A recent poll in an Adult Dancers – Ballet forum asked users to identify their “ballet status.” The results showed that almost 30-percent of the people who responded considered themselves to be an “adult beginner, adult restarter, or recreational” dancer.

Clearly, it’s never too late to begin ballet!

You’re Not Alone

An online search for “adult beginner ballet classes” offers over 648,000 results. Ballet discussion forums house numerous posts with questions from adults who want to begin taking classes. And whether you join to improve your overall fitness or to satisfy your unfulfilled childhood dream of becoming a dancer, it’s never too late to begin ballet.

Even if you’ve never owned a pair of ballet slippers, you can find a studio and start taking classes. The tips in this post will help you begin successful ballet training.

Dance Uniform: What to Expect

For adult beginners, dance uniform varies by school. For example, in the Boston Ballet School’s adult-beginner class, students are required to wear ballet slippers, but can select their own dancewear. Some students wear a traditional leotard and tights, and others opt for sweatpants, leggings, and t-shirts.

If your school does not require a specific ballet uniform for adult beginners, choose clothing that is flexible, form-fitting, and comfortable. If clothing is too baggy, an instructor cannot easily monitor and correct your body positioning.

Evaluate a Dance Studio and Instructor

When selecting a ballet class for adult beginners, there are several qualities to look for. If you’re trying to select from several studios, keep these guidelines in mind.

“Ballet” versus “Dance Fitness”

First, make sure you distinguish between “ballet” classes and “dance fitness” classes. Dance fitness classes use dancing as a form of exercise. Classes include steps from Latin, swing, tango, and hip hop dance styles.

While dance fitness classes emphasize exercise, fun, and movement, they don’t teach ballet fundamentals. You might get in shape and enjoy yourself in a dance fitness class, but you won’t learn ballet.

Multiple Levels of Beginner-Courses

Secondly, when choosing a dance class, find out if the school offers multiple levels of adult-beginner ballet classes. Such schools are likely to recognize that adult ballet beginners are serious students.

In schools with multiple adult-beginner levels, the first level of classes is for students with no experience in ballet. Adults who studied ballet during childhood and have forgotten their training may also wish to take this first-level course. This beginner class will teach ballet vocabulary and ballet fundamentals. Students may spend about a year in a first-level adult-beginner class before advancing to the next level of adult-beginner classes.

Find the Right Age Group

Depending on the studio you find, and the number of adult ballet beginner classes that are offered, you might consider taking beginner classes with younger students. Your personal preference and comfort level may determine how you weigh the pros and cons of taking classes that are only for adult beginners.

Advantages of Adult-Beginner Classes

The first advantage to taking classes designed for adult ballet beginners is that you will develop relationships with the students in your class. This will immediately help you feel comfortable and enjoy your ballet class. You and other students will be of similar age, and you may even have children who go to school together. But in a class for young dancers, it might be hard to relate to other students.

A second advantage of taking classes with adult beginners is that your fitness level will probably match the fitness levels of other students. And, the instructor may spend extra time working on the flexibility and strength limitations that some adult ballet beginners face. In a class for younger students the instruction may be the same, but the teacher won’t necessarily focus on the specific needs of older beginners.

Disadvantages of Adult-Beginner Classes

You should keep in mind, however, that there are some disadvantages if you decide to only take adult beginner classes.

First, these classes sometimes have inconsistent attendance rates. Adult ballet beginners should be prepared to practice two to three times per week. But some adult beginners will routinely find themselves putting home, family, and job responsibilities above a commitment to ballet class. By contrast, in a class with younger dancers, students attend on a more regular basis. If you practice with younger dancers, you won’t be alone when class falls on the same weeknight as the elementary school’s parent-teacher association meeting.

Depending on the studio, a second disadvantage of taking only adult-beginner classes is that you might not be challenged enough. Some adult beginners complain that adult classes are too relaxed. Unfortunately, this may mean that some instructors don’t take their adult beginner students seriously.

Begin Your Study of Ballet

If you’re an adult ballet beginner, understand that some of the disadvantages we’ve listed are just warnings. In actuality, many adult beginners find dance teachers who provide attentive and meaningful instruction. If you keep these points in mind, you should be able to pick a teacher who will respect and challenge you, and find a class that will be engaging.

As an adult ballet beginner, you will improve your overall fitness, increase your strength, gain flexibility, and—most importantly—have fun! Adults who want to begin ballet might put off joining a class when “To-Do” lists pile up, or when a tired body begs to sit in front of the television after work. But once you commit to classes, you’ll find that ballet can improve your life.

Whether you study in sweat pants or in a leotard, with adults or with young students, you’ll soon think less of yourself as an adult and more of yourself as a dancer.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON CLASSES FOR ADULT BALLET BEGINNERS?

Have you recently started taking classes as an adult ballet beginner?

Can you recommend a class or instructor for adult ballet beginners?

Are you an instructor who can offer advice to adult ballet beginners?

Comment on this post with your advice or questions!