Adult Ballet in Rural America

[hart]

I have lived in Chicago for 10 years now. I have been in school for the entirety of this time. I'm tired, really tired. I love the city, but I feel like I am chronically overstimulated by it, and I think I might be ready to move on. I am originally from small town Indiana, an area of the state that is particularly deprived of the arts and culture. I really miss nature, but I would miss learning about the arts and culture if I moved back to a place like where I am originally from.

 

I recently spent time with a couple of my boyfriend's friends who live in Interlochen, MI. Apparently, Northern Michigan is rich in both nature's beauty and art. I have never even considered the possibility of the two going together. I did some research on the Traverse City area and it seems that there are several ballet schools that instruct adults. This possibility excites me and surprises me. I am wondering if anyone else has discovered smaller town communities that are rich in both nature's beauty and also have quality training options for adult ballet students.

[Guest dance4joy]

I have lived in Chicago for 10 years now.  I have been in school for the entirety of this time.  I'm tired, really tired.  I love the city, but I feel like I am chronically overstimulated by it, and I think I might be ready to move on.  I am originally from small town Indiana, an area of the state that is particularly deprived of the arts and culture.  I really miss nature, but I would miss learning about the arts and culture if I moved back to a place like where I am originally from. 

 

I recently spent time with a couple of my boyfriend's friends who live in Interlochen, MI.  Apparently, Northern Michigan is rich in both nature's beauty and art.  I have never even considered the possibility of the two going together.  I did some research on the Traverse City area and it seems that there are several ballet schools that instruct adults.  This possibility excites me and surprises me.  I am wondering if anyone else has discovered smaller town communities that are rich in both nature's beauty and also have quality training options for adult ballet students.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Hi Hart I grew up in small town Indiana too so I know exactly what you mean about the sad lack of quality dance training, especially for adults.

 

Here is a link I found that may be helpful to you. I'm not sure how old this information is but it's a start anyway.

 

http://www.blue-diamond-dance.com/teachers/indiana.htm

 

I would also like to add that Lafayette Ballet offers pretty decent adult classes (3 a week) at about the Intermediate level.

[pleiades]

I found myself in No. Carolina on a business trip and fell in love with Chapel Hill. It's beautiful and there's a good studio there that offers adult classes.

[dancepig]

I live in rural Vermont and have found five ballet studios within a 20 mile radius. It seems that on the average (in rural America), the higher the income the more dance studios you'll find. Ballet classes do require a disposible income so I guess this would make sense. The biggest problem I have found is a lack of students!

[Tiffany]

If you are willing to take class with teenagers, not just adults, then I would say you could definitely find a classes in a rural area.

[Guest AmyLiz008]

While it is a far cry from a small town, St. Louis, MO has several opportunities for adult ballet. The studio where I attend even has performances that include the adult dancers if they wish. I take some classes with teenagers, but there are 2 intermediate/advanced adults-only classes as well. The instructor customizes the class to the students, so it isn't really an intermediate/advanced class if only beginning students show up.

To me, St. Louis feels like a bunch of small towns all connected together instead of a big city. We have a symphony, and the Fox Theater, and nearly a hundred small theatre groups. My favorite 'neighborhood' is Webster Groves. It's a small affluent community that is more or less tolerant of inter-racial couples and alternative lifestyles (which you don't typically find in the rural Midwest), and they absolutely embrace the arts. They are conveniently located just to the south and west of downtown St. Louis; you could drive to the arch in about 15 minutes. I would have moved there were it not for my husband. He insisted on a brand new house, and most of the homes in Webster are older.