Can I become a professional dancer as a late starter?

Question

I began ballet at age 4 and stopped at 12. I started again at 18 and in one year I have become flexible (splits) and my technique is improving; I also started pointe, I take 8 classes a week. I am very serious about ballet and would like to become a part of a professional ballet company. Can I make it?

BTW I'm going to college to get a degree in Health Science and minoring in Dance. I figured when I get my bachlors degree, I'll be well trained enough so I can begin my prof. dance career. is that a good plan?

Answer 1

You're going to hate me and not believe me when I tell you that when you get your bachelors degree, you will NOT be well trained enough to get hired by a professional ballet company. So rather than take it from me, please see for yourself by reading all of the bios of current female ballet dancers that exist on company web sites.

The few who received further training in ballet through a college dance program were in the BFA programs of some of the top college ballet programs in the country. They include Juilliard, Butler, Indiana University, University of Utah, University of Oklahoma, occasionally SUNY Purchase, University of Arizona, NYU/Tisch and a just few others. But in all cases, if the female dancers graduated as "company ready," then they went into those programs as NEARLY company-ready because they were already advanced-level ballet dancers who got their earlier training from some of the most elite ballet schools in the country. Pursuing a minor in dance cannot possibly give you enough classical ballet training to compete with the other female dancers who have been getting the most rigorous ballet training for 20 hours a week since they were 14.

If you like anything in the Health Sciences and can see yourself doing anything in that field, you should fully embrace that over dance. Pursuing a career in dance is only for those who cannot see themselves doing anything else because dance is as important to them as breathing. Having that kind of motivation is the only way to endure all the c**p and hardships that go along with the life of a professional dancer. By all means, do dance as a minor and continue to dance for fun, but trying to become a professional ballet dancer as a late starter is going to be a huge disappointment.  

Answer 2

yea!! follow your dreams and dont give up!! Good luck! I wish you the very best!!!

Answer 3

i am sure you will have some problems in your dancing life because of the 6 years you did not dance at all, that's will always come back to haunt you. but if you keep up the good work and put your heart into it you could join a company. good luck.  

Answer 4

If your body is flexible then yes, you can make it..

Answer 5

yes its a good plan and its not too late

theres a lot of dancers out there started even age 25  

Answer 6

sounds good! just make sure you keep up the technique and flexibility! good luck =]

Answer 7

It's never too late... I wish you Good Luck with that...