>Hello Jill - 16 is certainly not too late to take ballet class and aspire to be a dancer. I started in my mid twenties and danced professionally for 30 yrs., and taught for 25 yrs. You have to find a teacher who enjoys teaching older teens and adults and will take you seriously. Then you have to work hard and concentrate on your goal. It is not easy - but it is entirely possible. Don't ever let anyone discourage you. You also have to realize that you cannot do this by yourself - no one can. Even the greatest dancers in the world take class from a teacher. So a vidoe and books - while helpful - cannot take the place of a teacher. So find a good teacher and learn - lots of luck to you. Basheva>>>Hey everyone,>> I've never took ballet classes before, but it's always been my dream. I will be starting them in the fall. I used to do this workout on TV that integrated yoga, pilates, and ballet (it was called THE METHOD), but it got cancelled. Im mentioning that because do have some strength, and i do know some positions. I've been getting my hands on all the books, websites, and video tapes ever imagined. I've also been watching productions like Swan Lake and the Nutcracker (etc.) to observe the dancers and their fluidity (is that a word?..) and expressions. I think I'm a born ballerina because (for instance) my bf used to go to boarding school, and when i found out he was back (he had called me), I was fluttering around my house like a butterfly, doing demi-plies and jumps and I was spinning around and "elegantly running" (you know what i mean, :o)). I'm doing stuff like that all the time. I'm completely passionate about doing this -expressing myself on stage and portraying something. I look at posters of ballerinas and go: "Look at her-someday that'll be me-just wait and see.."I want to take classes 7 days a week, for 3 hours a day. I would be completely willing to do that. I understand that me being 16 (years old) puts a handicap on things, but it just kills me inside to think that i could NEVER become a professional ballerina because of it. What do you think? Your opinions/insight will be grately appreciated. I'm going over terms and practicing positions and watching the tapes to become familiar with the motions. Im not saying I can do them *like that* but I think they'd help me out when it comes time to the classes-just so i don't stand there like a moron :" uh duuuhhh", ya know? What do you think? Any other suggestions? Thank you so much for your time. >>Jill[/i]