Ballet

Question: My very first ballet class?

(Posted by: Soldier for Christ on 2008-11-30 19:41:26)

I am a 15 year old girl beginning ballet in a few weeks. I am 5'5 and 114 lbs (In case you need to know). I have no dancing experience at all, and I am kind of flexible and very athletic. I asked a question on here a day or two ago and got GREAT answers, but I forgot to ask these two questions. 1) At my first class will they have me show them my dancing skills (or lack there of in my case). And if they do ask me to, what do I do since I have no clue! 2) If I start ballet at 15, and practice a lot how log do you think it will take me to get to pointe. (I am assuming years but that is ok I really want this) Thank you so much for all of your help! Silly me...another question! Are dance recitals mandatory?

Posted by: Hey Juliana on 2008-11-30, 19:52:42

I had this same problem I'm 15 too and I just started ballet in January of this year They cannot expect you to know everything, because you don't have any experiance Ballet instructors are there to help you become a wonderful dancer & give you constructive criticism If you don't understand something, ask them, and they will help you I remember being extremely nervous the first day too But it turned out to be really funnnnn And about pointe I started pointe this summer and I have been doing ballet for less then a year It all depends on how fast you adapt Its okay if you do not get on pointe immediately It takes a lot of time and practice Pointe is extremley difficult, but it can be fun and rewarding If they do not ask you to go on pointe right away, don't be discouraged They are trying to develope strength in your feet and help prevent you from injury Anyways I hope this helps (:

Posted by: tigerlily on 2008-11-30, 19:56:51

1.) I've never taken a dance class where make you dance by yourself, unless you want to. So im pretty positive they wont have you do that. But if they do you can just tell them politely that if would make you uncomfortable. When you take a class usually everyone dances all together all the time, unless they have you break up into smaller groups. Teachers are there to help you and make you a better dance, not to make you feel uncomfortable or singled out. 2.) To get to pointe you need good ballet technique, and strong ankles. Just practice as much as you can.Tell your teacher you are interested in taking pointe, just so she knows and then she can tell you when you are ready. For me it only took a year of ballet,(i was 15 too when i started ballet) but i had previous dance training. It could take anywhere from 1 to 4 years. 3.) At all my studios dance recitals have been mandatory, because if someone were to not come to the recital it might ruin the way the dance looks, for example the poses at the begining or end might look weird if everyone wasnt there. Also if there are different groups doing different things, or if everyone does a move on a different count, then if someone was missing it might ruin it. *Good luck with ballet, it sounds like you have the passion so im sure you will do great!! Just give 100%

Posted by: alana rae ♥ on 2008-11-30, 20:06:25

Aw! Have fun, I think you'll enjoy ballet once you get use to it. Before your class I think you should brush up on the positions of the legs and arms at LEAST. Make sure you stretch before class, and they most likely won't ask you to show them anything. To get en pointe, takes a lot, and considering this is your first ballet class... maybe five years? Dance recitals, it depends what kind of ballet you're taking. Exam ballet, you take an exam, Open ballet, you dance in a recital. So yes, I'd say it's mandatory, because you're working on a dance that you will preform. Unless you're taking exam classes.

Posted by: foguths on 2008-11-30, 20:07:15

1)No, they should not, they will teach the basics and have you do barre and centre; if they do, they are not the best school. 2) It depends on how strong you are and how easily it comes to you. You need to have the correct technique and a lot of ankle strength to go en pointe. 3) At least in most studios, you do not need to do the recital. It is a good experience though, but if you feel uncomfortable, just tell your teacher and you can learn it with them and fill in when someone is not there.

Posted by: postureprincess on 2008-11-30, 20:16:13

1. I don't think they will ask you personally what you are capable of considering you are just starting. They could not do that in a beginner ballet class if you don't know. That makes no sense! 2.Well I started dancing when I was 3 and went on pointe when I was 9 or 10. So probably 6 or 7 years. It also depends on how much you progress. Considering you are older you will probably progress faster than a three year old. Just work really hard and you will be up on pointe soon! Yes dance recitals are always mandatory! It is where you get to show your peers what you have learned. That is what you have worked on the whole year; a dance for the recital!!