Am i too old to start ballet dancing????

Question:I turned 16 last month and i havn't got any hobbies so most of the time i am wayyy to bored for my own good. I would LOVE to join a ballet class but im not sureif i am 2 old. All the people i know that dance have been dacing since they were younger than 8. How could i go about joining if i did? also i am 5 ft 1 and weight about 120 lbs...would my weight be a problem?
Iv never actualy felt like i wanted to do something so much!! Pleasee give me ur advicee!! love frm katie =] xxxx

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I turned 16 last month and i havn't got any hobbies so most of the time i am wayyy to bored for my own good. I would LOVE to join a ballet class but im not sureif i am 2 old. All the people i know that dance have been dacing since they were younger than 8. How could i go about joining if i did? also i am 5 ft 1 and weight about 120 lbs...would my weight be a problem?
Iv never actualy felt like i wanted to do something so much!! Pleasee give me ur advicee!! love frm katie =] xxxx

You are most definitely not too old, and your weight does not and will not matter.
I must openly say, however, you shouldn't choose to take dance on a whim. Dance, especially performance and/or competition classes, require extreme commitment and it will be very difficult on you if you barge into a studio when you feel like it and with no regard that you must be willing to sacrifice time and energy, in large amounts, to this.
Also, ballet is the foundation of most dance. This is a good starting point, though I also recommend you join a jazz class(will help with beat, rythm and agility) or a tap(will increase foot dexterity, beat-identifying skills, and proper foot placement) class as well. Choose carefully, if you're looking just for fitness purposes better choose a hip-hop or jazz, if you're focused on dance for the sake of performance it's good to join a tap AND a ballet, and if you just want a way to beat boredom I reccomend taking yoga or a timed(as in classes only last a certain amount of time) ballet class.
Here's a little prep talk for you:
Learn the vocabulary(learn the foot positions, plie, tondue, shuffle, flap, ask your dancing friends to give you more).
Practice at least two hours a day for each type of dance(nobody said dance was just for the studio, PRACTICE!).
Come in the most humble you've ever been in your life(you WILL get corrections, other people WILL be much better than you, the teacher WILL NOT go easy on you).
And make sure to FOCUS and be totally SERIOUS. If you act like you hate it or you're bored, the teacher will have no problem sticking you in a class with three-year-olds doing moves you can't come close to doing. The teachers are there for serious students, not for those just trying to beat boredom.
HAVE RESPECT, BE HUMBLE, BE SERIOUS, PRACTICE.
Now...
Get ready, get set, glow!
:)

No your not u need to get flexible

thats it

Go for it. Most people do start dancing when they are younger, but there is no reason to not do something that you want to do. Initially you might feel awkward about either being in a group with younger girls, or girls who are more experienced, but remember, you're doing it because YOU want to do it. Who cares what they think! I know it's hard to think this way at your age, but you'll be happy you at least tried the class later on. Just start out with a beginner class and go from there. Don't worry about your weight, dancing is great exercise. Just have fun!!!

It is never too late to start dancing i know someone who is twenty-three and has just started. Just try to find an adult or community class with people around your age.

If I had it to do over again, I'd go for it. It's not like you aspire to becoming a prima ballerina! Ballet is a beautiful dance and look at the great shape you'll be in in just a few short months!

Well, if you want to do it, do it!
Maybe you will never get to the olympics, but... that's not the point!

I, a 11 year old girl, started ballet this year, when most girls started when they were around 3 or 4 . I wish i started earlier. But nayways, its never to late. It's just if you have confidence and determenation, your ready. You must stretch a litle each day, butafter that you'll be on the right track. Your never to old to try something knew, unless 90 and over lol.

p.s. Same here how you want to do it more than anything, that's how i felt!

As has already been said, NO, you're not too old! :)

At 16, you will probably want to research a few studios or even rec centers in your area and look for Adult Beginning Ballet classes. (Do a google search or check the yellow pages and call the administrator - they're usually really nice and willing to answer any questions you have as well as mail you information.) Many classes will have started (since they tend to align with the school year) but most will allow you to join at any time, or else in January. If you have the chance, sit in on a class and get a feel for the teacher so that you choose a class that you'll enjoy. Every teacher has a different style - some emphasize technique while some emphasize the "fun" aspect. Talk to some of the students and see what they say about the teacher.

