Career Development Plan - Convince Parents for Ballet

by Laura

Career Development Plan - Convince Parents for Ballet

Hello Odette, I am having a problem. Well, i am 13 years old and did a little ballet as a toddler. As a little kid, i soon lost interest. However, now, i have no other wish then to become a professional ballerina. I believe i am a little bit too old, but i want this more than anything i have ever wanted in my entire life. The biggest problem is, my parents will not enroll me in classes. They don't think i want this enough and my time is trickling away. I believe i will regret it for the rest of my life if i don't start soon. How should i convince my parents? Please help me!

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Reply by Odette
To:- Career Development Plan - Convince Parents for Ballet

Hi Laura,
Thank you for contacting me, it is always great to hear from you even when you are in need of desperate help!

Well, the support of your family is one of the most important parts in becoming a dancer. You need so much help through the process, it is financially expensive and also you need the people close to you to be there for you through all the tougher times.

Try sitting down and explaining to your parents your determination to become a dancer and tell them how you really feel. Every dancer has to start somewhere, so even if it is just classes a few times a week to get you started you can then see where it leads to.

I must tell you though, it is very hard to become a professional dancer and you must be totally committed with the best teachers and training you can find.

I also began ballet as a toddler, but stopped and started again at aged 8. I took ballet more seriously when I was 11 and joined a vocational dance school where I trained and lived away from home for seven years.

Although my parents never had lots of money, I managed to get scholarships to support me financially and I see now how much my family gave me the support I needed. My mum visited me on weekends, my dad talked on the phone to me for hours and I had all their full support which is really important.

Throughout my time at a vocational ballet school, there were many talented dancers joining at all different ages and even as late as 16. The dancer's that joined in later were studying at their local dance school and took the decision to take it even more seriously at a proper training school.

Anything is possible in the life as a dancer, but you need many factors to help pursue a dream to become a professional. You need training, talent, hard work, teachers and the crucial support of your family.

Whatever happens, even if you dedicate yourself to dance you must also stay committed to your school work too.

I do not blame your parents for not being so eager for you to become a professional dancer, as it is an industry that many people feel is more unpredictable. However, there is no harm in letting you try ballet classes so you can enjoy the fulfillment and know that you did your best to become a great dancer whether professional or just as a hobby.

Have a think and let me know if you need any more help.

Best wishes,
Odette

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