....follow your dream ! 
written by Basheva             on 31.05. at 17:57:21 - as answer to: When Basheva? by Dancing Boy atHello, my friend....I will try to answer your question. I was present one day at a college, waiting for my class to begin, I was watching the beginner ballet class. There was a young man there, it was only his first class, he was about 18 yrs. old. The teacher (whom I knew well) called me over to watch this young man. In his first class, he was doing changements with pointed toes, landing in a soft plié, and a very good fifth position. His pirouettes, while not perfect, certainly were not the pirouettes of a beginner. His natural talent just poured out. We could hardly believe he was a beginner. He went on to become a soloist at Pennsylvania Ballet. So, at 18 yrs. old, first class, it was obvious. As a teacher, I have had students as young as 5 yrs. old, come in with obvious talent - the body, musicality, focus, maturity far beyond their years. However, it takes more than that....it takes also some luck. I had several students who really had everything but luck. Besides all the natural benefits, they need parental support, and many, many lack that. I also found quite a number of students with natural talent - but no fire in the belly, so to speak. And that is every bit as important as natural talent. So the answer to your question is - talent can occur at any age. Basheva >Dear Basheva,>Since you seem to be the most experienced, and knowlegable ballerina on this site, I've got a question for you....>When is a young dancer (either male or female) considered to be a prodigy in ballet? What I mean (clarification) is at about what age would a ballet teacher notice that a dancer is performing extremely well, and shows great potential? I guess it could happen at many different ages, but I'd love to read your thoughs on ballet prodigies. Answers to this message: |
