NoviceDancer Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hi. I'm 18 years old and i just Graduated H.S. I guess i can say I've danced all my life, but before i thought nothing of it. I never was enrolled into ballet, so i was never trained. In H.S i decided that Performing Arts was a field I'd want to venture in to, so i studied it all throughout H.S. In my last year of school,we put on a production of CATS, I had never actually danced before people before so it was kinda weird. But surprisingly, everyone liked my dancing. Now I know that CATS isnt a totally balletic show, and it is made up of allot of combined types of dance. But it seemed that The balletic areas were the areas i understood the most. (Maybe I should get to the point,lol). In 3weeks I'll be enrolling into an Adult Ballet class at my local dance school. I'm awesomingly nervous, and i have no idea what to expect. Well i do assume we'll be learning positions,stretches, and barre work as well. is it normal to feel the way i do? Do i have anything to worry about? What should i make sure i do? please Help. Quote Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Hello, NoviceDancer, and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers. Anxiety before undertaking a new and unfamiliar endeavor is common, even sensible. You should make sure that, starting at age 18, you stack the deck as much as possible in your favor. While it may be fine to get a grounding in the rudiments from your local ballet studio, you list Orlando as a location. Have you tried Orlando Ballet, to see what they offer a beginner in your situation? Assuming that you're a normal 18-year-old in good health, there is nothing you have to worry about. If you take from a good teacher, s/he will look after you and make sure that you don't do anything to hurt yourself. Quote Link to comment
2 Left Feet Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I agree with Mel. 18 is not too late for a guy to start and still have a chance at a professional career (though it's real close). If thats ultimately your goal, look into the Orlando Ballet. If they have adult classes and they like what they see in you, it could develop into something. Being nervous is actually good. To me it says you really like it. I'd be concerned if you weren't nervous. Quote Link to comment
NoviceDancer Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Hello, NoviceDancer, and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers. Anxiety before undertaking a new and unfamiliar endeavor is common, even sensible. You should make sure that, starting at age 18, you stack the deck as much as possible in your favor. While it may be fine to get a grounding in the rudiments from your local ballet studio, you list Orlando as a location. Have you tried Orlando Ballet, to see what they offer a beginner in your situation? Assuming that you're a normal 18-year-old in good health, there is nothing you have to worry about. If you take from a good teacher, s/he will look after you and make sure that you don't do anything to hurt yourself. Thank you so much, I actually did think it was too late for me, but i wasnt going to give up. Orlando Ballet was actually the school I was going to enroll into,go figure. Thanks agian. Quote Link to comment
citibob Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 You have a lot of options open to you if you start training now. Ballet is a systematic approach to human movement and dance. It has a few basic principles that are (ideally) applied consistently throughout. One of those principles, rather unique to ballet, is LENGTH --- to lengthen every limb (and your torso) as long as it will go, all the time. Another principle is range of motion --- to allow each body part to go through its full range of motion. Those principles are why you understand that flexibility is involved. Verticality is another principle; notice that ballet dancers' torsos usually stay vertical for most everything. Your love of dance and previous dance experience will surely be an asset; the ballet training should also (eventually) help you analyze and direct your dance movements in new ways, no matter what you choose to pursue. In the meantime, enjoy the experience! Quote Link to comment
Joseph11 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Hi NoviceDancer and welcome! I started about a year and a half ago and was just as nervous as you are (although I am a bit older!) I have found that the best way to approach things is to take them one day at a time. As I got more into the study of ballet, I learned about the different options available to me in my area, and was able to find a studio I absolutley love. The instructors are incredible, knowledgable and very encouraging. I am getting better every day and enjoy ballet more with each class (if that's possible!) Take things (no pun intended) one step at a time and you will get there. The way I see it, you can sit on the bench of life or get in the game - You made the right choice! Joseph 11 Quote Link to comment
NoviceDancer Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 All of you are just so amazing and welcoming, I can only assume this is how the dance world is. Thank you all so much. I was filled w/ so much hope and anxiousness when i read your response to my eager cry of help. I will take every piece of advice I've recieved and run with it. I'll be on B-way in 10 years, Remember.lol Thanks and please continue giving the wonderful advice, you guys are helping a lot of people. Quote Link to comment
Guest falloutoftheyear Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Hi NoviceDancer, I don't know if you knew this, but the local community college (Valencia) has an AMAZING dance program with VERY talented professors. I just started in January for the spring semester and have improved SO much. If you're already in another university, you can still take classes at valencia by applying as a "transient" student. ..You also get college credit, which is a plus, lol! Hope this helps! ~Richard Quote Link to comment
NoviceDancer Posted March 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2007 Hi NoviceDancer,I don't know if you knew this, but the local community college (Valencia) has an AMAZING dance program with VERY talented professors. I just started in January for the spring semester and have improved SO much. If you're already in another university, you can still take classes at valencia by applying as a "transient" student. ..You also get college credit, which is a plus, lol! Hope this helps! ~Richard Yea i'm actually starting dance at Val-State in the fall (Valencia). I'm taking adult classes at central FLorida ballet now. Maybe I'll see you there! in the fall Quote Link to comment
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