PLEASE HELP! PRO'S! Dancers! Should I persue/start dance?

Question

I love dance---especially "So you Think You Can Dance." But I have about 2 yrs left of high school and I'm wondering is that enough time to progress/excel in ballet, contemporary, and/or lyrical dance without having had any previous dance training---but starting this late in the game. (Is almost 16 yrs old TOO LATE?).

Also, I have a little stage fright--and when I get nervous I sometimes tend to forget choreography! I know that in dance that is not one's most desirable outcome! So what is a good solution to relaxing and memorizing choregraphy? And how does one memorize choreo in a short amount of time---like 2-3 days?

In addition, I'm not the fastest at picking up choreography, not that I'm the slowest either but still...again I think my nerves and my urgency to get the choreo down quickly is an issue. Not only that but I want to hit the moves correctly.

But again I love dance and it appeals to me soooooo much! And I would love to try it! But is 2 yrs suffice for point?

Answer 1

Go for it! There is only one way to determine if this is the path for you.

Answer 2

Dance is for all ages!!! The great thing about it is it doesn't matter how old or young you are!!! If it is something you are passionate about TRY IT!!! And as far as remembering practice makes perfect. The more choreography you dance, the more shows you do, the better you will get!!!

Answer 3

Is it your dream?! Girl, follow your dreams!!!

GO FOR IT!!!!!

I have been a dancer for 13yrs and I'm 17. Age is never, ever a barrier!!!!! (except maybe if your 80 or something. lol). My dance teacher was with the Australian Ballet Company and she began dancing at the age of 15!



Anyways, I would just like to point something out for you, So You Think You Can Dance is a professional dance show, where the dancer are experts in their dance forms. Remember it is a TV show, and TV shows like ratings. I love the show and all but it's every unrealistic is many ways.  

A normal dance school is not like this!!!!! They will usually spend about 3-4 months (even longer) on learning dances and your teacher will give you nothing that they think you can't do! In the real world you will never be given a dance to be in done in 2-3 days (only real professional who have had years and years of experience can do this!)

For your nerves, everyone gets them! I've been dancing on a stage since I was five and I still get nervous as h**l before going on stage. It takes experience to calm your stage nerves. And when you enroll in a dance school, just let your teacher know about this and usually they can help.

A quick tip: do let yourself become “scared nervous” make yourself “excited nervous.” (pump yourself up). Take deep breaths and smile and tell yourself to calm and you can do it and practice the steps over and over again.

If you do stuff up on stage, just let it go and move on, don’t panic or freak out. Stage fright happens to all dancers.

Look, I’m going to be honest, you will find it extremely hard at first because you’ll be entering a new world of movement; to excel in any type of dance form means extreme discipline and hard work (not to mention the emotional side of it! You’ll cry tears over dance some time in your dance career). Ballet will be extremely hard to get the correct technique because as you go through the levels the steps become harder and your technique must grow, and with ballet some people just have a talent for it while others don’t. Don’t be discouraged though, when you try something new (especially dance) is it hard as anything, but anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it. When you enroll in a dance school just inform your teacher of what you want and they will help you, that’s what they are there for. Follow their advice and any critism they give you, take in a positive light and use it to become better, don’t be offended by it.

I suggest that maybe you should ask for private lessons (they are usually more expensive then normal classes) before you join a group class/ or in conjunction with a group class so you can get one-on-one training with your teacher, this will help.    

To excel at ballet (especially), contemporary/lyrical in 2 yrs would be an extreme achievement! You will defiantly progress if you put an hour or two into practicing one every day (or every two days) but you will need at least maybe 5-6 years of dance experience before you begin to show some real excellence in dance.

In my experience, you might want to start with just ballet for the first three years and really work at your technique and then pick up contemporary style after that time. You will not excel in 2 years but you will defiantly progress as a dancer.  

Remember, technique is not EVERYTHING!!! It really helps but you must have a passion and love for dance. That is what dance auditions look for too, your feelings when you dance is what is part of your movement.

But there’s something else you need to know, you’ll need muscle strength and flexibility. It’s the key to all dance forms. You’ll also need to be physically fit; I suggest that you begin a Pilates class and try working out at your gym (go for ½- 1 hour run every morning) or going to these websites:

Strengthen:

1. http://www.dance.net/index.html

2. http://www.dance.net/strengthening.html

Flexibility:

1. http://www.teachingarts.org/danceQuestio...

2. http://dance.about.com/od/danceandyourhe... (Go to related articles on the page and look through the different links).

3. I also highly recommend the dance book: Ballet for Dummies. Try this link: http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesT...  



It will take longer then 2 years to excel at any form of dance, but with enough hard work and dedication you will defiantly make it!! =) Go for it and don’t hold anything back!!!

Good Luck!

Answer 4

At this point, it is not likely that you will be successful if you are planning on becoming a professional dancer or pursuing dance as your career. For those kinds of things, you need to have been dancing for pretty much your entire life. I encourage you do to it for fun though, take some classes and just do it for the fun of it.

Answer 5

its never too late to start dancing, people ask me why i dance or why i should persue a career in dance. i dont dance for that i only dance for myself. there is no age that limits you from dancing.

what youre doing is great, if you wanna dance then dance!

stage fright is a common issue the way to beat it is to practice being up on stage. get friends and family to gather in a group and watch you perform it helps a lot!

i dont do choreography i just breakdance on the streets. but ive seen tons of choreography and it does take some time. dont worry after awhile, you'll be able to pick up the moves quick.

the key is to PRACTICE!! practice everyday for at least 20 minutes or so. when i practice or when i want to learn a new move i go down stairs, turn on my ipod and practice.

good luck with your decision ^_^

Answer 6

I was unable to begin my study of dance until I was 11, and was told that it was "too late" by the first instructor for which I auditioned.  Luckily, her assistant saw my potential and my deep love of movement and gave me the opportunity to become a professional dancer.  It is never too late to start IF the talent is there to develop.  But be ready to become your biggest critic--to expect more of yourself than anyone else would ever expect of you.  Be prepared to dance from the time you get out of school until the studio closes each day of the week and at least until noon on Saturdays.  Forget the choreography?  LOLOLOL.....you will dream the steps; you will be reviewing the steps while you stand in line for lunch; while your friends are headed to the movies, you'll be headed to your next rehearsal.  And yes, if you have the talent and you have the passion, at your age two years is plenty of time to begin Pointe.  Expect at least 6-8 months of intense ballet training before graduating to pointe shoes.  The advantage you have is that there is less chance for  permanent disfigurement of your feet since the bones have had more time to form.  

You may find that "lyrical dance" is a spring board to other dance genres--jazz, tap, modern, Slavic, Spanish, etc...the land of musical comedy.  But you'll never know unless you give it a go!  So go!

Answer 7

It is never too late to do anything. Dance is so great. i do it myself. if you want to start then you should. dance is also a great way to get over your stage fright as you will be constantly performing to the public, etc. but only if u want to. if u dont do something about your fears than it will stay with u forever... and u dont want that. Dance will also keep u fit and happy.