Can't do what I love...

[La1aM]

Hi,I'm 14 and I've always wanted to be a ballerina, and a lot of people day that it's a little kid dream and more importantly that I could never become a balleria. Ballet and dance in general make me feel amazing, when I dance it's like I get transported into a whole nother world. I feel like I could fly when I dance, and the connection I have with it is so magical.

Every ballerina starts ballet when he or she of around the age of 3 and I'm really scared to try and persue my dream because everyone will be so much more talented than me and I'm scared I'll be in the same class as a 7 year old.

Another big factor is cost, ballet is so expensive and my family just can't afford to pay for everything especially since I'm so much older.

It just makes me feel really upset and discouraged to know that I can't persue my dream of becoming a ballerina and doing what I love and makes me truly happy just because of money or age...

[blondguy]

Hello La1aM

Welcome and thankyou for being a part of the forums.....not to mention having the courage to post too !

I know its easy for me to say La1aM but no one can take your dream from you. Even with the dollars or the any possible age limitations I hope you can persevere with your dream. No one can take that from you. I have bumped your thread up so your post gets the attention it really deserves

Your goal to be a ballerina is still within your grasp

I hope some of our other posters can be more of more help than I have been La1aM

Hang in there if you can, you will have more support. I understand that some ballerinas are super young when they start.......Thats only some

My kind thoughts

Paul

[White_Rose]

Dear La1aM

Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Thank you for telling us about yourself. It's good to have a dream or ambition as you have something to work towards. I know a little about the world of dancing as my daughters attended ballet classes for many years.

You talk about dancing in a way that shows how much it means to you. It is an exciting form of exercise and expression. When others say it is just a child's dream to be a ballerina I think they are saying it's something you will grow out of. And of course that's true for some girls.

OK, I expect you know all that. Are you looking specifically at ballet or other dance forms? Many girls enjoy other dance forms which are not quite as demanding and give a great deal of satisfaction. Do you want to dance as your career or a pastime you enjoy? I think it's important to understand what you want from being a ballerina. It's a long and hard road.

Ballet lessons, as you say, can be expensive. Shoes and dance wear can also eat up the money so you do need to be dedicated to start dancing at 14. It will be hard work.

You are concerned about joining a beginners class where others will be so much younger than you. That's quite probable but if you are learning and improving, and if your ambition means so much to you it will not matter what the age of the other students. I expect you will learn faster because you have more body co-ordination than a six year old.

So to practical matters. What ballet schools are near you? No need to tell me, just know what is available. Can you go an d talk to the dance teacher about fees and explain your desire to dance. These are professional teachers and mostly they have danced for many years. They can give you the best advice.

As your parents will find the cost of these lessons difficult I want to suggest you look around for paid work to help with the expenses. Many people work in all sorts of jobs to earn enough to reach their dreams.

Are there any classes near you that are free? Community organisations can offer this if there is a demand. It will not make you a ballerina but it will increase your dance fitness. Ballet places an extraordinary demand on your body and you need to be fit. Join one of these groups and learn about dancing which is as important as learning steps.

Does your school offer dance lessons? Have a good look round to see what is available and join where you can. It's all helpful for your dream and definitely will help if there are any bursaries going.

Mary

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi La1aM,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for being here!

I love your dream of being a ballerina! It's such a beautiful dance and it's so important you don't want to give up on it 🙂

There will always always be things in your way stopping you from doing your dream - for you it's money and age, but for others it might be age, money, transport, health, isolation.. I don't know of any dream that was easy to follow.

I actually know a ballerina! She teaches dance lessons; she's a beautiful dancer and I think she started when she was around 15/16 ? It's true - a lot of people do start when they are young but it doesn't mean there's an age limit. Just like if you were to start learning a language, playing an instrument or being a painter - starting younger is always easier but it doesn't have to stop you.

It is absolutely guaranteed they will be better than you - they've been in lessons! I know how anxiety provoking it can be walking in and being the newcomer, but you do need to start somewhere.

How do you want your dream to play out? Do you want to be in musicals and theatre? Or teach it to young people - do you want to travel and dance for people? Dance in crowds?

You mentioned that when you dance you feel like you get transported to another world - use this as your fuel. Every time something happens where you think you won't or can't get there, remember that feeling. That can power you on through everything that comes your way.

Hope this helps 🙂

[grapefruit]

Hi there!

It's wonderful to see your passion and dedication to dance. First of all: I don't want to discourage you from pursuing your passion but realistically, professional ballet doesn't sound like the right option for you.

Having said that, you do not have to be excluded from the world of ballet. There are classes available for learners of all ages, and you'll never need to worry about being in a class with very young children. Once you're old enough, you can look for work, and use the money from your job to fund your ballet lessons, materials etc.

I know exactly how it feels to be 100% convinced that you are meant to be or do X (in your case, being a pro ballerina), but the world just says "sorry, no can do". I know what it's like to be full of passion and enthusiasm, and still be denied the path you want because of factors out of your control. It hurts, and it's difficult to get over, and it's unfair. That's ok. Everyone faces choices about what to do with the time and resources they have. Life can be unfair, but life isn't over because of these setbacks. If you can manage to find work and a place to take lessons, I fully believe you can find a way to fit ballet into your life through high school and beyond. It may be difficult but the satisfaction you will find will be worth it.

Hope this helps and I wish you all the best 🙂

[Guest_3265]

Hey La1aM,

I’m 13, male and kind of going through the same situation as you. Don’t let things break you down. Bulling is hard when it forms to dance and older people in school and I get it. But you have just got to try and ignore them. I know this is easier said then done but don’t let them get to your head. I’ve just started Ballet last year and I too was in a class with younger ones. But what you’ve got to do it out last them. Continue getting better and better and you’ll move up and up.

As for the money issue, your parents will want to see their child become who they want to be. They should do everything they can to get this for you, and maybe you could sell items you don’t use or make a lemonade stand! (101 easy ways to make money is a really good book)

I hope this has helped some what and know that other people are going through this situation. “There are far better things ahead then the ones we leave behind” just keep that in mind.