I started classes at age 8 and my mom had the idea for me to train. But I liked dance class and I got a lot of encouragement to continue and improve. I might have been kind of pushed into starting ballet, but after a short while I wanted to keep going to class.
You mentioned your mom keeping your hair long. I think she did it because there is a lot of emphasis on looks in the ballet world. If a boy isn't real good looking, even kind of pretty, he won't dance principal roles no matter how good he is. I remember as a geeky fourteen year old being pressured to look perfect all the time; it was a hard time for me. I think the stress ballet puts on good looks is a downside to being a ballet boy.
Maybe people like my dad mistake the fact that boy dancers keep their hair nice and wear make-up for recitals as femininity. And maybe the natural grace that ballet training gives us looks too smooth when we move off stage. Also,I know my voice is kind of high for a guy my age, but a lot of athletes have high voices, not just guy dancers.
Anyway thanks for your thoughts.
Snow King[/i]