Janie Hampton returned to ballet at 46 and her Guardian feature deserves a link here. "Learning ballet has many benefits - I can throw my foot up on to the bar at my local pub, which earns me the odd pint of approval; I can vault over gates on country walks; on Saturday nights I can amaze my friends with a pretty neat pirouette, not always landing in a heap on the floor; and, after a 20-year gap, I can touch my toes again." The Guardian
That Washington Post piece is probably the best I have ever read on the subject. Beautifully written and beautifully felt.
I found teaching adults to be such an enormously rewarding experience, it always surprises me that so many teachers haven't embraced it. And, it saddens me that therefore there is a paucity of adult classes available. I have also found that many of the teachers who do teach adults often do it as an ancillary activity. They are not only depriving adults of this experience, but also depriving themselves of a great deal of joy and fulfillment.
As (technically at 32) an adult, I have at times struggled to find classes, especially in smaller towns. The phrase "adult classes for beginners" still makes me seethe as it implies we can progress no further. Fortunately in Newcastle upon Tyne there is a thriving adult ballet scene with excellent teachers who give us the benefit of their wonderful experience. For those less fortunate I would suggest "pester power". Phone and ask, you may just be the one that makes the difference (it worked for me in Aylesbury!) My other gripe is exams. Why should we be forced to take exams as if we are going to become teachers? O.K. the Royal Ballet aren't exactly knocking at my door but I do not feel the urge to teach either (I have a full time job anyway). Can't I just take the exam for the challenge, both mental and physical, and for the joy of dancing? Sorry...will stop ranting now Julia
You can take the exams; the girls in my class (aged 15-52) have just done the RAD5 exam and before that, some did the BBO7. Tonight we just started the BBO8 syllabus and boy is it tough! I'm glad I chose not to take exams.
You're right about "pester power"; it has enabled me to carry on with my classes in places where there aren't many adult classes. It's been even harder for me to get into classes. Generally though, after a bit of bullying on my part, the teachers realise that I am there to do my class and not look at the young girls, and they let me stay. Heck, after a few weeks, the young girls realise that I'm only there to dance and they become more relaxed. Luckily here in Brum we too have a thriving lot of adult dancers, so I can get to my three classes per week. (Not that I'm obsessed you understand.)
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