Is it possible for me to be in a ballet company?

Question:

Is it possible for me to be in a ballet company?

I just started ballet and been doing it for 2 months..i'm 12 yrs. old..do you think it is possible for me to be in a ballet company?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Possible, not probable.

Like I just said to someone else: most serious ballet dancers start dancing between 4-5 (or even younger), when they're still learning how to move their body. Even their most basic movements reflect the fact that balletic movements are what's natural for them. Then they train for 10-15 years, usually averaging 5-10 hours of class a week (more when they're getting ready for auditions), practice for even more hours in their spare time, and live their lives focusing on nothing but ballet. Then they audition, and most of them (each usually the star at her studio) find out that they are simply not good enough.

I'm not saying this to scare you, just saying that these are the girls you're competing against for the very rare, precious spots. There are people who have started at your age and made it into the corps, but they a) have a body and feet that are completely and utterly meant for ballet, b) have incredible teachers who are devoted to their cause, and c) live for nothing but ballet. They're the ones who don't go to school because they're studying ballet and getting tutored in schoolwork in their spare time. This could be you. I really don't know. Still, I will say that I've never heard of one of these dancers making it out of the corps (not that there's anything wrong with being in the corps, but yeah, everyone wants to be the principal).

So: if you like dancing, keep at it! Work hard for a year or two (and I mean harder than you've ever worked before or even thought possible), and see where you are. See if you're even still interested once you know more about being in a company (it's not always fun, rewarding or fair). If it doesn't seem likely, that doesn't mean you have to give up. There are plenty of ways to have ballet be a part of your life (and even perform in front of people) without being part of a company. If you really love ballet, then dance for that.