Career Development Plan - Too Late to Commit to Ballet?

by Marianna
(Cork, Dublin)

Career Development Plan - Too Late to Commit to Ballet?

Hi Odette, my name is Marianna. Im sixteen and in RAD grade 7 and intermediate-foundation. I've been dancing since I was about seven years old. I love ballet, but I've always assumed I wasn't talented enough to follow my dream of being a professional dancer. In my ballet school's last show, my teacher gave me the main lead and I loved every minute so much. While I was dancing on stage I realised I had to at least attempt to have a dancing career. Since then I've been stretching and strengthening my pointe work really hard at home, but I find it hard to stay motivated when I don't know if it's worthwhile. Have I left it too late too really commit to ballet?


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Reply by Odette
To: - Career Development Plan - Too Late to Commit to Ballet?

Hi Marianna,
Thank you for your message, it's great to hear from you. Honestly, I have so many thoughts and answers running through my mind when reading your question. You have much to consider and it's truly why I spent so long writing my eBook "7 Virtues of a Professional Ballet Dancer". It gives you clear solutions and guidance on how to approach your dream to become a professional and you learn to see whether it will possible for you.

If you like, you can tell me which virtue you would like most. I often do a free giveaway to my subscribers or competitions to get the virtue you want! So, make sure you subscribe and go to my 'Seven Secrets of Ballet' page, and feel free to keep me in touch with how you're getting on.

For now, I would even just glance through at each separate virtue page because those are the main factors you need to consider if you want to become a professional.

I would discuss your thoughts with your ballet teacher and family, because if you have the ability and potential for ballet the next steps you take are really important to find out whether it is worthwhile for you.

At aged 16, it is a really crucial time to begin serious training in preparation for a ballet career. The decision may not always be in your hands though, as there's a lot of competition to get into a vocational dance school which you would need to consider to become a dancer. This is the next step you can look into and have a good reflection on whether ballet is really for you, as well as what other interests you are passionate about for a career.

Best wishes,
Odette