I am so grateful that the encyclopedia book I read as a little kid had an anatomical graph of pointe shoes, so at a young age I knew it's made of many layers of fabric. Never thought about I would get on pointe at the age of 22. I started ballet for fun as an adult at 18
My boyfriend took up ballet because he wanted to be strong, fit and surrounded by strong, fit women and he was 4 at the time he's now 16 and still agrees with that 6 year old statement😂
The last one is interesting. The word is Italian, and in Italy we say "ballerina" for any girl/woman that does ballet, either a 11 years old student or an étoile.
t_ellah wow and as an adult I personally want to consider myself one even though it's for principal dancers 100% but I'm glad that I'm finding out the truth about the definition of it normally I just say that I'm a Ballet dancer and it's more appropriate too
Melody Princess Serenity I think if you consider yourself one it totally makes sense. However, it might happen that some people will think you are making a mistake, if you say you're a ballerina in the U.S. The thing about language is that you have two options, you either say things the way that the population chose to say them (even if wrong), or you say it right lol I am Italian, I also speak French and Spanish. Sometimes when I say French words that are used in English I say them with the English pronunciation, and it feels weird because I know it's not 100% correct (same with Italian), but I also know that if I say some of those words with the correct pronunciation, nobody will understand. Language is about compromise sometimes.
Men can get away with starting later. It isn't unheard of for a guy to start in his teens and become a professional. As they don't (usually) do pointe work, they don't need years of training under their belt so soon.
Sort of, but you can't enter senior competitions until you are 16. So maybe they can be really good, or an elite junior, but can't go to the olympics or compete as a senior in national/world championships
What about that all dancers are skinny? I feel like that isn't addressed enough. I don't have the stereotypical ballet body, but I'm technical and graceful. Body type doesn't determine ability
Jillian Howell But you don't have to be in a company to be a dancer. There are many more careers in dance than just being in a ballet company. Not all dancers are super thin. I'm not fat, I just don't have the stereotypical body of a BALLET dancer. I do ballet, but ballet isn't the only option.
Madisyn DeHorn yes but honestly your weight and body type does effect your technique and ability to dance. It easier for ones with the right body type and low weight, it sounds rude but ballet is an aesthetic art and it is 50% how do you look and 50% artistry. Look at all those Russian dancers, there is a reason why they are the best.
Margarette Perez I relate bc I'm turning 15 this year but I'm starting classes during the school term. I think that if you want it bad enough and try hard enough and commit you/we can make it xoxox
Karen Katz I'm in nursing school and ballet is totally a stress reducer for me, too! And I love applying her ballet student tips to nursing school too :) we all need to take care of ourselves and work hard :)
Best of luck in your nursing career! It is so very important to have a healthy life outside of nursing in able to be a good nurse. I love Katie and her fellow dancers for their artistry and for bringing so much beauty into an often less than beautiful world.
I have to say, I am so surprised that you didn't include the myth that "Everyone who dances en pointe ruins their feet beyond repair". I still get that so often. Sometimes it can be hard to explain that there's somereally good padding available nowadays and that with the right shoe you can minimize the damage you might do to your feet. (And that there's a difference between being a professional/prepro and a recreational dancer when it comes to the amount of time actually spent wearing pointe shoes.) Or that pointe shoes don't actually have a block of wood in the box on which we stand! That one still cracks me up every time! :D
Martine M Oh, the feet complaint! A classic! It really gets on my nerves. I mean track & field althetes or marathon runners also get blisters and black toe nails and I don't see people making a big deal about it... ah, well.
I think the difference is that athletes and runners aren't expected to be beautiful: blisters etc. are expected. Ballet dancers, on the other hand, project this beauty and elegance and super-human grace, and it's all supposed to look effortless. Blisters quite ruin the ethereal image. Because they break an image, they come as more of a shock, and people respond differently.
I supose you're right, but i also think with how they are valued. Most people think the hardships of sport are worth going through, while with ballet people are always questioning if the outcome it's worth the pain.
I just turned 40 and I am taking ballet at Nashville ballet once to twice a week. I enjoy it now more than ever. Our Teacher takes the adult class very serious and I love that. I'm glad to know i'm not the only adult that watches your videos.
