My twins are eager to start ballet lessons, but I don’t know where to start. Where should I look to find a good school for them? Are there any special points that I should pay attention to? Thanks, Richard

I took ballet lessons from ages 7 to 15. Life got in the way and I haven’t danced since I was 15, but I’d like to return to ballet now. I am 22 years old. Is this advisable? How do I start? Thanks, Diane

My 5-year old daughter is showing interest in ballet, but my husband and I are not sure when is the best time for her to start getting ballet lessons. When should my daughter start taking ballet? Thanks, Catherine

I notice that I sometimes feel pressure when I wear my point shoes. But I was quite sure I bought ones with the right fit when I did. How do I know I got the right fit for pointe shoes? Many thanks Caroline

My daughter has been dancing for a few months now. I’d like to save some money so I’m thinking of buying shoes with room for growth. Is it okay to do that? Cheers Marion

I’ve observed that dancers seem to tie the ribbon knot at the same place, but I can’t be sure if it’s the right way to do it. Where is the correct place to tie the ribbon knot? Thanks Karen

My son wants to study ballet. My husband is not keen to let him learn because of the notion that ballet is for girls. I’m willing to give it a shot, but I’m hoping to get sound advice. Should a boy take pointe? If so, at what age? Thanks Juliet

My daughter just started learning ballet. I hear all sorts of advice about shoes, so I’m a bit confused. Which soft slippers are best? Are pointe shoes made of wood? When can I try pointe? Many thanks Jennifer

My child is a bit heavy and not as graceful as some of her friends, but she wants to study ballet. Will ballet be helpful to her? Thanks, Lexi

My 14-year old daughter has been studying ballet for about three years now. I was told by her teacher that she needs to improve her extension. What exercises can you do to improve your extension in dance? Cheers Ana

The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe, one of China’s largest ballet companies, went to the West Coast for a performance on Friday, October 21st, at the Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver. Image Via – Guangzhou Ballet Troupe is   The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe was started in 1994 by Zhang Dandan, a former dancer with the [...]

I have just seen my first ballet performance and I find it very interesting. I was told I watched a contemporary ballet, but it looked like the usual “classical” ballet that I’ve always imagined it to be. What is the difference between classical ballet and contemporary ballet? Thanks Richard

The Manassas Ballet Theatre company will perform ?The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday October 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday October 23 at 3 p.m. Image Via – manassas ballet   The production opens the company?s 2011-12 season, which also includes ?The Nutcracker,? ?Peter and the Wolf? and [...]

I’m 5 foot 4 inches tall and I’m concerned that I’ve gained weight. Is there an ideal weight for ballerinas like me? Thanks, Jessica

I have always loved ballet and it is something I have always wanted to do but my parents could never afford to pay for lessons. Now I’m 27 and I still really love ballet. I want to get involved and experience some of what I missed out on. Problem is, I have a foot injury [...]

I started taking Ballet lessins when I was 4! It was the best thing I could do! When your daughter really wants it, you could seatch for a real Profi-school! Hope i could help;)

what is the average weight of a dancer who is 5'7 ? does anyone know?

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hi mahshid. If you really love ballet then you should continue doing as much as you can at home. when you migrate then you should star class at a studio or school as soon as you can. Practicce everyday or as often as you can and you will be a good ballet dancer. you will probably not get into a company but you will be able to performances that different places put on. Good Luck!

Now! Ballet is a very disciplined form of art. So it's good to start early. I was a professional ballerina and began at two. Madison makes a good point as well, about the flexibility. Look for a teacher who is both strict (needed!) and kind. There is a great deal of constructive criticism and it's important to understand that it is constructive, rather than critical. The instructor should have a life long experience in classical ballet. Hope this helps! Sian

along with those wonderful stretches above(btw it does get you full extension in months) you can also do the splits. I know it sounds very basic but it is so true. If you are flat in your splits try doing super splits(it's when you put your front leg on something higher) start out by doing it about 1ft as you get more flexible move your leg higher. Remember that you also need the strength to keep your leg high not just flexibility: ) Good luck

I think it's great that your son is doing ballet. I've done ballet for a few years and never had a boy in my class, So I'm not very experienced in pa de daux. If he sticks with it he will get a lot of attention from the girls so most of the guys won't make fun of him. Boys usually don't take pointe, but I've heard of them taking it if they need to strengthen their ankles. But they most likely will not perform on pointe. Tell your son that he is AWESOME for wanting to take up ballet.

