The Ballet Bible

Late starter -Can I ever be good?

Hi everyone,

Im looking to start ballet but Im a very late starter (just about to turn 19). Obviously I know theres no chance of being a professional, and I dont think Im cut out for the life anyway(performances stress me out!!), but I want to be good at ballet, not just mediocre. I have a musical background (piano and violin from 5 years old) and Ive always loved dance, but the terrible thing is that I was always too self conscious to take classes! Basically I felt like everyone else had been doing it for ages and I felt too fat!! Now I realize that Ive just got to go for it while I can, and I guess Im just asking if you think I could be good. Ive been doing pilates and yoga and also sheilas kellys s factor (look it up if you dont know what it is NB im not advertising!!) for a couple of years so Im quite strong like that, and I have excellent posture (people in the business have asked if Im a dancer because of the way I walk). Once I know the exercises I will practise every day without fail, the same as professionals do – I put my all into everything I do. I just couldnt bear it if I worked and worked with no hope of ever being any good, even if no one ever sees me dance. Anyone know what I mean?

Anyway, if you think its worth it, Ill buy the ballet bible and practise as much as I can while Im away travelling, and then start classes at university. I know other dance forms are easier to learn and you can start much later, but Ive tried several, for example bellydance, and they just dont seem to be expressive enough. Im not really emotional in public, but I watched romeo and juliet with tamara rojo and carlos acosta (the first ballet ive seen) and it moved me to tears! Since then Ive been addicted and its practically all I can think about! Please tell me what you think, and Im really sorry this got so long!!

Thanks so much!

Helena