Career Development Plan - Starting Ballet Late and Working with Pointe Shoes

by Isabel
(Brazil)

Career Development Plan - Starting Ballet Late and Working with Pointe Shoes

Hi! My name is Isabel, I'm 16 going on 17 this year, and I'm from Brazil.
Well, the history is: when I was 3 I started to take ballet classes at school because I was born with a problem in my legs and feet. Then, at the age of 5, I started to take classes at a ballet school. When I was 7, I moved to city and consequently to another dance school, but at the age of 9 I became uninterested because this other school was so bad.
Last year, I decided to go back to ballet. I took some ballet classes for beginners and this year I moved to the intermediary class, that works with pointe shoes. I've ordered my pointe, but haven't received them yet.
The problem is, now I know that the dream of my life is to become a professional dancer. I only do two hours of dance a week (one of jazz and the other of ballet), cause I'm in the last year of school and I can't afford to do more classes.
Next year, I intend go to dance college, but I don't know if it will be enough. I can't go to any other professional course also because I can't afford it, and there aren't any ballet companies that have schools like Royal Ballet School (and I think I would never make it to one of them, if there was any).
Also, I don't know if I have the body to be a ballerina. I mean, I know I can get thinner, stronger and more flexible, but will I have the time? My height is 5'25" (is this right? I don't know for sure if this is the equivalent to 1,60m) and my weight is 114,64 (again, I don't know if it is right, in Brazil my weight is 52kg).
I don't know what to do. I have to decide if I will or will not do the dance college, and I need to be realistic. Should I give up, or take my chances? Please help me, I really don't know what to do with my life.

P.S. 1: if there are any grammar mistakes, I'm sorry. :s
P.S. 2: sorry for the length of this text.

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Reply by Odette
To: - Career Development Plan - Starting Ballet Late and Working with Pointe Shoes

Hello Isabel,
Thank you for contacting me, I'm pleased to hear from you and find out about your story. I have a few friends from Brazil who are now professional ballet dancers, so I can relate to how you find it harder to find ballet companies in your country.

If I'm honest, it would be a challenge to become a professional ballet dancer now at your age. It's not impossible, but if you look at my eBook,
"7 Virtues of a Professional Ballet Dancer", you will see "Virtue 6: Time" and it is a crucial part of a ballet dancer's life to take the right steps at the right time. I know how hard it is for ballet dancers to make it, even when they are the right age after having years of training so you have to be aware it's not just your ability that helps you make it as a professional.

If you really do have a passion for ballet, I wouldn't give up your dreams to still pursue a career within this area. There is teaching in dance and academic schools, as well as choreography which all need the skill and love to dance.

If you need to make a decision, then look at all your options and see which path can lead you onto further skills. You always want to look at the big picture and see in the future you will be able to use the skills you've gained from college or school.

If you go to my go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page and sign up for my newsletter, you can keep in touch even more and I sometimes give my "7 Virtues" for free.

I hope this advice is enough to help you for now, but please do share your thoughts.

Best wishes,
Odette