Beginner Ballet Questions??

Question

I'm 13 and I'll be starting ballet in September. I have some questions though:

1. What kind of things will I be learning (this will be my first actual ballet class lol!)

2. What should I bring in my dance bag other than shoes and my clothes?

3. Are you supposed to wear underwear underneath the tights lol? I really have no clue!

4. I can already do the splits and I do 100 releves every day, so what other stretches should I do to make me a better dancer?

5. Is it true that if you do one thing wrong the whole class has to start over again? Cuz that's what my friend told me but she's in a professional school so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Anything else I should know? Thanks!

Answer 1

nice..you'll love it! its relaxing yet intense..

1. you'll learn grace and poise. plies, battements, chanees, pirouttes, peakes (cant spell that one), and soo much more!

2. basic ballet bag: ballet shoes, pink tights, black leotard, deodorant (trust me it gets smelly), tampons (if its your time to shine, they come in handy! i suggest playtex sport!) hairbrush, hairbands (rubberbands, whatever you call them), and that should do it for now...

3. it depends on your studio. some allow it and some dont. i personally due do to "shining time" but i'm still comfortable without it too.

4. i would do squats and crunches. you need to tighten your core to balance better. and squats help  with keeping yourself toned in the bottom half.

5. it depends on the school and class and teacher. it sounds really strict...my class doesnt start over b/c one person does something wrong...but then again i go to a competetion school

Answer 2

1) you'll be learning exercises at the barre, basic floor work, and how to use proper posture and what aspects of your posture you should keep in mind (i.e. your turn out, a contracted ribcage, pelvis parallel to the floor, etc)

2) bring water, and hair ties to keep your hair in a bun

3) it's your own personal preference, i sometimes don't!

4) you'll learn exercises to help you during you class

5) each studio has it's own level of strictness. if you're just starting i'm sure they won't be too hard on you

good luck!

Answer 3

1. You will be learning the basics. Tendus, plies, etc. It will be a simple class, but it is always challenging enough for people who are just beginning.

2. you can wear your tights and leotard to class with your clothes over them. bring your dance shoes. hairties, bobby pins..that's basically all that you need.

3. nope...you don't need to wear underwear under your tights. most studios don't allow it.

4. that's great that you're already doing exercises for it! : ) that's probably enough for now. wait till dance class begins then you can get some more ideas of what you can be working on.

5. no, that's not always true. most schools just keep going even if you mess up. the professional schools would probably be like that...but what you're looking into shouldn't do that sort of thing.

Just have fun and dance your heart out. : )

Answer 4

I'll answer ur questions:

1. What you learn will depend on your level,but you should be learning the basics: plies, tendu, degase, batman, passe, also the 5 positions(you might only learn 3, this is only the stuff at the barre in the floor you will learn a lot more!).

2. In your dance bag you should have pins, hairbands, hair-nets,your dance shoes, legwarmers for when it is cold, lots of water, your dance clothes if you plan on changing there, and something to wear over your dance clothes.  

3.Yes! Your tights are like really tight fitting pants with a leotard over them. This is at my dance school, but it can depend on the school. If you are uncomfortable with people seeing your underwear you can wear a thong

4. Do a lot of plies and then some jumps. Stretch out your calves and feet, or ask your friend to go through a simple ballet class with you. Actually doing everything can be very good.

5.When you start it is not like that and as for when you get older it depends on your school.

As for tips, don't wear jewelry, respect your teacher, go into class ready, ask before you go anywhere(e.g.bathroom), don't talk! It can get you into a lot of trouble, and drink A LOT of water!!!

Good Luck!!!!!!  

Answer 5

1) You will be learning basic technique like plies, tendus, degages, stretches, jumps, etc.

2) Water, extra hair ties, pants you can move well in, tampons and pads, extra bobby pins, safety pins, legwarmers if you want

3) It isn't necessary to wear underwear. You may be more comfortable with it, but if you do make sure it's one of the smaller cuts like a string bikini or a thong. Otherwise, your underwear may ride below your leotard and you can see it through the tights. Many dancers feel that wearing underwear is uncomfortable because it's a lot of material. The tights and leotard are enough material at the end. The only time I wear underwear underneath my tights is during my period.

4) Your teacher will show you stretches. Make sure you stretch by touching your toes and doing lunges after doing all those releves, though. Otherwise the muscles in your leg will tighten up too much.

5) Um...no. If many people make a mistake, the class may be required to repeat an excercise. But you don't have to start the class over. If you need to repeat an excercise, it's to correct a mistake before it becomes a habit.

Answer 6

1you will be learning how to use the bar, you will do certain exercises, and they will teach you stretches that will help

2. maybe a bottled water, nothing else really. everything that the teacher instructs you should bring of course.

3. you are suposed to wear underwear.

4. butterfly stretches, (see question 1)

Answer 7

You will be learning all the basic skills of ballet, like, turning, spotting, kicking, and your basic technique.  

You should bring a water bottle, pads/tampons, depterant, hair stuff, and something to do if you have a break in between classes.

No, don't wear underwear under your leotards and tights.

Work on pointing your toes, and your turn out. those are the most important things in ballet.(plus your turns, sorry)

It depends on which teacher and dance studio you are at. Just do your best no matter what. I hope that helped:) -polkadots_ryry