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Advice from dancers please! (or anyone)

Mon, 31 July 2006, 02:49 pm
Sariele9 posts in thread
Hi there, *brace yourself for a bit of backstory here* I am an ex dance student who wanted to try and go professional up until I was about 16. Then I had a bit of an emotional crisis and decided that I was never going to make it, and gave up on the idea of auditioning for WAAPA. I would have probably got in too; at the end of year 12 I won a Subject Exhibition for Dance from the Curriculum Council, and I know that all my teachers were disappointed that I didn't want to dance as more than a hobby. Not that I was particularly brilliant, but I at least may have had a future as a choreographer or something. So instead I went and did a useless film degree. Then I quit dancing all together at the age of 21, as I couldn't keep up with all the little 18 year olds in my classes any more. Since then I've just been doing a fun and not very challenging tap class once a week. But now, I'm starting to become plagued with regrets. I've been waking up in the middle of the night close to tears because I've been dreaming about dancing and how much I love it. It's becoming a bit unbearable. (Sorry to be so dramatic!) So my question to you guys is: Is it possible for someone who is 25 years old who has lost pretty much all of what little dance technique they used to have to go back to classes and become even better than they were before (to the point where they may even be able to audition for professional shows)? My inspiration is Catherine Zeta-Jones who hadn't danced since she was 19 before she did Chicago. True her performance was mostly singing-based, but she could move too! Sorry for being so long-winded, but I really really need to know what you guys think. Thanks. :)

Well, you've certainly

Mon, 11 Sept 2006, 01:31 pm
Walter Plinge
Well, you've certainly gotten alot of feedback on this one. I agree with the majority - if you were a good dancer when you were younger you will remember how to dance no matter how long you take off. I didn't dance for almost 6 years after learning for 11, and having started up again (I'm 26 too, by the way) I think I'm better now than I was when I was 15. You really need a good teacher though that will push you - I would consider private training if you're serious about a profession in dance - taking perspective into consideration, you do probably need to get your butt into gear time-wise. And start auditioning for as much as you can - if you can't find work in Australia, get on a cruise ship or hit London, there are plenty of places to go. If this is waking you up in tears, (!!!) do something about it, regret (and waste) is a terrible, terrible thing.

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