Article:
Students often used to ask me "should I pursue dance as a
career?" My first thought was always - "if you can live without
dance, do something else. If you can't, then pursue it".
Sometimes Dance just doesn't let go! It may not be the practical
choice for you. Yet it just doesn't go away.
If you're young, I would say dance now, because it is a physical
training that needs to be done while you're young. Especially
ballet. That doesn't mean flunk high school or anything, but I
know that grades can be re-created at a community college, and
an academic career can ensue from there. However, the physical
ability that a younger person has is not there later.
What is your real goal? It is good to take time and define your
goals.
***To qualify for a 4 year dance department university that
could lead to a professional performance career?
***To "run away and join the dance circus"? Talk to your
teacher, or your parent, tell someone you can confide in, that
you are having a hard time living without dance. Maybe you can
take a class or two a week in your last year of high school and
still get fair grades. Maybe you can schedule it into an
education degree if you are in college.
Defining goals is not easy - adults have trouble with it all the
time. Try to ascertain what your true physical capacity is.
Dance is a muse and does not just go away. I know that sounds a
little spooky, but that is a fact.
Like, if you know anyone who is studying cello or piano, for a
career with a classical orchestra - it's the same thing. There
is no balance, as balance is usually defined in our culture
("some of this and some of that") That sounds scary to some
people. But it just is that way with the arts.
I hope this doesn't sound too abstract - it's just that dance is
one of the soul level "spirits" that calls some of us. It may
take you in any direction - it's hard to ignore. It will make
sense...one day...just explore all your options.
For more inspiration in books, DVDs, and articles, go
About the author:
Dianne M. Buxton is a graduate of the National Ballet School of
Canada. She taught at, and choreographed for The National Ballet
School, York University, and George Brown College, in Canada,
and taught at Harvard University in the U.S.
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