Beginner or Intermediate

[BalletPrincess86]

I am completely over my head in confusion. I am starting back to ballet this summer if not summer for sure fall but here is my predicament. I'm 22 years old...nearly 23...was a dancer in high school and junior high, not really just ballet but a mix since I was in Colorguard. The summer intersession classes in my home town only offer adult intermediate classes for 2 months before the adult beginner classes start in september.

 

Now I have bought sevvvveral books, dvd's, and vhs's to get me back into shape and learning the ropes again and the director of our ballet school here said I could come and sit in on the intermediate class if I wanted. I am just afraid that if I decide to continue on with the intermediate class, am I going to drown and not do well?

 

Has anyone else experienced this, going into ballet after being out of dance (and sadly out of shape too) and not knowing where his or her placement may be?

 

Thanks in advance

[Guest ingve]

Hi there, and welcome back to dance.

 

My suggestion. You sound ready enough to jump into the cold water.

 

Bring patience, but just go for it.

 

cheers

Ingve

[Agnes1022]

I've seen posts on other topics where teachers have not encouraged or even recommended the "learn-through-dvd" method especially if one has not had sufficient in-class training owing to the increased risk of injury, and secondarily, the increased chance of developing incorrect placement and habits. Having said that, this is an adult board, so the final decision lies with the person themselves.

 

If you have zero ballet training, then perhaps an intermediate class may not serve you best. At that level, an exercise is generally composed of more elements, making it more complex. And it isn't uncommon that an exercise is longer in length and faster in pace, compared to its beginner-level counterpart.

 

Go for it, sit in on the intermediate class and just enjoy the experience. Be forewarned though that the steps may look "easy". That, I find, is illusory. These exercises are much easier on the eyes than on the legs, arms, and torso.

 

Many adults start at the absolute beginner level, progress to advanced beginner, and on to intermediate and advanced levels. I've seen schools that combine beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced. I prefer having more levels, which allows for students with similar skill levels to be taught together and have their needs addressed more accurately. But some teachers are quite sensitive to the skill level mix in their class and are able to give slight variations of the same exercise to accomodate different levels.

 

Another avenue you might look into as an alternate to the dance studios is the ballet program in community colleges around your area. I think that as with other colleges, yours would break the ballet classes into Ballet 1, 2, 3, 4.

[ripresa]

When I'm not sure if a class is appropriate for my level, I just watch it the first time. Most teachers are okay with this, but ask permission to be sure.

 

And then you can also just do the barre in the beginning, and sit out and watch the centerwork. Also, a nice thing about being an adult, is most of the time, you can sit out combinations in center that is too hard or too strenous for old knees. (though, be prepared to be mocked if you sit out of laziness, and not because it's too jumpy for knees).

[Balletbabe32]

Sometimes it's nice for a dancer of any level to take a beginning class. It's nice to check in with your body in that way, in my opinion. You won't lose anything from taking the beginning class. If it's too easy for you, move on to the intermediate.

 

Some days, I feel like being the "big fish in the little pond" so I'll take a beginning class and just focus on simple movement and really turn my attention to my body and the little details. Some days I feel like really challenging myself and I'll take higher level classes where I know I'll be the "little fish" but relish the idea of pushing my limits and also observing other advanced dancers at work.

[BalletPrincess86]

Thank you all for responding so quickly! It is so wonderful to hear the different answers! The instructor wrote me back yesterday and said that with the skills I have, I might be okay...after speaking with her and then upon calling another dance studio to get more advice (since the ballet school is so busy) the other instructor said "go for it...it never hurts to try and IF i am determined enough, I can make it happen!"

 

So with that...I am going to sit in for the first class, and see from there...

 

Nervous, Excited, and ready to jump in head first...

 

 

Lauren

[ripresa]

Some days, I feel like being the "big fish in the little pond" so I'll take a beginning class and just focus on simple movement and really turn my attention to my body and the little details. Some days I feel like really challenging myself and I'll take higher level classes where I know I'll be the "little fish" but relish the idea of pushing my limits and also observing other advanced dancers at work.

 

Hah! I know what that means.. what class is good for my ego, and the other one is good for my humility ;-)