I'm 13 and 5'1. Will I grow enough to be a dancer ?

Question

Apparently, tall dancers are preferred over short ones. Why do I need to know if i'm too short ? Because I dream of being a professional dancer and my father said that if that's what I want to do, then we can move back to Russia so I can go to a very prestigious dance school. I did the audition a month ago and I made it in. They told me that they'll understand it if I change my mind about going though, because it'd mean moving back to Russia, a huge change, etc.

But I know that if I choose to stay in Australia my dream will not come true (The Australian Ballet can only take you so far). It's a really huge decision, and I really want to go (it's one of the very best dance schools in all of Russia and leads directly to Russia's best dance company). The only problem is, what if I don't become a ballerina ? It's not that I can't dance, it's that I think they prefer taller dancers and I don't know if i'm going to grow or not. If I've already stopped growing, there's probably no chance that i'll ever be a ballerina, which will mean that I changed my whole life for nothing.

What should I do ?!

If I choose to go, I'll have to go in 2 weeks.

PS. I wrote this in the dancing section too, but I thought I'd put it here too because it also relates to being an adolescent (growing, changing life, etc).

Answer 1

I stopped growing at 13 and 5'1, but don't freak out.

The school has accepted you, take your opportunity and let everything else figure itself out

Answer 2

im 14 and i went from 5 2 to 5 7 in like 6 months so i wouldn't worry quit yet

Answer 3

Google "average height of ballet dancer."  Just read the page summaries.  Then breathe.  You're right on track unless you started puberty unusually early.

Answer 4

look at shawn johnson and she is in the Olympics not to mention she is sixteen. she is 4"11 so you got time to grow. trust me  

Answer 5

You shouldn't let the possibility of a company choosing a taller dancer because that person is taller. If you're a great dancer and you have the skills, that's what is noticed the most.

I was told that I'm too short to be a model. Yea, you need to be at least 5'8 to do runway, but that didn't stop me. I don't do runway but I did model and started making a name for myself before I went into the military. If that's what you want to do, don't like what-ifs stop you. And if you decide in the end that it's not for you, at least you can say "I've done it." If you have heart and if you have passion, you'll be sure to accomplish.

And to answer your question, you're only 13, you just started puberty. You'll grow some more, trust me. How tall are your parents? If both of your parents are tall then chances are you'll be tall too. Or you can be lucky like my brother and be taller than both of your parents. But a good indicator of your height would be to look at your family.

Good luck and best wishes. Don't give up if it's what you want to do. If you want it enough, you can accomplish the impossible. :)