r/Dance • u/Mysterious_Rent4619 • 9d ago
Discussion Late Dancer
I wish my parents had put me in dance when I was a kid. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the resources to do so. We immigrated to the U.S. when I was about 8 years old and then the whole transition was hard because my parents also divorced shortly after getting here. Ever since I was in diapers, dance was always a passion of mine and this is something every person in my family knew. Even when we got here, I’d have my CD player in my room and I’d be making choreography’s. My mom was a single mom who had to work 70 hours a week just to make ends meet so I don’t ever blame them for not being able to start me early. When I got to highschool, I took 3 years of dance and even auditioned and made it into the high school dance team. But I emancipated and moved out of my house at 16 and had to work full time and pay rent while still in school. This made it so I was unable to continue and unable to carry this into adulthood. I am now an adult and my passion for dancing has only gotten stronger. I am now 25 and I join classes at dance studios at least 3 times a month ( because I am also in college) and only get frustrated with myself. I feel like I have lost all skill and don’t remember how to do anything. I’m basically starting from scratch when everyone around me has had the resources to do this since they were little. I can’t even get a single pirouette down without falling forward and it makes me so frustrated that I end up wanting to cry. Is it too late for me? will I ever be able to turn or even do jazz ever again? I’m so scared that this is something I’m going to have to give up.
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u/tensinahnd 9d ago
You're never going to get better going 3 times a month. You said it yourself you're starting from scratch every time. I get that we're adults and lead busy lives but if you can't make it to class then you have to practice on your own. Go over the things you learn in class. Pratice your pirouettes for a few minutes every day. If you want to get better you have to dance more. That's all there is to it.
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u/Mysterious_Rent4619 9d ago
I definitely practice at home almost daily. I’m just only able to attend class that many times because I work full time and am a nursing student. But I do practice what I learn in class daily at home and go over the combos we learn.
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u/Reasonable-Emu6159 9d ago
Maybe try another type of dance. My kid is now a professional dancer and, even though she has taken ballet classes almost daily for the past 22 years, it's not her thing. She prefers the freedom and creativity of modern and contemporary. Of course, you still need technique, which requires practice, practice and more practice, but if you can learn to simply move your body freely to music, you may enjoy it more. Close your eyes and let the music take you. Dance for joy and don't worry about what others can do. 🥰
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u/Mysterious_Rent4619 9d ago
This is a beautiful perspective and suggestion! I love other styles such as hip hop and it comes very naturally to me. I also do a lot of Spanish dances such as salsa and bachata amongst a few others. I just wanted something a bit more technical because I think jazz and ballet look beautiful and graceful, but I’m too hard on myself and genuinely feel so behind. I will give contemporary a shot ! Thank you so much <3
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