Q&A for How to Ballet Dance

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  • Question
    What should a beginner wear to ballet class?
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Expert Answer
    I recommend wearing flat ballet shoes, ballet tights or leggings, and a leotard with a waist band or a fitted dance t-shirt. Form hugging clothing is best.
  • Question
    What kind of ballet slippers should I buy?
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Expert Answer
    I prefer students to wear a full sole ballet shoe in pink or the same color as their ballet tights. It is best to have your first pair of ballet shoes fitted at a ballet shop with a professional to ensure that you have the right length and width shoe. This is very important.
  • Question
    What is the first thing you learn in ballet?
    Geraldine Grace Johns
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Geraldine Grace Johns is a Professional Ballerina and the Owner of Grace Ballet in New York and Los Angeles. Geraldine toured through New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and Korea as Jammes in Ken Hill's Original Phantom of the Opera. She has studied with the Royal Academy of Dance in London to become a teacher and taught for the Kudo School of Ballet in Yokohama. Geraldine also ran her own Royal Academy of Dance School in New Zealand before studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City. Geraldine was a guest coach and Master Class teacher in Toronto for the Canadian Royal Academy of Dance's Dance Challenge in 2018, 2019, and 2020. She was also a guest coach and Master Class teacher for the USA Royal Academy of Dance Challenge in Long Beach, California in 2019 and 2020. Grace Ballet Los Angeles has won recognition as one of 13 Best Ballet Schools in Los Angeles since opening her school. Geraldine is a contract Practical Teaching Supervisor for the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies for the Royal Academy of Dance.
    Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor
    Expert Answer
    The first of the basic positions is called first position. This position involves the dancer standing with their feet together so their heels are touching.
  • Question
    I'm 17 and overweight. I know fat people don't dance ballet. Is there a specific weight I should be to dance? I just started learning the basic positions by myself, because I can't get a teacher.
    Community Answer
    Follow your heart. If you want to dance, don't let your weight crush your dreams.
  • Question
    I want to dance ballet but I think I'm a bit fat for dancing, what should I do?
    Community Answer
    Whatever your size, ballet is great for fitness and strengthening, as well as being fun, and it shouldn't be about weight or shape. You should still be able to dance ballet and enjoy it.
  • Question
    Can a teenage girl can start doing ballet?
    Community Answer
    Of course! You can start doing ballet at any age. Some dance schools have adult dance classes where people who are a bit older can learn to do ballet.
  • Question
    At what age should I start wearing pointe shoes?
    Community Answer
    Most people can start wearing pointe shoes when they are around 11 to 14 years old, as this is when the ankle bones have finished growing. Keep in mind that this age range may change depending on your ankle strength and ability. Also, if you started ballet late (12 years old or after) you may still have to wait a couple of years before your ankles are strong enough for pointe shoes.
  • Question
    I'm 14, is it too late to start ballet?
    Community Answer
    No. You may have to practice hard to catch up with others who have been doing it longer, but no matter what age you are, it is never too late to try something new!
  • Question
    At what age I should start dancing ballet?
    Community Answer
    At any age you want to! Learning new things is easier when you are younger, but any age is good.
  • Question
    Do I have to be skinny or average weight to be able to do ballet?
    Community Answer
    No, dancing is great exercise for people of all body shapes.
  • Question
    How do you improve pirouettes from fifth position?
    Community Answer
    The most important part is your plié. No matter what happens, return to your plié. Even if it the turn fails, feel the floor through your working foot before you pop back up. Don't let your body weight go back. Stay forward and control your core, especially when performing pointe. As always, keep your spotting sharp. Happy turning!
  • Question
    What can I do to increase my flexibility for ballet?
    Community Answer
    The only way to gain flexibility is to stretch. Ask your ballet teacher if there are stretches you can do that will help you specifically, as he or she will know where you might need help. You can also enroll in a yoga class to help with your overall flexibility.
  • Question
    How do I balance on my toes?
    Community Answer
    Put most of your weight towards your big toe and engage your abdominal muscles to keep your balance centered. Start on your toes while holding onto a barre. Then, as you become more comfortable, slowly let go of the barre. You should be balancing on your toes in no time!
