballet school and they may have some open classes for you. You would have to contact them to see if anything is available. This summer Ti Peck and Robbie Fairchild from NYCB are guest teachers for their SI program. Ti Peck actually was a former student at Westside Ballet before attending the School of American Ballet. If you need funds for training, you could try IndieGoGo as it is a non profit fund raising website for the arts. You would need your parents help and approval for this. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects?filter_category=Dance I have known Zippora for years and years and I just spoke with her on the phone last week I think it was. That is why I had to answer this. She is an amazing woman and a good friend. Best of luck to you and I hope you can get into better training so you can follow your dream.

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You really need to talk to your teachers about this. You desperately need more center floor work and I am surprised that the school would advance you to pointe in only a year and a half with so little center experience. The best thing you can do is take summer intensives with the schools that feed into major ballet companies and hopefully be admitted into their year round program. You are too late for this summer, but plan on it next year. Keep in mind that many schools don't like to lose students and will not encourage you to go elsewhere. I am hoping this is not a dead-end school, but ont that actually has sent students off with their blessing to commplete their education and become working dancers. Best of luck, and don't lose heart.

Zhops

If dancing is what you like then work for it.... At the beginning of anything we always feel we are way behind or that we won't be good enough to make it. That feeling is normal....just don't let it conquer your desire to succeed...make sure YOU conquer the fear and insecurities :-)

Lola

Believe in yourself

Precious

Have you told your parents that you want to train more? Maybe they can help you get into a school for dance or a ballet company. I'm glad you love en pointe because so did I when I took ballet. if you want to do more center work as if you can come to class early (or stay later) to practice on your own. Right now because of your age you will need a parent to take you on dance auditions. Depending on where you live will determine how much there is to audtion for. If you live in or near a big city the possibilties are much greater than small towns. But you could still look around in your area for ballet events to see if they're auditioning. Check out dance magazines too they might offer some information about getting into schools and auditions coming to your city. Try googling the words "dance magazines" to see which ones you can read online. good luck and keep doing what you're doing - you'll find what you're looking for if you just keep asking questions.

mystical pippin

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