My apologies for getting back to you so late- I had written a lovely reply comment, but something went wrong with my computer and it didn’t save!
Do not despair! It is not too late. I was 16 1/2 when I started ballet, which is ancient in the ballet world (I’m 25 now). My first dance studio was a place near where I worked after school. After 4 months of taking ballet classes, my teacher “checked” my feet and deemed them strong enough to go on pointe. Which is wrong. You need to have the proper technique and training to go with strength in your whole body. It’s not just your feet that get you up on pointe, it’s your whole body! I developed a lot of bad habits at that studio which I’m still trying to get rid of today. In general, it will take you 5 or 6 years to get on pointe if you’re doing it once or twice a week.
When looking for a studio, I would recommend trying several out. There are a lot of rinky-dinky ones. Try to find one that teaches a specific type of ballet- they should be able to give you a concrete type- Cecchetti, Vaganova, Royal Academy, Balanchine, Bouronville (spelling?!). If they say traditional, know that’s not a type of ballet.
Best of luck finding a studio. Please keep in touch and drop me an e-mail if you have any more questions, comments, or concerns!
Hi Lavenderlilys,
My apologies for getting back to you so late- I had written a lovely reply comment, but something went wrong with my computer and it didn’t save!
Do not despair! It is not too late. I was 16 1/2 when I started ballet, which is ancient in the ballet world (I’m 25 now). My first dance studio was a place near where I worked after school. After 4 months of taking ballet classes, my teacher “checked” my feet and deemed them strong enough to go on pointe. Which is wrong. You need to have the proper technique and training to go with strength in your whole body. It’s not just your feet that get you up on pointe, it’s your whole body! I developed a lot of bad habits at that studio which I’m still trying to get rid of today. In general, it will take you 5 or 6 years to get on pointe if you’re doing it once or twice a week.
When looking for a studio, I would recommend trying several out. There are a lot of rinky-dinky ones. Try to find one that teaches a specific type of ballet- they should be able to give you a concrete type- Cecchetti, Vaganova, Royal Academy, Balanchine, Bouronville (spelling?!). If they say traditional, know that’s not a type of ballet.
Best of luck finding a studio. Please keep in touch and drop me an e-mail if you have any more questions, comments, or concerns!