What Age Should You Start Ballet?

Hi guys, it's Erica! Welcome back to The Ballet World. Today I am going to talk about the topic of what age is the right age to begin ballet. I started ballet at the age of two and a half. The majority of professional ballerinas begin ballet when they are three or four. Is this actually the right time to start ballet though? I know this question is probably too late for most of my readers, but it will be useful to be informed for when we have children and want to put them into ballet lessons.

Doctors recommend that formal ballet training should not be introduced until age eight. Any ballet teacher would say that waiting this long to begin would put you behind. Before a child is eight, his or her bones are too soft for the physical demands and exercises of ballet. Some doctors even recommend that children should not start ballet until age ten or twelve. This really seems to late to start ballet in today’s society.

In order to alleviate parents’ stress that their child will be behind in ballet, some ballet schools have began to offer pre-ballet classes. These classes are more simple and geared to children age four to eight. Many dance schools also offer creative movement classes for very young children. These classes provide a way for children to explore movement through the use of music. Creative movement involves the use of body actions to communicate certain actions, emotions, or feelings.

Ballet is extremely competitive today. Therefore, I can understand why parents choose to enroll their children in classes so early. If I would have begun ballet five years later, I might have been at a disadvantage. The doctors’ opinions are definitely correct though. A number of peers have already had hip surgeries and major injuries. They began training intensely at very young ages. By the time they were around seventeen, there bodies were already worn out. Therefore, I would definitely consider the advice from doctors before signing up a child for ballet. Pre-ballet classes and creative movement classes seem like a good compromise for parents that want their children to start dance early. Hopefully this post will help you if you have to make this choice as a parent in the future. Don’t forget to check back in a few days to see what’s happening in the ballet world!

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The Top Ten Dance Colleges in the Country

Hi guys, it's Erica! Welcome back to The Ballet World. Today I am going to talk about the top ten dance colleges in the U.S. This list varies slightly depending on your source, but each of these schools is definitely in the top tier of dance colleges. I did not attend a college which a strong dance program because have also been more focused on ballet. Most of these dance programs are for individuals interested in pursuing a variety of styles of dance. Most professional ballerinas do not attend college and join ballet companies right out of high school. If you are interested in having a dance career in modern/contemporary or would like to remain studying academics while pursuing a ballet career, I would recommend that you take a look at the schools listed below. 

Fordham University has a partnership with The Ailey School. This partnership makes Fordham an incredible place to study because you can receive a good education while also learning from some of the best modern teachers in NYC. Rutgers University has partnerships with Dance Jerusalem and The Laban School of Dance in South London. Therefore, if you intend to study dance in college, but would also like to study abroad, Rutgers University is an excellent choice. Butler University has one of the best college ballet programs. If you are interested in pursuing a career in ballet, I would suggest checking out Butler. Oklahoma City University has a great dance program for those who wish to be on Broadway or in Radio City Music Hall. Many Oklahoma City alumni are currently Rockettes. I hope my list of colleges is helpful in the college application process. Don’t forget to check back in a few days to see what’s happening in the ballet world!

1. The Juilliard School (New York, NY)
2.  Fordham University (Bronx, NY)
3. Point Park University (Pittsburg, PA)
4.  Boston Conservatory (Boston, MA)
5. Brigham Young University (Provo, UT)
6. Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ)
7. Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
8.  Butler University (Indianapolis, IN)
9.  Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma City, OK)
10. SUNY Purchase (Purchase, NY)     
    
    
    
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Cross-Training for Ballerinas

Hi guys, it's Erica! Welcome back to The Ballet World. Today I am going to talk about the best cross-training for ballerinas. Ballet dancers often question if they should even do any exercise besides from ballet. Some types of exercise can build bulky muscles or put ballerinas at risk for injury. From personal experience and clinical research, I would recommend that ballerinas cross-train with pilates, yoga, or swimming.

In order to have strong ballet technique, you need a strong core. Basic pilates exercises will help you strengthen your core. A strong core will reduce stress on your lower back and improve your pelvic alignment. Pilates can also help you improve your extensions. Lastly, pilates exercises target specific muscles and joints. Therefore, these exercises help you determine exactly which parts of your body are tight, weak, or overstretched. Knowing your body in this way will make you more aware of how to prevent future injuries.

Successful ballerinas have strong muscles and good breathing. Yoga exercises will help you strengthen as well as elongate your muscles. This muscle elongation will be helpful when trying to execute good lines with your body while doing ballet. Yoga exercises also make you aware of your breathing. During yoga, you will realize the rhythm of your breathing and work on ways to improve it. Ballerinas need good breathing in order to perform long, difficult variations on stage.

Ballet requires dancers’ entire bodies to be very mobile. Some dancers have tight upper bodies and are constantly looking for ways to stretch this part of their body. Swimming is a perfect exercise to loosen your upper body because it allows your joints to move without the effect of gravity. There are also so many different strokes to choose from. Therefore, you can pick the stroke that targets the muscles you want to work on. Swimming can also help strengthen the back of your torso and shoulders. A strong back is essential for ballet, especially while working with a partner.

I hope my post about cross-training was helpful and insightful for every ballerina that has ever been afraid to exercise outside of ballet class. Don’t forget to check back in a few days to see what’s happening in the ballet world!

 

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