I started with a Company Adult Beginning Class when I was in my thirties and quickly became addicted to it! I absolutely loved it and practiced almost nonstop and became so bad that my girlfriend began to worry about me. I was a very good high school athlete but ballet just tapped into everything I am or ever wanted to be. It was at the 4 year point that they invited me to take their adult intermediate/advanced classes. Once that happened, there was a odd sort of acceptance that took place. You look all around yourself and see Pro's or ex-Pro's and they look at you as a fellow dancer. Someone who just craves the art with the same passion they do.
Good on you for following your passion! I'm 45 and I was a child dancer for a decade. It's the one thing in life I regret letting go. I spent years trying to get back into schools but they're not adult friendly here. I'm at that point in life where I'm letting go of the ideals and just doing it anyway! No judgment in my living room. 😁
Martha Graham was 17 when she saw her first dance performance. True, to become a professional ballet dancer, it helps if you start early. But that doesn't mean you're late to anything. Work hard and love what you do. :)
Layla Perry there's tons of foot protection and stuff to make sure you feel the least pain possible. You'll probably get blisters, and your toenails might fall off, but none of that is permanent :)
Layla Perry Being on pointe isnt what you think it depends on what shoes your wearing and the right equipment. I highly hope you get toe pads bc those are going to be your best friends!! :) 😂
I am currently 14 years old, and I quit ballet when I was around 8-9, but I continued with gymnastics, do you think I would be able to start ballet again?
Leah Johnson Just like in the video, Misty Copeland started at 13. Many dancers start late. I know dancers who have started different styles of dance at 16 and are now professional dancers. It is never too late
I know a lot of people in your situation who have gone on to professional careers. Your flexibility and strength(gymnastics) and maturity(age) could actually be an asset.
I had to give up ballet thanks to my Alessandra Ferri arches. Because my feet were so arched and flexible they had no actual strength. On pointe it felt like my navicular bone were pushing me forwards, and my toes were sinking in the shoes. I ruined my ankles due to that... Also being too flexible over all can get you in real trouble, esp. if you have joint hypermobility (so called 'double joints'). If i knew what i know now back when i was a student!
If you do go back here’s some advice, I also have flexible feet so for pointe shoes get a crossed elastic and if your sinking in your pointe shoes get a sock liner bc that usually happens due to your pointe shoe being a little taller than your foot. Get a theraband to strengthen your feet too
Most of the time if people say what after school stuff do you do I say dance rather than ballet because they all think ballet is all tutus, glitter and pixie dust
I started at about 3 year old till i was nine then moved overseas and didn't dance for a year and a half i dance for 2 and a half years i then stopped because of time issues about 2 years ago and am now starting this year!
Nope, didn't start pointe till I was 30. Honestly I think I got there sooner because I was an adult. Hearing and applying corrections is easier for adults. We also take it more seriously than 10 year olds! So we do the exercises. We don't slack off and hope for the best, lol. It honestly makes a difference just trying it for a while. Every correction you've ever been given will suddenly make sense. And your instructor will never have to tell you to pull up again...
The other really important myth to bust is that a career in a ballet company is the only option for dancers professionally. There are fringe companies, contemporary troupes, modern groups, film, tv and theatre options, musical theatre etc etc. I performed professionally in a circus as an aerialist and comedy contortionist in my 20s then went into physical comedy! (yes I was one of the funny kids at ballet). Now in my 40s I dance recreationally still after retiring due to health a few years ago. I got to be a chook in "La fille' as well a friend. It was wonderful being a chook, I love the comedic roles. I also created some very serious pieces that were done in fringe performances. Ballet gave me this! I connected with many ballet trained women and men over the years in these fringe spaces.
This!! Especially the all pink & glitter one and all men are gay myths. Gosh how I hate hearing those... I find the last one very rude (assuming that you're gay or straight or whatever) and the first is just so so annoying to hear!! Like if all people only knew what it takes to be a dancer and do that jump and those steps etc.
Yes! You're absolutely right! I ushered at a performance where a bunch of kids and teenagers from a ballet school danced and there was a 17 year old guy who was phenomenal. Another usher said, "He looks gay" and someone said, "No ya think?" And they burst out laughing. I later heard from a ballet teacher that this particular dancer had a girlfriend who also performed that day. I'm involved in theatre and I get frustrated when someone says, "No ALL guys involved must be gay...". And I'm like "Well, not necessarily..."
