good enough?

[Guest pointedancer518]

I hope that I put this is the right place. I love to dance and I would like to dance professionally someday. My question is how do I know if I am good enough to get into a company? I dance at a pretty large studio (500 students) in a small town, and although I am in the advanced classes, I only have ballet once a week. It is a two hour class and I also take many additional styles of dance. My teacher says that I am good enough to dance in a company, and I have been accepted to good summer intensives (NCSA, ABT, Sarasota Ballet), but how can I be sure? I also don't have the perfect body for ballet. Thank you in advance.

[JDA1]

Just try! You'll never now untill you do. What do you mean you don't have the perfect body for ballet?

[Guest theskysthelimit]

I feel the pressure from the body issue too. I have long legs and a short body, but carry my weight on my belly, which makes me look way heavier than I actually am. But you should stick with it. Teachers don't lie to you, and if you're being accepted into summer intensives then you are obviously on the right track. Good luck!!!

[Mel Johnson]

I don't know what your career ambitions are re: dance as a whole, but I can tell you right now that you're not going anywhere in ballet with one class a week, be it EVER so long.

[Victoria Leigh]

Pointedancer, no one ever knows for sure. There are no guarantees of anything in life.

 

That said, if you are an advanced dancer, "on track" for a career in ballet, then you would be doing ballet 6 days a week, several hours a day if you are 14 or 15 or above. If you are younger than that, you might be doing 4 or 5 days. The study of other dance forms are in addition to ballet technique and pointe on a daily basis. There is, I'm afraid, no such thing as an advanced dancer who takes a once a week class.

 

Acceptance to the SI programs you mention is good, but I'm going to have to assume you were accepted on potential, and at a relatively low level.

 

As to the "perfect body" for ballet, very few have that, however, it has to be good, and very close to the look of a dancer, which is, ideally, long legs, shorter torso, or at least very evenly and well proportioned; no excess weight; flexibility; rotation; and good feet. In addition to these things one needs musicality, expression, and an ability to move well with good coordination. If you have these things, and really want ballet, then get thee to a classical ballet school ASAP!

[Guest pointedancer518]

Thank you all for your replies. I know that I am probably not taking enough ballet classes, but with the addition of jazz, tap, acro, modern, pointe classes along with long rehearsals, I am getting about 12+ hours of dancing a week. My teacher has danced for a professional ballet company as a soloist (I don't remember the name right off) and she agrees that I need to find a different studio, my only problem is time. I am the oldest of five kids and we live pretty far from any good schools (1 1/2 hours minimum). I have been taking class at a nearby studio where there is excellent training, but I can only go once a week. I guess you have answered my question though, Miss Leigh, I can't be really good with the level of training that I have now. Should I bother moving away to try and continue? I don't have the best feet, and I am a bit large in the bust although I am thin. Is it to late for me to change? I know that you said that I was probably accepted on potential, and I don't know if it is to late for me. I love to dance, but I would just as happy to teach at a dance studio. Thanks again.

[Victoria Leigh]

It may not be too late, but you definitely need to do it immediately. Whether it is ultimately for teaching or for performing, there is no way to do that without the training, and you are not getting it now.

 

I don't know where you are, as S. FL is a large area, but there are a lot of very good schools down there. Find the best and get there if you are serious about this.