>I have never done ballet in the past but everyone says its really fun and exciting once u get into it. I don't think I want to professionally go into ballet but I still want to be serious and have fun and work hard at it.
- Ballet is incredibly difficult at first because you are asking your body to assume positions and perform movements you've never done before. Promise yourself to stick with it at least 3 months, no matter how discouraged you are with your apparent lack of progress. Once you get the basics down, you'll experience the true pleasure of being a dancer._________________
>1) Can I take ballet even if I may not want to become a professional?
- Of course! Enjoy each class for what it offers. At 16 you don't have to plan your entire life. You'll be able to take class and even perform without sacrificing your occupational or professional goals for the future._____________
>2) Is it truly fun?
- YES_____________
>3) I wanted to wear a leotard and tights cause I heard it is better but I am a little scared to. Is that normal? Should I?
- The traditional male ballet attire is black tights with a white t-shirt (and a dance belt). Until you establish your credentials as a serious student, you might want to follow that guide. Once you know the school's expectations, you can experiment with other dance clothes.________________
>4) How do I start? Do I show up one day and go right into a class? Is there an interview or one on one with the teacher to introduce you to it?
- Most schools offer continuing enrollment, which means a "beginning" class will have students who've taken ballet for quite awhile as well as first-timers. That makes it rough on both, because the continuing students will want a faster paced class with yet another explanation of the elements of a plie'. Meantime it is frustrating to the newcomers who feel quite lost and out-of-place.
Call the school and interview them! Ask them if they just throw you into class to sink or swim, or if they have a special class for rank beginners. They may allow you to observe a class to see the basic format before committing to taking class. Some students first take a private lesson to learn the basics before joining a class._____________
>5) Wearing a leotard and tights especially to a beginner class might seem weird, what if all the other boys are wearing tights and a t-shirt? Is it still ok to wear the leotard?
- When in Rome...If other boys wear tights and t-shirts, Dr. Dancebelt would go with the crowd at first. After you are accepted as a serious dance student, you can wear what seems right.
Good luck and please keep us posted on your progress.[/i]