Can I become a professional ballet dancer if I start at 13?
I am sorry to say so, but probably not. If you are very gifted (have the body) and start at an intense top ballet academy there is a slim chance. To become a professional ballet dancer, you must begin study at a top ballet academy at 7 to no later then 11 years of age (for a girl). There have been the rare exceptions of some as old as 13, but that is very rare. You must give up your childhood in favor of spending days in a classroom dancing. Many are home schooled or go to special schools at their academies. By 14 you would be dancing 20-30 hours a week. At 17 you would apprentice with a company and then after a year join the corps de ballet if asked. You must have a ballet body. Even if others here say no, they will not hire you. Only 2% of the population has this body. Your feet must have high arches with a top bump, you must have 90 degree turnout from each of the hip rotators (not at the knees or ankles) giving you a 180 degree foot stance. Strong stretchy Achilles tendons, Long hy
