Career Development Plan - The costs of becoming a professional ballet dancer?

by Holly

Career Development Plan - The costs of becoming a professional ballet dancer?

Dear Odette,

I started dancing when I was six years old, but it was only when I was thirteen that I began taking ballet classes; after my dance teacher recommended it to me. Ever since then, I have fallen in love with ballet and couldn't imagine life without it! I really want a professional ballet career but I am only able to take one ballet class per week as my family don't have enough money to pay for any more. I am worried that this is going to effect my career as a ballet dancer? Can you suggest anything to help?

Thank you Odette
Love Holly xxxxx

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Reply by Odette
To: - Career Development Plan - The costs of becoming a professional ballet dancer?

Hi Holly,
Thank you for contacting me and taking the time to look through my website - there are tons of advice here, so make sure you keep in touch!

I understand your situation and there actually many young dancers with a similar problem, because it is the cost and support which is often most hard to find when you want to take ballet more seriously.

Yet it's really important to take regular lessons and/ or be in a place of serious training for a chance to become a professional. I know, this means money, but you don't always have to be ultra rich to become a dancer. If you are talented, there are ways to look or find funding to help you train more, like with scholarships or bursarys.

For now, I would suggest the idea of trying to find sponsors or more people/ family to support you financially if it's really what you want to do. You could set up a blog to find people who are interested in you, or discuss with your parents and ballet teacher to let them help find a solution too.

You have to be determined to find a way and have support from the people around you. I hope these suggestions help, but I'm always here to guide you so please do keep in touch. Let me know your thoughts!

Best wishes,
Odette