Q&A for How to Be a Ballerina

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What kind of ballet shoes should a beginner 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.

Geraldine Grace Johns

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's important that your first pair of ballet shoes are fitted at a ballet shop with a professional. This will ensure that you have the right length and width shoe.

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Question

What should I wear to my first 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.

Geraldine Grace Johns

Professional Ballerina & Ballet Instructor

Expert Answer

I recommend wearing flat ballet shoes, ballet tights or leggings, a leotard with a waist band or a fitted dance t-shirt, and a crossover cardigan if you are cold. Form hugging clothing is best.

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Question

Is 12 too old to start ballet?

Cecilia Flores

Top Answerer

No! You are never too old to start ballet! Just find a studio you might want to join, go check it out, and if you like it, then go for it.

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Do I have to take classes for ballet?

ReynaSPQR

Community Answer

Absolutely. If not done properly, you can seriously injure yourself while doing ballet, especially on pointe.

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Question

Is 14 too old to start ballet?

Community Answer

No. You are never too old to start ballet.

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Question

I started ballet very young, but dropped out because my family couldn't afford it. Now I have continued with it and want to dance professionally. In total, I have had five years training. Any advice?

Norman Chan

Community Answer

Do splits and practice every day. You should also keep learning and be very concentrated. Work very hard and it'll be worth it.

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Question

When should I start to dance?

Community Answer

As young as possible. If you want to dance ballet, you should start in early childhood to condition your muscles, bones and tendons.

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Question

What is the appropriate weight to dance ballet?

Community Answer

There is no 'appropriate weight', but you should be fit and have a strong core and leg muscles.

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Question

If my doctor says I have a healthy weight, does mean I'm good for ballet?

Community Answer

Yes. Your doctor probably knows best.

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Question

What age is good to start pointe?

Community Answer

If you are an experienced ballerina (at least 2 - 3 years of ballet), you can usually start around age 12. A lot of dancers start pointe later if they need more experience, but don't start too early; below age 11, your feet might not be strong enough and your bones haven't developed fully. You can start whenever your ballet teacher tells you you're ready.

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Question

What happens if I'm are a professional dancer and don't have time to spend time with my family, do I have to quit?

Community Answer

Like anyone, a ballerina must learn how to balance career and family life.

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Question

How do I split perfectly?

Minmin4

Community Answer

It takes a lot of stretching.

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Question

Is 16 years old too old to start ballet?

Danceandcookies

Community Answer

No, you can start ballet at any age. Just make sure you take the right level of ballet for your technique.

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Question

Do i have to have a flat belly to be a dancer?

StellaLoves

Community Answer

You must be quite slim to be a professional ballet dancer, but if you are doing it for fun, there is no need. If you are preparing to go on pointe, though, you should be at a healthy body weight so you don't hurt your ankles.

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Question

What can I do to prevent myself from getting nervous during a solo?

Danceandcookies

Community Answer

Take a deep breath and try to forget what's going on around you. Allow yourself to relax and breathe while you dance, and remember that everybody makes mistakes sometimes.

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Question

What are the best dance schools?

Community Answer

Juilliard, The Dance Space, Generations Performing Arts Center.

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Question

Do I have to be flexible to do ballet?

Community Answer

You don't have to be flexible when starting out, but the flexibility you'll gain as you practice will help with your dancing overall.

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Question

At what age do I get my pointe shoes?

Community Answer

The typical age for pointe shoes is about 12 or 13. Ballerinas as young as 10 or 11 may also get them, however, if they have enough strength in their feet and proper technique. Instructors will let you know when you are ready.

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Question

How can I get noticed in ballet and not be considered a newbie?

Community Answer

If you're new to ballet, it will be very obvious that you are new, and there's nothing you can do to hide it. Dancers who have had more training and experience move differently than dancers who have only been taking class for a few months. That being said, you can always work hard to adapt your body into moving in ways that the professionals and older dancers do.

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Question

When you're at the Royal Ballet School, do the teachers like take you to companies?

StellaLoves

Community Answer

If you are a student at The Royal Ballet School, the teachers do not take you to audition for other companies, because that school is linked to The Royal Ballet, and you audition for that only once. However, if opportunities for children at The Royal Opera House come up, people will come to the school to audition you.

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Question

Can I have pointe shoes after 8 years of training?

Jenn Cornelia

Community Answer

It depends on how often you dance, how old you are (how developed your body is), and how strong you are; not just your feet, but your entire body. Ask a teacher or professional first.

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Question

I'm 14 and I've never danced anything in my life but have always been able to go en pointe. Is it too late to start ballet?

Praise Agbator

Community Answer

No, it is never too late to start, although you might want to train more before you go en pointe.

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