Career Development Plan - Classes for a teen beginner?

by Jenna
(Los Angeles)

Career Development Plan - Classes for a teen beginner?

Dear Odette,
I recently started taking beginner ballet classes at a local recreation center to get a feel for ballet and I love it. As far as ballet goes, I am a total beginner and will be fifteen in six months. I would love to go professionally, but I am afraid it is too late for me. However, I am still trying to become more involved in ballet and am looking for more serious and structured ballet classes for beginning teens. I live in L.A. and most vocational schools don't seem to have beginning classes for people my age. I am also looking for summer intensives , but they too only have beginning classes for younger children. I understand the commitment needed to go professionally, but is it too late for me? Where can I get good training for my age? Any other tips would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

-Jenna

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Reply by Odette

To:- Career Development Plan - Classes for a teen beginner?

Hello Jenna,

Thank you for contacting me, it is great to hear from you.

It is crucial to follow the right steps if you want to become a professional dancer. If you are determined to fulfill your dreams in ballet, then follow the personal development plan which are the gradual stages to becoming a professional dancer.

Yes, vocational dance schools do have high requirements and they will expect you to be a strong standard before auditioning. Therefore, if your aim is to go professionally, I would advise you to find a very good ballet teacher as soon as possible to get you past the 'beginner' stage and onto a more professional standard.

If you want a chance of becoming a professional, it would be beneficial to get some private lessons with a teacher so she can focus solely on you. You will have to research around your area to see where is the best place to get some serious lessons. Perhaps make a list of the dance schools near you and ring each one to see if they can offer what you need.

You would really have to increase your classes to build the strength of a professional, as it is the intense, regular training that is most crucial for aspiring professional dancers. I have known of dancers who train within their hometown until the age of 16 and then move to a vocational school to pursue a career in ballet. So it is possible!

Work hard, remember your corrections, push yourself and keep striving.

All the best,

Odette

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