Yeah, and why do people want to know the sexuality of a dancer anyway? I mean, what has their love life to do with their ability to dance? No matter if someone is gay/straight/bisexual or whatever, they are amazing dancers. It doesn't affect their work. Stereotypes like these frustrate me to no end.
To anyone interested in the gay vs straight issue, gay male dancers can be very masculine and move strongly and love that work as much as the more 'feminine' qualities of the art. Conversely straight male dancers may enjoy the artistic and feminine side of the artform as much or more as the strength and athleticism.
TheLululililala Part of me likes to think that Ballet is an art that requires athletic strength and mental strength. (The other part completely agrees that ballet is a sport though.)
It's not a freaking sport and I don't understand why people say it is or CARE that it isn't considered such, as though 'sport' is synonymous with 'artform worthy or respect'.
5'10" (6'3" in pointe shoes) adult ballet dancer here. I definitely didn't want to be a pro dancer as a kid, and don't wish I could be now. I have the crazy feet and lax ligaments. Honestly, ballet has been the only thing that's kept me from hurting myself (again). I have a tendency to accidentally hyper extend certain joints and ballet has given me more control and strengthened muscles years in PT never could. I love my studio. We have some people who danced seriously when they were younger, but all of us are there just because we love dance. No other reason. :)
I did ballet when I was younger, and while I had no problem with the physicality of it (loved the pointe), the 'I have to do better, I have to do more' perfectionist mindset really messed with my head. Pushed harder and harder and harder, and in my head I never was good enough. Ended up permanently destroying my hips and knees, became life-long friends with depression an anxiety. Would I do it again? Yes.
I'm a ballet dancer and I'm not skinny and I'm not fat. To be honest she should of said that one but it doesn't matter what you look like or how much you weigh because you shouldn't let that stop you from following your dreams.
I grew up on contact and combat sports and thought dancing was gay especially ballet. I think times have changed now, with all the dance shows, showing that dance is for everyone. Now I teach ballet, after finding it as an adult years ago
I'm 15 and I've been doing ballet for 13 years. I am 5'0" and do many more styles than just ballet. A lot of people don't realize that they can succeed in other styles of dance than ballet, because ik I will never make it in ballet because I'm short and have a long torso short legs and bad knees. But I do well in other styles. There's more to dance than ballet (but ballet is VERY VERY important)
I once heard someone say ballet dancers didn't move their torso much because they wore corsets on stage. Please bust this myth. Ballet dancers do not wear real corsets on stage, or at least not ones that would inhibit movement.
The only way you don't have the body for it is if you have a serious malformation. Train, practice, don't give up and don't let your own mind psyche you out.
On the point of ballet being a tough sport, I vaguely remember a show on tv where I live which swapped the lives of a male ballet dancer with a professional footballer, and in it the beginning the footballer was like sceptical, macho . At the end the footballer was saying he had it wrong, that although as a footballer they trained hard, he said dancers trained harder .
I used to think "ballerina" was for every female ballet dancer, "prima ballerina" for principal dancers and "prima ballerina assoluta" for divas like Sylvie Guillem... cri cri
I got to say that the last one myth was abit of shock to me but I still consider myself as a dancer regards of my age and ability. so I'm thankful to know more about the truth of Ballet
Don't worry Melody! You ARE a dancer! It's just if you want to get "technical", all ballet dancers aren't "ballerinas". But like I said, the term is used very loosely now. So not to worry!
I'm glad you mentioned extensions and it's been driving me crazy. Not to mention that Margot Fontyen famous Ballet dancer in history didn't have high extension but she still danced beautifully
i have really bendy feet and its awful en pointe. there is NO shoes out there for me i wear bloch european balance and aparently thats a 'hard shank'. i have learnt to pull back but my feet are still dangerously over the box and i feel like i can break my foot. I NEED HELP. i'm scared to go en pointe
Brigette Lawrence the sugar plum fairy at NYCB had ode bendy feet and she FELL in the middle of her solo! I saw her go over her box and i was like oh shit here goes them shoes dead 😳
Violet Heroine I use grishko vaganova too because they are the only ones who support my feet enough not to go over the box. I've Also tried other grishkos but despite the good support they all had a wrong shape. It all depends on your feet
I was in a ballet company from about age 9 until age 16. Then we moved and I did some ballet in high school but there really wasn't a company around for me to be in so then I did a little bit in college stayed away from it for quite a few years went back when I was 40 had to quit again due to life circumstances and now I'm 64 and doing it again and I absolutely love it. It really helps reduce my anxiety and depression I love ballet dancing!
