the right place to dance
Finding a ballet school that feels like home and teachers supportive of adult dancers.
The adult ballet world has way more possibilities to offer than I could ever imagine, but more often than not, it’s up to us adult dancers to actively seek out those opportunities. There is no doubt that ballet is still strongly youth-oriented: while the typical ballet curriculum for children usually includes training for pointe shoes and performance opportunities - besides a regular progressing curriculum - these opportunities are not always offered for adult dancers. As adult students it’s easy to feel discouraged when faced with closed doors and limited training options.
As an adult ballet dancer in Finland, I’ve not yet found one single ballet school that offers the full range of experiences I’d like to have as a dancer: progressive curriculum from beginner to advanced, pointe shoe training, and the opportunity to learn choreography and perform in a group. Instead, I have had to recreate my own “self-made” program that includes: attending regular technique classes at one school, separately joining a choreography workshop at a different school to get a chance to perform, and at the same time looking for yet another school specifically for pointe shoes training.
If you’re lucky enough to find a school that ticks all your boxes, great for you! But in my experience - and that of many other ballet students I know - we often need to think outside the box and craft our own path. While trying to recreate my ideal ballet training, I feel like I have ultimately stayed with the places and teachers who truly made me feel welcomed and believed in me as a dancer. So here are a few tips from my own journey to help you craft your own path as an adult dancer:
1) Express Your Goals and Wishes
First of all, it’s important to share your wishes and goals with your teacher. In the adult ballet world, many opportunities are not presented as clearly as they are in children’s program. When I first asked my teacher if they offered performance opportunities for adults, they said they didn’t, simply because most adult students never expressed such an interest. This is a reality especially in drop-in/beginner classes, where every student attends with different goals in mind. The same applies to pointe training. Pointe and ballet are often treated as separate paths, so just attending regular ballet classes doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end up in pointe shoes. You need to actively ask or look for specific pointe classes to make it happen.
When I started my adult ballet journey, I had two specific long-term goals in mind: going on pointe and performing. I literally contacted every ballet school in my area, asking whether they offered long-term adult programmes that included pointe training and performance opportunities for adults. Among the many dismissive responses, I have discovered some amazing ballet schools and supportive teachers who truly valued adult training.
2) Make the Most of the Online World
Secondly, if you’re struggling to find a school or teacher that matches your ballet dreams, don’t underestimate the power of online training. There are countless online resources that can support your practice and help you fill in gaps in your training. Some of my favorite platforms include: Ballet with Isabella (BLI), Broche Ballet and Ballet Beautiful, which offer a mix of free content and paid programs, allowing you to customize your training based on your needs. Online resources are especially helpful when paired with regular in-person practice, as they can help you target specific areas of your training that aren’t always covered in class.
4) Workshops, Summer Camps and Intensives
If regular classes aren’t an option, consider investing in a workshop, summer camp or events organized specifically for adult dancers. These can be an amazing way to focus on specific areas of your technique, like pointe work or choreography, but also for building a sense of community within ballet. Some awesome workshops and events for adult dancers are, for instance: Adult Ballet Academy by Veronica Vacanza and the International Adult Ballet Festival.
Ultimately, finding the right ballet space comes down to feeling welcomed and supported as an adult dancer. While some places will always be more focused on children, the adult ballet world has grown immensely over the years and is and it's full of beautiful opportunities for those who know where to look.
And although it might take some creativity and effort for you to tailor your ballet activities, your adult ballet journey is yours to create and you have the freedom to fill it with all the beautiful experiences you desire. 🩰
