Trouble finding serious adult Ballet instruction

[luvsmusicluvs2dance]

Hello. I was so excited to begin Ballet lessons tonight but it didn't work out. I found a promising dance studio and they said adult classes were twice a week and it wasn't expensive! So I had a quick question for the instructor and we started talking about the class. I told her that I want to be in a class for serious learners and she said that her adult Ballet classes are not run that way and are really classes for "goofing around" and having fun! I felt so disappointed that I decided not to go to the class. I called a few other places and while they had adult classes, they were either Ballet/Jazz combinations or for fun. Also the attitudes of the studio owners/employees were disturbing to me. It was as if adults wanting to learn Ballet is recreational only and don't have a chance at all to go anywhere with it. Of course I'm not looking for a career in Ballet but would love to eventually have a part in community productions. Please tell me that I can receive quality Ballet instruction at the ripe old age of 28???

 

*edited for typos*

Edited February 22, 2008 by luvsmusicluvs2dance

[koshka]

Can you be more specific about where you are in PA?

I know of places in the Harrisburg and Phil. areas that have a decent array of adult classes, and I'm sure others know of places in other areas as well.

[luvsmusicluvs2dance]

Thanks for responding. I'm near the philadelphia area.

[Chinafish]

Hi luvsmusicluvs2dance,

 

I am quite shocked to find that Philadelphia, such a big city, does not have any serious adult ballet instruction!!

 

And 28 is hardly ripe old age. You'll find quite a few people on this board starting ballet at a much later age.

 

A very warm welcome from the other side of the pond. ;)

 

Fish

[celticdancer]

I didn't start dancing properly until I was in my late teens and even in sunny scotland there are good classes for adults who want to progress and perform and even do exams....arg!. Surely there must be something in the whole of Philadelphia? But you're definitely not too old at 28!

[luvsmusicluvs2dance]

I should clarify, Philadelphia is a large City with many schools but I am looking for evening classes and a shorter commute back and forth from classes but I will have to modify my schedule some if need be. Thanks!

[ineluctability]

If people are telling you 'No' - the are lying.

When they say adults are only 'recreational' dancers - I'm personally offended! I don't recall how many studios told me this - but it was a lot!

 

Despite a broken bone at the moment, I now, indeed, receive quality ballet instruction at the ripe old age of 28 in Kansas City.

 

I had to shop every single studio here (tons and tons) - but I found one!

Actually 2 - but I stuck with one that put me in an advanced class!

They are fabulous!

 

So, keep on looking. You'll find something!!

[jsan379]

Yeah, I don't know why, but there ARE people out there who think this way. It is very frustrating, and a little insulting to be written off like that. But you WILL find a place that will take you seriously as an adult student. Just stay positive.

 

I went through that for a while but now I have one teacher who really cares about my learning the proper techique. At the ripe old age of 28 to Boot! Soon to be 29

[luvsmusicluvs2dance]

Thanks so much for the replies. Yes, I felt offended to feel like I was being written off like that but today I've found a dance school/company in the city that will fits my needs. The classes are open so I don't have to wait to begin and the classes are $15 per class and $130 for 10 classes and $240. Ballet shoes are required! I think I will be starting within the next week and Im very excited! I am glad to see so many "ancient" dancers here as well! lol

[Agnes1022]

Luvsmusic, I googled "philadelphia ballet school" and got so many returned hits. Online search was how I found the ballet schools I now attend in Southern and Northern California areas. Many of these online sites include excellent info on the adult ballet programs offered by the school; from there, it becomes a matter of showing up and checking out the scene.

 

Best of luck to you! And '28' is only a number; so is '41'. Ripeness refers to fruits

[luvsmusicluvs2dance]

Luvsmusic, I googled "philadelphia ballet school" and got so many returned hits. Online search was how I found the ballet schools I now attend in Southern and Northern California areas. Many of these online sites include excellent info on the adult ballet programs offered by the school; from there, it becomes a matter of showing up and checking out the scene.

 

Best of luck to you! And '28' is only a number; so is '41'. Ripeness refers to fruits

 

Yes, there were a lot of hit but I needed a school that fit my schedule and I found a nice school! I am so excited to get started!

[Tiffany]

I'm so glad that you found somewhere to dance.

 

I have had the unhappy experience of finding that studios here will not let me into their advanced ballet classes & I am stuck taking adult ballet classes. These are higher quality adult classes than 'goofing off' and are intermediate to advanced but not as advanced as I was used to at my studio where I used to live, 6 hours away from where I live now. However, I have gotten some really good corrections in these classes and attention that I might not get as the only adult in the teen class so its turned out to be a good thing. Now if I could just find some way to perform here as well!!

[Redbookish]

Moderator's note: I'm just moving this the Adult Students Buddy Board, which is more appropriate for this thread. The Adult Ballet Students forum is mostly for questions of technique and theory and practice of ballet.

[citibob]

I would try the Koresh School of Dance:

http://www.koreshdance.org/main.htm

[Let'sDance]

Not an adult student myself, but my daughter's ballet teacher takes adult classes across Southern Jersey, Philadelphia, and up into Lancaster County. I asked for her recommendation.

 

 

She recommends www.dancewellness.com, stating: His beginner adult classes are excellent, as he follows a syllabus and takes all of his students and his teaching seriously. Very definitely the opposite of "goofing around."

Edited February 21, 2008 by Let'sDance