I have not yet started dancing but I want to very badly. First I need to find a dance instructor. I have three questions.
First: Is there a time where it can be too late to start dancing? I am 13 and anybody I have heard of that have started dancing, have danced pretty much all their lives. I only know of very few that have started at my age. I have never had a lesson before but I am a very quick learner. I have always been into dance related sports. I have been a cheerleader, I have taken gymnastics, ballet, and I am currently ona drill team. But is 13 too late to start Ballroom dancing?
Second: Is there a certain weight you need to be to be a dancer? I would not consider myself overweight by any means. But I am no stick. All dancers I see are fairly thin. I weigh 139. Is that too heavy for a Ballroom Dancer?
Third: Is there a specific height for a dancer? I am fairly short. Only 5'3". Is that too short for a Ballroom Dancer?

Please let me know anything on these topics. It would be a lot of help. Thanks!!!!!!
~ Kali

[This message was edited by Administrator on 07-15-02 at 12:54 PM.]

1. 13 years old is not too late to start. My mother started to ballroom dancing when she retired at age of 65. She is 75 now and loving every moment. Happy mother's day (tomorrow)!!!

2. Since you have asked, I think you know the answer.

3. 5'3" with heels on would be close to 5'6". At this height, it is perfect for boys 5'8" to 5'10". Many boys are in this height range.

I started dancing at 16 and now I am a 40 year old Professional Dance teacher with my own studio. Lots of my students started in their late teens. Some of my students are over weight. Some have had trouble finding partners that are tall enough, etc etc! All of my dancers enjoy what they do, and are most usually very successful in competitions. Go for it!

1. According to my teacher, between the ages of 12-14 is the best time to begin dancing. The reasons:
a) Little children have certain bodily defficiencies or immaturities which make certain movements impossible or very uncomfortable, such as the latin hip motion, because their hips are underdeveloped and they do the motion like sticks.
b) Little kids tend to only appreciate things like learning how to ride a bicycle or play baseball, not ballroom dancing.
c) Little kids have a really short attention span and it's really annoying to try and teach them.

2. No, you don't have to be a certain weight. Besides if you go into dancing you'll probably shed twenty pounds anyways.

3. And no, you don't really have to be a certain height, especially if you are a girl. Most guys are not 6'1" (like me... heh..), so it's not like you'll be grossly mismatched with a partner.

da.