Jasmine is right. On the inside of the ankle in the natural dip

If your daughter is younger than about ten years old it is usually safe to buy with a little room for growing. If she is older it will take longer for her feet to grow \you would most likely be needing new ones before they are too tight to dance in anyways. If you are getting pointe shoes though it is very dangerous to get to big of a size, it can do a lot of damage. I hope that helped your situation.

Sometimes even if a certain brand of shoe is fitted to you and is the right size, it is the wrong shoe. That happened to me. I tried four different brands of shoes before I found the perfect one and my came to my fitting every time. You should ask your teacher to pay special attention to the way you break in your shoes and if she thinks you need a new kind. Good Luck. I hope you find a good pair of shoes.

All of my teachers have always recomonded split soles and that's what I would recomend. When you have split sole shoes it easier to work through the foot and your feet will get stronger faster. You will be able to move to pointe more quickly. If you are waiting and working toward pointe, I recomend you get "The Perfect Pointe Book." When I broke my ankle that book helped me out a lot to regain my strength. Good luck to your daughter.

Catarina Hi. I'm not trying to sound mean, but I don't think you will be able to into a major company that late sorry. But most states in the US have there own company that if you work hard you can get into. I hope that helped : )

15 is NOT too late to dance. :) You should DEFINITELY try it! Check out my website princessballet.wordpress.com and go to the post Benefits of Ballet. There are many benefits in taking ballet and its also REALLY fun! :) I recommend it!! I started when I was 6 and I have LOVED it ever since!! Caitlin, Try doing some exercises to improve your ankles. I have some that are on my website that you might want to try! :) Just look at the link above! :) Incase anyone wants to know, I am a couple months from turning 13 years old and I would love it if you checked out my blog! :) Thanks! Good luck! ;) ~Gracie

15 is NOT too late to dance. :) You should DEFINITELY try it! Check out my website princessballet.wordpress.com and go to the post Benefits of Ballet. There are many benefits in taking ballet and its also REALLY fun! :) I recommend it!! I started when I was 6 and I have LOVED it ever since!! Caitlin, Try doing some exercises to improve your ankles. I have some that are on my website that you might want to try! :) Just look at the link above! :) Incase anyone wants to know, I am a couple months from turning 13 years old and I would love it if you checked out my blog! :) Thanks! ~Gracie

hi.I am 22.I really love ballet.but I can not go to classes because I live in Iran and there is no good classes in Tehran.I do some of the positions at home.in few years I will migrate to USA. I think its too late to start dancing in 23 or 24.I want your opinion about this.I forget dancing or I continue to day that I can be a good ballet dancer? :(

I am 13 years old and I took ballet tap and gymnastics for two years when I was 6 to 8. I remember nothing and would like to train to finally acheive en pointe. I ride horses one day a week for 8 years do you think that since this stregthens your ankles that I will acheive en pointe sooner?

Did you know that you can make your shoes last about twice as long with Hot Stuff glue? There are a lot of different products that dancers use to harden their pointe shoes, but top ballet companies like New York City Ballet, Pacific Northwest, Boston Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, and others use Hot Stuff because they have found Hot Stuff is the most effective and saves the most money on their shoe budgets. If you would like to know more, you can see our video on Youtube made by Maria Chapman of Pacific Northwest Ballet- just search for pointe shoe glue. or on our website at http://www.caglue.com/Pointe-Shoe-strengthening_ep_56.html.

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Hi! I always loved dancing but somehow I never attended ballet classes. Ii'm 18 and I'll start in September! I promise!! I know I can become a good dancer, but is it in any way possible to become a professional ballerina with a major comapany like the Royal or ABT starting at 18?!? The answer is probably no, but I just want your opinion on the matter. Thanks! Catarina :D

The best thing for performance is to saw (with hand and needle), but anzway inside the ankle.