Career development plan - Where to Start for a Ballet Career?

by Eva
(Wales, uk)

Career development plan - Where to Start for a Ballet Career?

Hey there : )
I'm 13 years old , and I love ballet . I've been doing it since I was three , and I really would like a professional career in it. Infact , there's nothing I would like more! I'm told I have lots of potential , and I'm taking lots of associates classes . At the moment , I'm doing two ballet classes ( and one tap ) a week. It's all we can afford and have the time for , as I have two other brothers that also do clubs /hobbies . There are no other company's /classes near me , as I live in the middle of no where . I would love to do more , but it's near impossible . I'm told that this age is crucial , and need to start working hard if I wish to pursue a career in ballet . Ballet school is also a no no , we don't have the money , even if I did get a scholarship .i know I need to work hard , and I'm willing to , but where do I even begin ?
I desperately want a career in ballet , but I'm at a huge disadvantage , and I don't know where to start !!
Thank you for reading this , it means alot ( I love your website )
Sincerely , bashful ballet dancer :)

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Reply by Odette
To:- Career development plan - Where to Start for a Ballet Career?

Hello,

Thank you for your message, I’m glad you contacted me. If you really want to be a ballet dancer, than a ballet school will eventually have to be a possibility for you. You say you know you’ll need to work hard, but worried where you’ll begin. Well, the thought of a vocational ballet school may feel daunting at first but it will prepare you for a professional career to a huge advantage compared to local dance schools. Of course, every dancer has to start somewhere and I loved my first dance school which I began at aged 8 until I was 11 when I joined a vocational school to train more seriously. Even though you don’t know where to start right now, a ballet school would help guide you towards your career and the teachers would support you so you wouldn’t have to do it all alone! In fact, I wouldn’t have known where to start either without the help of my ballet teachers.

It is important at your age to keep training in ballet and develop your potential to be ready when you’re older. Your age now is very crucial, because it will determine your ability for when your 16 and older. By the age of 16, you really should be training at a professional school. Every ballet dancer I know in a ballet company has joined from a vocational dance school at least from the age of 16. It’s something for you to think about because it is necessary if you desperately want a career in ballet. It can feel scary to step out of your comfort zone to the real world of ballet, but the sooner you take that step the closer you’ll get to your career in ballet.
I hope this helps! - Keep in touch.

Best wishes,
Odette