Career Development Plan - School of American Ballet?

by Larisa

Career Development Plan - School of American Ballet?

How can I get into the School of American Ballet? I go to a small studio in California that focuses on jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, etc. But my main focus is ballet, and I REALLY want to audition for SAB, and my studio doesn't prepare their ballet dancers for that. Our training is far from professional, and my family just can't afford to send me to SAB if I got in. I would be willing to leave home for serious ballet training. I'm not exactly the skinniest girl on the planet, either, and SAB searches for that one body type, that certain technique, and I'm don't think I have what it takes. Any tips and advice to improve my technique, expand my resume, get my name out there, and get noticed?


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Reply by Odette

To:-Career Development Plan - School of American Ballet?

Hello Larisa,

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

Firstly, it highly depends on your self-motivation to how you succeed in becoming a professional ballet dancer. The Seven Secrets, on the 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page, will give you the key answers of how to thrive in the ballet world.

To begin with, it depends how old you are. Professional dancers can start training from the early age of 11 right up until they are 18. Therefore, ask yourself, is there still time for you to begin serious ballet training? If the answer is yes, then take a look at my Personal Development Plan. This will show you the gradual stages to becoming a professional dancer.

Think about this quote-

“To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping."
This means, even though School of American Ballet may be your dream, you have to take gradual steps in order to achieve it. Therefore, if you do you really want to join SAB, perhaps you would need to start some more serious ballet training before you audition. This way, you have more of a chance of getting in.

I am advising you to try and find another studio that will let you focus more on ballet. Have a good search around your area to see where is the best place for you to go. Even if it means getting private lessons, you will need a good teacher to help you fulfill your ballet dreams.

All the best,

Odette