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Question: Can I still become a dance teacher or professional dancer or is it too late!? Sorry this is so long! :)!?
I'm 17, and I'm completely and irrevocably in love with dance!. I have danced on and off for almost five years!. (1st grade, 6th, 9-11th) I am EXTREMELY passionate about it and I love it!. The thing is, I'll be a senior next year, and planning to go off to college!. I used to think that all I wanted to do was go into medicine, but now I'm not so sure!. I LOVE dancing and I would probably go into shock if forced to quit, lol!. Lately, I've thought of pursuing it as a career in the back of my mind, but always figured I was not experienced enough since I haven't been consistent with it since I was three, like most people!. Could I still become a dance teacher even if I am not as experienced as most!? (Obviously I would get the experience over time, but can I become one even if I started late!?) I have taken tap, jazz, ballet, and clogging, and I'm starting pointe (yay!) and lyrical next year so I will have had exposure to all kinds of dance!. I've learned LOTS and have advanced fast!. Can I do it!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
First off, I would like to say that I won't throw a simple answer at you like 'Go for it! You can do anything!' I am a very experienced dancer who intends to become a professional, and my teachers have not held back in telling me just how hard it is!. The reality is that not even the girls who have danced their entire lives will automatically get jobs or company positions!. There are very few people who have the technique, individuality, and professionalism to succeed in the dance world!. Dancing on and off for a few years just won't cut it!. I'm 14 and dance 6 days, 11 hours a week!. I have danced since age 6, but I am still nowhere near a professional level!. It takes years and years of intensive training to get that good, and by then you'll be too old for a company to want to take you!.

You could possibly become a dance teacher, but that requires a level of knowledge almost equal to what a professional knows!. You will have to know proper technique, how all the moves are executed, their names, how to prevent injuries by correcting habits that are dangerous, like turning out from the knees and rolling forward on the ankles!. You also have to know how strict to be with each age group and each individual!. If one girl has told you she wants to be a professional, you need to push her harder than you would push someone just dancing for recreation!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You can do Any thing that you want to do as long as you are willing to work hard at it!. Of course you can do it it is never too late I know a girl who didn't start dancing till she was twenty one and now does it professionally!. Therefore if you really want to do it you can!. Goodluck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

yeah there is still time for you to teach!.I would just work hard because for dance schools you have to audition to be accepted!. I would take as many classes as you can as often as you canWww@QuestionHome@Com

Yes you can !Www@QuestionHome@Com

I don't see why not!. You go, Girl!!:O)) GramsWww@QuestionHome@Com

i don't think you can become a professional dancer!. most dancers at age 17 who are serious about it are already taking professional leveled classes and have taken it since they were at least 7!. the average 'going to be professional' 15+ dancer takes about 12 hours a week of dance, 6 days a week!. it doesn't seem like you are doing that!.
i think that if you pursue dancing as a career you will have the most chance in being a teacher!. you could go to college for dancing or you can go to a local dance school and check if they are in need of teachers or assistants!. get involved in the dance world! :]Www@QuestionHome@Com

yeah, i started dancing when i was 13!. i'm 15 now and i just got a job student teaching!. you have much more experience than i do so i don't see why you couldn't!. even if you don't go to a dance college (and most teachers don't), just keep taking lessons while you're at college at a nearby studio!. i'd say go to college for something other than dance so that you have something to fall back on and then either minor in dance or if that's not an option, just keep taking lessons!. this way you don't have to quit and you can get more experience!. if you dedicate yourself, i think you can definitely do it!.

best of luck :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

yeah i think so!.!.!.!.!.medicine is a hard thing to major in & if you're not completely devoted to it, it's going to be a big waste of time!. since u haven't been totally consistent with dance, i would start majoring in dance at a community college (they're cheap & it's a good place to start getting better in dance before becoming a teacher) or a state school!. then after two years and an associate's degree, you can transfer to a better dance college!. good luck!
p!.s!. if you love dance, then dance your heart out and dance confidently and you will shine! never give up on ur dreams (i did & regret it to this day)Www@QuestionHome@Com