How many classes a week? studio?

[kristieg]

I am thirteen and I am looking to start ballet again. Like every little girl I took ballet until the age of nine. After this I continued to dance lyrical and jazz. I feel I am loosing most of my technique. Am I correct that ballet would help fix some of my technique issues? I also started to fall in love with it. When I was younger I couldn't fully appreciative how beautiful it is. I recently moved and I am looking for a new dance studio. I am looking mostly at ballet schools because most of the studios around me are not to great in terms of technique. I'm looking at the New Jersey School of Ballet. Is this a good school? I am also trying to figure out about how many classes a week I should be taking. I swim 6 times a week, so I looking to dance from 2-4 times a week maybe 5 if I really need to. I am not looking to go on a pre-pro track, but if I am put into these classes I am willing to make the commitment. I think I would start at a level or two under were they start pointe. II realize that I may have to be in a class with younger kids. I watched the level I thought I might be in because NJ ballet offers classes at the YMCA were I swim. The kids in the class looked to be around 11 or 12. Some might have been thirteen. I would love to get on pointe if I could in 2 to 3 years, but I know not everyone can do pointe and it takes a certain amount of strength in your feet. Getting on pointe won't happen over night and I know I will have to make up the years of training that I have missed. About how many technique classes a week should I be taking if I would like to get on pointe in years to come and make up the years I have missed? Is NJ Ballet a good school for me to start at? Thanks!

[Clara 76]

Welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers, kristieg!!!!!!!!!!!! My, you have an impressive amount of energy!!

 

Let's take things one step at a time. Firstly, you need good training, and starting with the local school attached to a professional company is a good place to start. A professional level school will have you take a placement class where they will determine where your strengths and weaknesses can best be addressed. Whatever level that ends up being will determine your schedule.

 

Start off by seeing how the placement class goes. Then we can begin to sort through the rest!

[kristieg]

Thanks for the advice! I think I am going to go and take a placement test at the end of January or the beginning of February. The swim season will end and I won't have many more meets so I can devote all my time to dance! I am really excited to start again. Its been a hard couple of months without dancing. Its just not the same stretching in your living room compared to stretching in a room full of people who share the same passion as you. I can't wait to start dancing again!

[Clara 76]

I'm happy for you!