Ballet is one of the oldest and most prestigious art forms in existence. The origins of the genre date back to the 15th century, when it was established as entertainment for the Italian and French aristocracy. Since then, ballet has swept across the globe, with Ballet schools and performances accessible in most major cities.
It is a well-known fact that becoming a ballet dancer, either professionally or recreationally, requires a great deal of coordination, agility, and training. But how to become a ballet dancer, you ask? you’ll want to follow these key steps, and you will be well on your way to achieving your ballet goals.
So apart from it being the foundation of all dance forms, T3’s Founder & Executive Producing Director Morie Williams tells us how to become a ballet dancer.
Recommendations How To Become A Ballet Dancer?
- Seek Out Professional Training
The best way to truly excel as a ballet dancer is to have the proper training in a good healthy environment. Ballet schools and academies can be found in all major cities, and especially for those wanting to pursue a career in the ballet world, you must be ready to invest financially.
Having a competent instructor and mentor will provide invaluable guidance, assistance, and support. Group classes are a perfect place to start as you will gain experience working alongside other dancers; however, if you want to step things up a notch, you could splash out for private lessons. Many people are taking ballet lessons with T3 Triple Threat’s Adult Theater Program in San Diego, CA., as they are dedicated to making dance more accessible financially and socially for all who wish to participate.
- Starting at a Young Age
While a few have raw talent and were born to dance – for the rest of us, getting an early start will be vital in achieving our dance goals. Many believe training from childhood allows dancers to develop a deep-seated passion for ballet and gain the intense physical attributes required for the sport.
Some argue that once a person reaches a certain age, it becomes more challenging to teach the body to move with the grace of a ballerina. If you could not start dancing in your early years, don’t get discouraged; ask yourself how hard you are willing to work on perfecting the techniques of beginning and intermediate class levels. If you’re up to the challenge of mastering the balance, flexibility, and physical stamina it takes to become a ballet dancer, then you’re in the right spot.
- But Don’t Worry If You’re A Late Starter
The ballet world is filled with stories of dancers who first pointed their toes as toddlers and became professionals as they grew into adults. But what about those who started a little later in life? Fortunately, it may be possible for adults to pick up ballet a lot more quickly than children can.
Research shows, adults benefit from having a brain that is a lot more developed and mature than youngsters. And as such increases their ability to understand and retain information, such as learning ballet moves. They can comprehend more technical explanations of ballet and use critical thinking to assess their performance and work out how to improve. So don’t be disheartened by the common myth that you can’t start ballet dancing as an adult.
- Be Dedicated and Persevere
If you genuinely want to succeed as a ballet dancer, it is integral that you stay dedicated and train regularly. Progress can be slow initially; many aspiring dancers underestimate ballet’s difficulty and quit in the early stages of their training.
Those looking to pursue ballet professionally often spend hours training daily to meet the standards of reputable ballet academies. Even those looking to pursue ballet on a more recreational level must devote a reasonable amount of time to their new hobby to see improvement.
Therefore, it is critical that wannabe ballet dancers stay motivated and consistent with their training.
- Build Physical Stamina
All the training required of ballet dancers can be incredibly grueling, which means that one key aspect of succeeding as a dancer is your physical fitness.
Ballet is essentially a sport. Although it may look delicate and graceful, people are often surprised at how physically demanding a ballet training session can be. To hold the body in the intricate positions seen in ballet, you must possess an incredible amount of strength and stamina.
Therefore, maintaining your health and developing stamina are essential to any ballet dancer’s improvement.
- Pay Attention To Detail
The beauty of ballet is in the details. The uniform and synchronized nature of the dance means that any tiny mistake made on stage is evident. Therefore perfecting the choreography you’ve been taught and ensuring that your lines are flawless is essential.
When learning, dancers must pay close attention to everything their teacher is doing, whether it is the movement of hands or their Instructor positions their feet. All these small details contribute to a perfect final product.
- Watch The Professionals
Did you know many aspiring professionals can learn more from observing professionals working through technical exercises or performing live on stage than participating in class? Visual examples of the way feet are working, turn out, hip positioning, and placement of the arms is invaluable to young dancers.
- Learn The Lingo
No matter what country you learn, ballet in the language is all the same. French names describe each exercise and, when put together, create a beautiful vocabulary of movement, poise, beauty, and grace.
- Style, Method & Technique
There are seven significant styles of ballet. Classical, Romantic, Neoclassical, Contemporary, Vaganova, Cecchetti, and Bournville each have a different method of training. In this case, the more you can do, the more you will do.
- Education
As you start to advance in your training, it is advised that you study with as many teachers as you can, pursuing as many different styles as possible. This will not only help build your skillset, but it will also empower you as a dancer, as having several different styles under your belt will add to your confidence. Ballet dancers are storytellers, and if you can fit an acting class into your schedule, you’ll become even better at telling your story through dance.
Whether you’re a casual enthusiast or an aspiring professional, today brings a new opportunity to start or improve your ballet technique. Today brings a new chance to join in activities that bring you happiness. Looking to find your happiness through dance? We have something for all ages and would love to invite you to join us for a free class. Click through the link below to try a free class with T3 Triple Threat’s Adult Theater Program in San Diego; here, you can learn more or find out how you can help.
