Q&A for How to Be a Dancer

It depends on how much practice you’re willing to put in! Most professional dancers train for about 8-10 years, and they are always continuing to practice and perfect their art.

There is no ideal age for starting dance, but many dancers benefit from starting serious training at around age 7-9. Younger kids can build a solid foundation for dance by working on their basic coordination and body movement skills.

Dancing is a creative art, so you don’t necessarily need qualifications. However, you may have a better shot at becoming a professional dancer if you study dance formally. You can go to a vocational school for dance or get a degree in dance from a performing arts school or academic program.

If you like it, then keep at it, no matter what your parents say. Dancing can be a wonderful hobby, and could even lead to a great career!

There are good critics and there are lazy critics. Good critics give constructive feedback that is worth listening to. Lazy critics think they know better but know nothing much and enjoy griping or attacking other people. Work on perfecting your dance moves as best you can but don't be dragged down by criticism that fails to help you to improve. Learn the difference between people who are giving you genuinely good advice and people who are just being mean. You'll know the difference if you're honest with yourself.

Confidence is the key to being a better dancer. Watch videos online and practice dance moves in the mirror until you nail them. Practicing at home will build your confidence for when you are out in public later.

You are never too old to learn tap dancing. What matters is the desire to learn, the willingness to turn up to lessons and the ability to buy a pair of tap shoes. Be sure to get a good teacher with certifiable qualifications.

Professional dancers started at all different ages. What they share, along with a natural talent for dancing, is the discipline to practice daily and, eventually, confidence.

Question them about what you're doing wrong and how you can improve your dancing skills. Getting feedback can't hurt -- and is probably essential -- if you really want to improve. It's awesome that you enjoy dancing; if you want others to enjoy SEEING you dance, then you may have to work on some things.

This is a combination of muscle and brain memory not being adequately activated. Learning new dance moves requires more effort than repeating known ones, and the same for new dance routines. The only way around this is practice; constant, repeated practice until the dance moves or routine becomes like second nature to you. If you do practice a lot and still find it hard, you may have a problem with memory, coordination or the ability to decipher instructions; talk to your dance teacher about it.

Definitely not, although you may not be able to do some dance moves. It is good to stretch before and after you dance. That might help some with your flexibility challenges.

Stretch at least once each day to become more flexible. Start off slowly to avoid injury and overtime, you will increase your flexibility.

It helps with balance and coordination; it's also a great way to make new friends if she decides to dance in a group. Dance helps to ensure lifelong flexibility too, when started young. It's also a very healthy exercise habit.

If you have talent, at the very least try it out. If you still don't like it, don't continue. Even if someone else is pressuring you to dance, realize that it may be because they'd like to do it, rather than considering your preferences. Dance is meant to be deeply felt and enjoyed, not suffered through. If it's a chore, find another pastime.

Because you don't trust yourself. You have to have the confidence to dance, otherwise you won't be a good dancer. Don't think about other people when you are dancing. Imagine yourself in your room, dancing alone to the music.

Pick the level of class you feel fits your current experience level, and practice a lot to catch up. If you are older than 13, dance studios most of the time offer teen/adult classes that will get you caught up in no time!

You have to want to dance and have a desire for it. You can't be embarrassed to go full out in your classes! Also accept the criticism. That's your teacher's job, and that is what you're paying for. Finally, you must work hard and practice often.

Try classical. Swan Lake, for example.

You can start whenever you want, just try it out and see if you like it.

No, you are never to late to start, even if you want to be professional. A great example of this is Ballerina Misty Copeland, who is a lead dancer at ABT. She didn't start ballet until she was 13! To try and catch up, practice at home and also try to take some private lessons if possible. The most important thing is to let loose and have fun!

Of course. You can start at any age!

Yes, that's possible as there's no age limit for becoming a dancer.

It doesn't matter what age you start, as long as you try your hardest and continue to work at dance in the future.

Practice often so you are comfortable with your routine. Check out wikihow's article on overcoming shyness for some other helpful suggestions.

Yes, it is called practice. Nobody is a born dancer, everyone has to work at shifting natural rhythm into proper moves and choreographed sequences. Practice a lot and don't be so ready to give in before you have mastered the essential skills.

Nobody ever gets too old to dance. If you get started practicing now, you could become really good.

You can practice dancing at home and following YouTube/other tutorials until you are able to get a dance instructor/class.

Being tall can actually help you with your dancing skills! It means you have longer legs that can propel you and help you create beautiful dance movements. Try making friends with some other tall dancers so you can have a support system that understands your insecurities. (And remember, every dancer has something that makes them feel self-conscious, so you're not alone.)

Never let other people determine your dreams. If you feel that you are weak then work on it and do your best. Most importantly enjoy yourself and remember why you started dancing in the first place.

In tap dancing, there are metal plates on the front bottom and back bottom of your shoes that click when you tap them. As you dance, you basically "play music" with your feet.