Céline Meyermans If you're very dedicated, go for it! Watch some videos and pay attention to the technique, that's the most important part. Practice flexibility and work hard!
Extremely glad to hear that professional ballet dancers eat :D I basically stopped doing ballet a few years ago because there was not enough time to eat! I was horrified as most people would only eat a bit and then we would get back into rehearsal. I was like "chill, I wanna eat my WHOLE sandwich" but sadly was outnumbered and never got to finish my lunch :( So relieved that food is seen as important for adult ballet dancers.
That statement about strength of mind, oh my god it's so true. That was my problem all the years I did ballet. I gave up quickly and didn't push myself too far, now I recognize the mistake because I saw it repeating itself in other circumstances where grit and a strong mind where necessary.
When it comes to the having ‘really good feet’ part I can confirm. I’ve always been told that my feet are amazing, very arched and flexible. However, I do have a hard time with strength.
When you made the point about dancers coming back to do ballet is what I am trying to do right now! I grew up being unable to afford the ballet classes, so I quit for a while.
I dance ballet and absolutely hate it when people call me a ballerina. Like no I’m not an actual ballerina. And that makes me sound all princessy. When someone tried to guess what kind of dance I do the guesses hip hop.
"Dancers do not eat" Have you ever been to a studio or competition? There's food everywhere Literally Everywhere We constantly are always either eating or drinking Starbucks Lmao
Awesome post, Miss Katy. LOVED IT. Just a note: Misty Copeland is a ballet *prodigy*. By that I mean that her starting at 13 and going to the top of her profession is very rare. The vast majority of female dancers who start that late aren't going to be able to do what she did. She really is a very special case. For the guys, they can start later and "make it" as pro dancers, but even for those who go to the top, they have to be special.
OMG thank you for Nr. 2!! I wrote a text in your community about that I've stopped dancing in pointe shoes because my teacher said my feet were too bad for pointes. My dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer was blown up but now I have my motivation back after reading all the comments from the community on my text and your video❤️
I like ballet dance but im more of a jazz, lyrical person. I want to be a professional dancer but I've never done ballet. I would just love to be a professional dancer but I want to be a different type of dancer and I see little people wanting contemporary or musical theater dancers. And I feel like I just won't make it.😕
I'm that "Adult ballet student" - started as an adult and I just LOVE taking class and have been fortunate to go en pointe and enjoy the occasional performance opportunities. I do this while enjoying a "regular, real" career that I love! Definitely worth diving it, it is a sport, a discipline, an art, a sub-culture, even.
I recently stopped ballet after 15 years, I'll be 18 in a couple of months. I loved dancing so much but I didn't feel confident at class anymore, I wasn't one of the skinny ones there and I felt like I was a whale on the dance floor, I had no friends because I fell out with one girl a while back and everyone turned on me (yay), even though I've known them all since I was 2/3, AND I didn't feel I'd actually get anywhere with ballet anyway... even though I have stopped, I hope that in the future I can start to put the time back into dancing and re-find my passion. Lots of love to all of my fellow bunheads! ❤️❤️❤️
I am going to yagp next month and I was wondering if you had any tips on making your shoes quieter? I just switched to an extremely hard shoe and it is sooo loud! thanks! ilysm!
Janelle Wilkinson i don’t do ballet although I’ve heard you can lightly hit the bottom edge of your pointe shoe, that might be something I made up but idk.
I'm a 15-yearold girl who is 5'7" and has feet and knees that hurt all the time, and I started ballet 6 months ago. I was terrified, because I look nothing like the stereotypical balletdancer. But it's been 6 months and I love it. I feel beautiful and graceful, which is the first time ever I've felt that way. I've been bingewatching your videos for the past hour and I've decided to take another year of class after this year is finished, so thank you! Lots of love
Thank you very much! I used to know a male Russian ballet dancer who started ballet at 16. He was a village boy who had just arrived at a big city and stumbled at a ballet class. He was 5 ft 6" to boot. Several years later he was already a soloist with some of Russia's leading companies. His height was the only thing that prevented him from becoming a principal. He was devilishly talented. He died a few years ago from cancer.
