Career Development Plan - Ballet and Performing Arts

by Mike
(Reading)

Career Development Plan - Ballet and Performing Arts

Hi, I would like to give a brief history of who I am, I am currently studying at college towards a Btec in performing arts, we study/cover many subjects including dance, I love dance and was introduced to ballet at an early age when my sister took classes as a child.
I study principles/subjects such as Jazz, Contemporary dance and choreography and Evan though I do take extra street dance classes I have always been interested in ballet because of its strong, graceful nature etc and being taught that it is the root of the many branches of dances out there.
And I can not decide whether to take the plunge and go for those extra classes as I am not sure about the leotards.
I was thinking of possibly doing ballet as an extra curricular activity as i am considering studying dance at Univeristy and I get overwhelmed at the amount of courses on offer and what the institutions at higher education want from someone; whether that be someone who has studied ballet all their life or someone who has studied dance for only a few years.
Having to write an essay on dance lead me to the balletdancersguide and I find it has great advice and guidance with articles for ballet dancers, thanks, I love reading your articles about improving ballet and try and apply them to my Dancing at college
Thanks :-)

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Reply by Odette
To:- Career Development Plan - Ballet and Performing Arts

Hi Mike,
Thank so much for contacting me, it is really great to hear from you. I particularly appreciate messages like yours where I hear feedback from you, as it is encouraging to know I am fulfilling my aim and reaching out to young and fascinating dancers like yourself.

To start with, I am very impressed by your background and high education in performing arts. It is great to meet someone who is so deeply studying dance. Anything you continue to learn or discover, I would gladly listen and love to hear!

It is superb you have the chance to study so many difference styles of dance like jazz and contemporary, especially choreography too as this can bring out your creative side as a dancer.
I understand you are hesitant to take ballet classes, but I say you should take the plunge. If it is the ballet leotards which are making you uncertain, this shouldn't be a factor that should hold you back.

Remember, everyone in the class has to wear the ballet leotards too so you won't be alone. Is there anything in particular I can help with? If you are stuck with choosing a style, colour or brand then let me know and I will help out.

If you are considering studying dance at University, I definitely suggest taking ballet classes. Ballet is such a huge part of dance in general and it can give you a greater understanding of dance itself. Therefore, it would be greatly beneficial to dig deeper into dance and look at ballet too.

In my opinion from the dance world, I would say higher educations would be looking for someone with as much experience in dance as possible. Of course it depends what you are looking to branch into such as teaching, choreographing, performing... but in a profession such as dance there is always more learn and discover, so the longer you study the better.

It is really great to hear from you and let me know what you think, keep in touch!

Best wishes,
Odette

ps. To become the best dancer you can be, learn the Seven Secrets ..... go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page