  • Question
    Do you think its a good idea for me to go back to ballet after four years of not doing it? Will it strain any muscles in particular?
    Community Answer
    If you want to go back, that's perfectly fine, ballet can be picked up again any time in life. Just take that extra bit of care, especially at first, so that you don't hurt yourself as the muscles will not have been worked in that way for a time but they will remember with practice and it'll all become easy again soon enough.
  • Question
    What music do they play?
    Community Answer
    Usually in ballet class you will do exercises to classical piano music. You may be lucky enough to have a pianist who will play the music for classes, but a lot of studios play music from CDs or iPods.
  • Question
    Can I learn how to dance ballet at age 18?
    Community Answer
    It is never too late to learn how to dance. Most dance academies offer classes for toddler-aged children all the way through to adults.
  • Question
    Is ballet class important?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Ballet is the base of every style of dance. If you don't take ballet your technique will not be advanced. Take ballet!
  • Question
    Can I do en pointe at the age of sixteen?
    Community Answer
    Generally, you could. However, this depends on how long you have been doing ballet and how frequently you dance. It is best to get checked by a physio just to make sure you won't hurt yourself going en pointe now. Also, you should wait until your teacher says you are ready.
  • Question
    I am ten and I want to dance, but how can I convince my mom to buy me all the dance gear I will need?
    Community Answer
    Show your mom how serious you are about ballet. Practice in socks, leggings and a tight shirt. Once she sees you are really interested in ballet, she will be more willing to make the investment in shoes and leotards for you.
  • Question
    I am 17, is it too late?
    Angel Campbell
    Community Answer
    You can start at any age, you'll just have to work a little harder to catch up with others your age.
  • Question
    I did ballet for a year when I was seven, now I am twelve and want to start dancing again. Is it okay to go en pointe?
    Community Answer
    Not yet. You need teacher approval to start pre-pointe classes and then you can start pointe. You might have to take ballet classes for a few years before you start pre-pointe.
  • Question
    I have a big tummy, can I wear a leotard?
    Community Answer
    Yes! You will just need to find the right size! Don't worry, they sell leotards to suit virtually all sizes in every dance shop.
  • Question
    Can I find ballet shoes at Walmart?
    Community Answer
    Almost certainly, but if not, then you should be able to buy ballet shoes from plenty of online retailers.
  • Question
    Can I do ballet with short hair?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Some ballet schools insist on certain hairstyles (low bun, etc.). Most don't mind, as long as your hair is neat and not in the way (not flopping into your eyes, etc.). If your local ballet school does insist on a hairstyle you can't make, talk to them about your options.
  • Question
    Is 9 an okay age to go en pointe?
    Community Answer
    Not in most cases because you'd still not be sufficiently developed. It could seriously injure the ankles of a child because the bones in your feet aren't strong enough and your bones aren't fully grown so it could harm them enough to you out of a dance career. Be patient and keep working on strength building and graceful dance techniques.
  • Question
    How do I learn ballet if I can't even do the splits?
    Community Answer
    Ballet training makes you flexible. You don't need to be flexible when you start.
  • Question
    Should I stop ballet if my feet start to get blisters or ache terribly?
    Tropical1121
    Community Answer
    If you like it, no. If they ache, what I do when I come home after ballet and pointe is put my feet in a tub that has warm water and epsom salt. Then after they are dried off and at normal temperature (or also if I don't put them in a tub) I ice them for ten minutes. Blisters are different. If you don't do pointe and are getting blisters, you should probably get different shoes. Soft shoes shouldn't give you blisters. For pointe, literally the best thing you can do is get more blisters! This makes your feet stronger so that you don't get as bad or as many blisters. If you get blisters, you can put band aids over them, but don't put a bunch of fancy creams and stuff.
  • Question
    Is starting dance at 13 too late to do it professionally when I get older?
    Community Answer
    No, if you are committed to it and work hard, it's still possible.
  • Question
    What is it called when a ballerina leaps into the air?
    Community Answer
    Usually, it is a grand jete.
  • Question
    How do I perfect ballet at 9?
    SparkleShine
    Community Answer
    If you are just starting, find a reputable studio and sign up for the preprofessional program. Make sure to stretch as far as you can, and practice basic movements and barre exercises every single day.
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