Don't worry about your weight. I've been in ballet classes with girls of all shapes and sizes and some of the best dancers have not been the smallest especially since so much of ballet has to do with strength.

Go for it! :)

Not at all! I started dancing later and progressed quickly. I didnt start dancing until I was in 8th grade and that was just hip hop. Then I slowly progressed to jazz, then tap, the ballet. I didnt start ballet until maybe my freshman or sophomore year of highschool. But I worked hard and went to class, loved it, and made it onto pointe.
Don't worry about your weight. Just be confident and concentrate on what you are learning. No one is ever to big to dance. In some of my classes, some of the girls were very very big. And dance is a great way to get in shape. Your teacher should never put you down, or make you feel bad about herself. If shes does, then shes not doing her job.

Look for a school and once you have one that appeals to you contact the owner or one of the teacher and explain your situation to her. I was with a few girls a couple of years younger then me, but it wasnt a big deal, I quickly moved up to the other levels. You just need to really learn the basics. You might be asked to try a few classes to see where you fit in skill wise. Just go with it, its a new experience.

I hope you decide to give it a try and enjoy!

You should definitely do it. They say that you should get training before you are 7 is you want to be a pro, but if you have a natural talent you might catch up with all the other people. One of my friends has been dancing ballet 13 years (she's 15) but there are people in her class who've only been dancing 2 or 3 years.

NO, YOU ARE NOT TO OLD. Many dance studios have ballet classes for all ages from ages 11-35. You could probaly find a studio like this in your area. I don't know how easy it will be. I WILL WARN YOU NOW: Ballet is REALLY hard work, painful, and you really have to want to workhard to love it. I have been dancing since I was three (about ten years now) . If you really want to do ballet be prepared to take pain.

You are definitely not too old. It doesn't matter what your age is, as long as you love to dance and will stay committed. But, because you're a late- starter, you'll probably have a hard time at the beginning. Just keep working hard, and you'll be fine! Good luck!

if its really what you want to do then no you are not to old... there are even classes for adults who want to start ballet and your size nor your flexibility matter, you will become more flexible as you learn and you will loose weight it is great exercise good luck

It's never to late to start dancing!! Think of Sabra, this year's winner of So You Think You Can Dance. She has only been dancing for 4 years, but she beat people who've been dancing almost their whole life. As long as you work really hard, you can be amazing!
Good Luck

I started ballroom at 36 and wished I did it sooner. I was actually pretty good. You could suprise yourself. Other then that, it can be very enjoyable. If you get into it, you may just love it. Start now at 16, and you will always have it with you. Enjoy yourself and don't worry about what others think.

You're never to old to start dancing. Ballet is really strict, so I would reccomend doing something more like jazz or hip-hop for a first-timer. If you really want to be serious about it, you might be too late, but if you just want to have fun, any time is a great time to start.
Find a few local classes and see what they have in the way of "Teen beginner" or "Adult beginner." These classes are geared towards people like you.
Your weight is also not a problem, but it might be time to start exercising. I'm a dancer, but I also run 3 miles a day to stay in shape.

No, You are not too old. There exist ballet classes for teenagers and adults. Usually teachers are very open-minded
and encourage each students. Go for it. The best students and the most confident students were not the thinnest. Ballet is so liberating. You will have fun.

gurl! it is never too late! you might be one of the oldest in your class but that is not bigggy! u deffinately need to take a begginers course because of not knowing the basics but that will go by fast! 16 is not so big. i am the same height and about the same weight and i dance if you were 199lbs it might be a bit of a prob but that would be about it!

If you want it go for it!! Just remember that it takes a lot of training and patience to become good. Don't get overwhelmed if you don't get it right away just keep trying. Also remember that dancers have to know what every part of their body is doing you have to be really self aware (that's probably the hardest part).

If i were you i would go for it!!!!You should try if u want to!I started doing ballet when i was 12 but you can start when u are 16 there isnt any age limits!!!Cause at my dance studio i have seen beginners doing ballet and they are 16 aswell so go for it!!

you should not have a wight problem and you can start when ever accept i had a friend who start at the age of 12 but you shold just call around