labelleballerine Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 I was wondering what's the appropiate age to start in a training program? And also what are some good training programs? Quote Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 I am not quite sure as to what YOU mean by a "training program". If you mean at what age should one begin to study ballet as a profession, I would have to say 10 is the perfect age, at least 5 days week. However if you begin earlier at age 8, 2-3 times a week for 3 years that is already an accomplishment! By 12-13, however, you should be at least at 4 days a week. Every year you have a birthday add a day until you reach 6 days a week! Various programs are run differently, however in order to remain competitive, it really is the quality of the teaching, in general, that is the best measurement for success as a dancer. IMO! Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 22, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 labelleballarine, I'm not sure I know what you mean by a training program. Classical ballet students should be in a training program in a good school from day one. Are you talking about full time academic and dance acadamies, perhaps? Like Harid, NCSA, Walnut Hill, etc.? Quote Link to comment
labelleballerine Posted April 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Yes, I was talking about programs such as Harid, Nutmeg, Walnut Hill, etc. Sorry to be unclear. Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 22, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 No problem, labelle Anyway, there is no absolute answer to that. Going away from home to a full time Academy or Conservatory is a decision that must be made by your family, your teacher, and of course the Academy itself. If you are in a professional school at home, it might not be necessary to go away at all. However, if you are in a small town, or a city which does not have professional caliber training, then it will be essential to go away at some point. But that has to be when you are ready to leave home, when your parents are ready to support that decision, and when you are accepted by one of these programs. There is a lot of information here on Ballet Talk about the different programs. If you search for each individual school, or even topics with the words "full time program" or "Academies", you will come up with a lot of posts about these schools. They have been discussed on the Young Dancers board and also on the Ballet Moms and Dads forum. Quote Link to comment
labelleballerine Posted April 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Thanks Ms. Leigh! I am 15, 16 in August, and I live in a small town and there is no professional caliber training or companies near by. Do you think this next school year would be a good time and a good age to go to a training program? Also, I tryed out for The Washington School of Ballet (video) and was accepted into level 6, unfortunatly I had already sent in my payment to Nutmeg. I was wondering if you have a training program at WSB. If so, would I still be able to go to it even if I didn't go to the summer intensive? Sorry about all the questions! Quote Link to comment
labelleballerine Posted April 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Oh, one more question, Do you think Nutmeg would be a good place for pre-professional training? Quote Link to comment
Administrators Victoria Leigh Posted April 23, 2004 Administrators Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Labelle, we have the training, but not the housing and academics. I suggest that, if you are happy this summer at Nutmeg, stay there! They have everything. Quote Link to comment
labelleballerine Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Thanks Ms. Leigh! Also is it possible to go to a year round program if you dont go to their summer intensive? Quote Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted April 23, 2004 Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 All training programs are different. Maybe you should phone the ones you have interest in to see what they say! In the case of Harid, we do prefer students come to our summer program in order to be selected for the year round school. If there are openings in August then we have considered students by video or personal audition for the year. For the students however, it is always better to first try a four week period away. If living away from home is not for you, it is easier to go home! Quote Link to comment
labelleballerine Posted April 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2004 Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment
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