I love your videos so much and they are so helpful! I was just wondering how are you doing with your thyroid and stuff, I feel like you talk about it much so hopefully that means that it is a lot better!
I am a ballet dancer, I recently was paralyzed from the belly button down and am having a hard time with quadracept (vastus medialis, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris) strength and gastrocnemius (calf) strength because I cannot feel from my knees down. If anyone has any tips or tricks to help I would be forever grateful.
I'm not a dancer, and have not taken dance classes at all since childhood... but i love these videos! Thanks for putting in so much effort, i love learning this material.
It's never too late! Even if you aren't going to go professional, dance is a wonderful thing. Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. Go for it! Learn to dance!
7:30 - I was told the opposite myth, I'm 5'11 and my entire life people told me I was "too tall" to do any sort of dance, and it wasn't until I got to college that my teacher told me she'd lost roles because they wanted someone taller
I honestly think many of these myths can apply to theater as well and that's something I enjoy so much about performing arts!Performing arts have so many similarities but so many differences as well😍😍😍
I've done other types of dance before, but I've never done ballet before, and i'm considering joining my first year in high school. Katie do u have any thoughts on that?
Rachel Grace I started my first year of high school and it took a lot of hard work but now I've improved a lot! It's super possible, good luck if you do decide to pursue it!
yup I actually started in 10th grade! technically I'd done ballet before (when I was six to maybe until I was nine), but honestly I didn't remember any of it. I'm now in my final year at high school and I've definitely seen a lot of improvement and it's still really fun!
I'm one of those adult dancers you mentioned, and I may never ever make it into pointe shoes because ballet is recreational for me. I was hoping you could do a video or podcast for people like me describing what dancing on pointe is like - how does it feel different than ballet shoes, what muscles have to be developed, and the process dancers go through to learn pointe. Thanks!
This is awesome, I love ballet! Both my brothers are in ballet and they brag about it. They are so amazing at it too! I started ballet at 11 and now I'm 14, I just got my pointe shoes! Your videos are amazing!😄
I have a group of friends and we all do ballet except one of use.That one girl kept making fun of ballet,so we took her to our class and she cried when the teacher sat on her.She was a baby!She couldn't even touch her toes.She never said anything against ballet again!
These things are always sooo satisfying to hear as a dancer! And I've finally found a video I can show to my non-dance friends, because getting them to let go of stereotypes can be really difficult. Thank you Kathryn!
Actually, I don't think that's true. Sure, many dancers are really flat, but that's because they have to work so hard. If you're a dancer with "big boobs", it might affect your dancing, but training a lot would probably help you to counteract any effect they may have on your dancing. Not to mention that there are dancers that have boobs and are really successful, like Misty Copeland.
I've been dancing ballet for about 12 years and I have pretty large boobs, but I'm also the best in my class. Boob size doesn't affect your dancing as long as you work just as hard as everyone else
Not true. You just have to work a lot harder than the other people in your class. This is coming from a DDD ballerina. You need a whole lot of support and dedication!
I mean it has roots in truth because dancers with big boobs will basically wear extremely tight sports bras and will basically try to squeeze the boobs in as much as possible
I never thought ballet dancers' lives were glamorous...I knew they were working sooo hard. But the term ballerina and the usage was really new info for me, thanks for that!
Evelien Van Oppens don't be stressed, Just focus on yourself, other People are important but YOU should be your main focus . And to learn it maybe try filming it to rewatch later. Good Luck! !
I began ballet at 13 years old (it didn't have ballet teacher before) and I didn't know that misty Copeland too. What I hate the most about ballet myths it's the people who say that ballet is twirling in pink tutu
Philine Reck no that’s not it either it’s that we don’t eat unhealthy food all the time and we eat food that gives us strength but doesn’t take a toll on our figure or strength
i was watching this because i am about to audition for ABT's nutcracker and this just gave me a HUGE boost of confidence i got in last year as a fairy and the year i'm going for party girl or little clara but i cant believe that im talking about doing ABT nutcracker its awesome!!!!!!!
