By Olga Leibrandt original in the German language, last updated: March 27, 2023, Ballet Guide 4 min read
From what age is which course suitable?
I keep getting inquiries from mothers who want to enroll their children in ballet classes. For children from the age of two, it is often a big dream to dance in a pink tutu. The mothers tell me that my little one can already do the splits, dear Lilifee, or dance "ballet" all day and are now more than ready for the first trial lesson. But the reality often looks different.
When the children come to the trial lesson, they stick to their mother (who is not allowed to take part in regular lessons), they don't take part in the joint exercises, are overwhelmed, or drop out of the exercises during the ballet lesson.
Every child develops at their own pace. Therefore, there is no exact age limit for entering the respective course level. I've had children who were able to take part in the pre-ballet course program by the age of 3 and those who (unfortunately) wasn't by the age of five.
When registering for a trial lesson, there are two things to keep in mind:
The child should be able to go for 45 minutes without a mother in class. The child's concentration span should last for the duration of the class (usually 45 minutes).
The course should be tailored to the age of the child. The smaller the child, the more fun, and therefore less teaching content is in the foreground.
What is the best age to start ballet?
You can basically start ballet at any age. There is no wrong starting age upwards (in the hobby area). But here we want to deal with the question of when. In my experience, you should only start before the age of four in exceptional cases. Five years is also a great starting age! It simply requires a certain ability to concentrate and maturity for ballet.
Some ballet schools lure with a lower starting age. But this is not due to an adapted or better ballet concept. It's marketing. The small students and therefore also their mothers/fathers are impatient and a ballet school that accepts very small children has secured students for the future (if the fun in ballet has not been completely lost). But that is exactly the danger here!
Here is a breakdown of course content by age:
2-4 years of Children's dancing or early dance education:
Children can already gain their first experience of dancing. However, this is not yet about ballet or pre-ballet, but about courses with the designation "Children's Dance" or "Early Dance Education". Early dance education is a playful, child-friendly preparation for later ballet lessons. There, movement sequences are playfully consolidated and the joy of dance and movement is awakened through improvisation. Children from the age of two learn playful forms of movement to different rhythms and styles of music. The awareness for dealing with one's own body, movements, and rhythm is trained. For the very young, the course takes place with the involvement of a parent.
4-6 years-Ballet:
Children can usually start ballet from the age of 4. By then you should be able to follow simple instructions and have developed some motor skills to perform basic ballet movements. In pre-ballet, children learn the first basic elements and simple step combinations of classical ballet in a playful, imaginative way. A sense of space, coordination, balance, musicality, a sense of rhythm, attention and concentration are developed as well as discipline and social behavior. The exercises, also in the form of floor training, are taught carefully and lovingly to strengthen and stretch the muscles, improve posture and fine motor skills. The focus is on the joy of dancing!
6-8 years children's ballet:
In ballet lessons for children aged 6-8 years, the classic ballet technique is taught in an age-appropriate way. The first exercises on the barre are done, ballet terms, small choreographies and dances are learned. The exercises improve body awareness, coordination and balance, sense of rhythm and musicality, concentration and endurance. The muscles, also in the form of floor training, are strengthened and stretched. Ballet classes ensure an upright posture. The focus is on the joy of dancing!
From 8 years start of regular ballet lessons:
At the age of 8, children have matured so far in their physical and psychological development that they can learn the techniques of classical ballet with joy and interest. The gradual development of ballet lessons according to the Russian Vaganova method begins and with it the actual basic training. Now not only the fun and the joy of dancing is in the foreground. Basic techniques and discipline are learned. At this age, the first exercises on the barre and ballet concepts, small choreographies and dances are learned. The muscles, also in the form of floor training, are strengthened and stretched.
Professional ballet training begins between the ages of 8 and 10. See my Ballet FAQs for more information . This usually lasts between 4 and 10 years.
From 10 years start at a ballet academy:
Children with a talent for ballet usually start at a ballet academy around the age of 10. A ballet academy is a higher educational institution specializing in the training of professional dancers and choreographers. Training at a ballet academy can last between 8 and 10 years and often covers a wide range of subjects such as classical ballet, contemporary dance, music, drama and costume design. Students typically study full-time and earn a bachelor's degree or master's degree at the end of their studies. Ballet academies can only be found in the larger cities. Since the students have to complete intensive training every day, they usually live in the boarding school. To be accepted students must pass a rigorous entrance exam that selects only the most talented students. Well-known ballet academies in Germany are, for example, theJohn Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich , the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg , the Palucca Hochschule für Tanz in Dresden and the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin .
From 11-12 years start pointe dance:
The exercises on the barre and in the room become even more technical. The choreographies and step sequences become even more complex. They require advanced body tension, concentration and endurance. More and more new elements are learned, including turns, jump diagonals and various combinations of these. The demands on the execution of the choreographies are increasing. The exercises are performed faster, more precisely, more musically and more expressively. The ballet students gain more and more elegance and lightness when dancing. Pointe-dancing is incorporated into ballet lessons from this level onwards. Prerequisite for participation in the pointe danceis appropriate training preparation, advanced coordination skills and appropriate training of the necessary leg muscles.
Original Article first published on Webpage of Ballet Studio Ost