What's the Best Age to Start Taking Ballet Classes?

When’s the best time for my child to start taking ballet classes?

We often get asked by parents about this. The thing is, there’s no one correct answer to this. It depends on a plethora of factors.

In this post, we’ll answer this question based on one of the most important considerations - your goals:

What Is the Best Age to Start Ballet if the Goal Is to Be a Professional Ballerina?

If your goal is for your child to grow up to be a professional ballerina, it’s a good idea to have them start as early as possible. This is because they’ll get introduced to proper techniques and be exposed to discipline early on. This will be the perfect foundation on which your child’s subsequent training will be built. Many start taking ballet lessons at the age of four or five, though serious training often starts at eight years old. 

In a way, you can compare early ballet training with preschool. They take these classes to be introduced to ballet and to get the building blocks they need for later. 

Of course, it’s necessary to ensure that your child is taught by the right instructor, who can help ensure that the right technique is taught from the beginning. 

It’s also worth noting that many professional ballerinas didn’t get started with ballet until they were eight or nine ( some even as old as eleven) and still made it. So, if your child is quite motivated, getting started at eight or nine can still help them get a successful career later as a ballerina. That said, they should be really dedicated, and you should find them the best ballet program you can find. Make sure your child understands that they’d be training for about eight to sixteen hours every week.

What If Your Child Wants to Dance in College?

College ballet programs are really competitive, so you want to give your child as much advantage as you can. For this reason, you should get your child started as early as possible. Starting them at age five to eight will equip them for the rigorous training they’ll have later on. 

Is There an Age That’s Considered “Too Old” for Beginner Ballet Lessons?

While you can’t be too old to start ballet if your goal is to simply learn the dance, be physically fit, and have fun, However, starting ballet when one is over 18 years of age can be quite challenging. For one, it’s more difficult to find beginner adult ballet classes. Of course, you can always get private ballet lessons from a reputable dance instructor in your area. 

Another challenge is that your child might not be as flexible as they were when they were younger, so it might take a while for them to learn the complex steps that often require flexibility. This wouldn’t be a problem if your child just wants to learn ballet and isn’t planning to do it professionally.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best age to start ballet will depend on your goals for your child as well as other factors. If your child is aiming to dance professionally or to take dance in college, it’s highly recommended that you get your child started on their ballet lessons as early as five years old.   Regardless of age, those interested in ballet should be aware that consistency, dedication, and focus are necessary for growth and success.

At Dance Dynamics, we strive to provide a positive, enriching experience for young dancers. Our mission is to nurture the development of our students through dance while fostering a sense of self-confidence and self-expression. We want to give our students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their future endeavors while also encouraging their creativity and passion for dance. We strive to provide an environment of support, encouragement, and guidance to help our students reach their fullest potential. Learn more about our ballet program today