Ballet for children and teenagers
It can take a long time to reach a professional level in ballet, so most dancers begin their training very young. It is essential that very young dancers learn the ballet movements properly right from the beginning. 【1】 This is because it is usually more difficult to change old habits than to learn new ones.
The first thing that young children who are interested in learning to dance often do is attend creative movement classes, where they can practice basic skills like jumping and turning, and just have fun. 【2】 In addition, some people recommend that they should learn either to sing or play instrument.
Young people who decide they want to have a ballet career can attend a dance school. Here, students not only study normal school subjects but also do daily dance training. 【3】 And the whole dance-school environment is set up to support the young people’s artistic development; it allows them to focus on their dance more easily, and prepares them for their future. But how can a young dancer and their parents tell which dance school is the most suitable? 【4】 The older students taking part in it should clearly have more highly-developed ballet skills than the younger dancers.
By the time they are 16 or 17, many ballet dancers are entering ballet competitions and taking classes at professional studies. 【5】 It is important for young dancers to know how well they are doing, because the dance world is very competitive and the training is hard; not everyone makes it to the top.
A.For all these reasons, they enjoy meeting other dancers.
B.Listening to different styles of music also helps.
C.Travelling long distances to dance schools can be tiring, too.
D.Attending one of their public performances is a good way of finding out.
E.If they develop poor techniques, they may have problems later on.
F.This allows them to compare themselves with teenagers from other schools.
G.That means they do not waste time travelling from home to dance classes.