how old were you ...

[emanuela]

... when you started dancing?
I'm 35 and I just started taking ballroom dance classes. I wish I had done that long time ago, since I've always "secretely" loved ballroom dancing.
Also, I know it's WAY TOO EARLY to even think about competitions, but I was wondering if one's age is a limiting factor. I'm really new to this world -- I don't even know if I will ever want to compete, but I know I love ballroom dancing, expecially tango.
Emanuela

[DanceMentor]

You definitely could still compete (even at a high level).
I started when I was 23 and am your age now. I prefer performing to competing, but that's just me. :)

[mamboqueen]

Hi Emanuela,

Welcom to the forum!

Definitely NOT too late. I don't think it's ever too late. I started at 37. I compete, but because of my "real" life, don't get to do it as much as I want to. I've reconciled myself with that and enjoy all the dancing I get to do!

[Kuriin]

I started dancing last year, way late compared to most people who do ballet or jazz. But, I'm loving it, and sticking to it. I don't think it's ever too late.

[Leah]

Welcome to DF Emanuela :)

I started salsa at 23, though I did several years of classical stuff as a little kid (I don't think I remember much though :? ).

I wouldn't worry about the age thing - one of the best things about dance is that it can be a life-long activity. One of my favorite dance partners back in England was a guy who was 75+ - boy did he have ENERGY! Dancing sure kept him young. He was little and gray and would have to sit between songs to catch his breath but he had this amazing lead and attitude and it was the most fun EVER! :banana:

[ReneeJoan]

I started tango at the age of 41, and ballet at the age of 42.

[Kuriin]

I started tango at the age of 41, and ballet at the age of 42.

Wow! That is amazing. :) How old are you now? How's it coming along?

[emanuela]

Thanks to you all for the responses ... I don't know if I will ever want to compete, but I'm hoping that I can bring my dancing to a higher level than just social dancing ... for now it's just a dream, as I'm not sure how to juggle this "new" interest with he rest of my life (plus it's kinda expensive) .... but I'm already loving it, so I hope I'll find a way.
Thank you again,
Emanuela

[Chris Stratton]

... when you started dancing?
I'm 35 and I just started taking ballroom dance classes. I wish I had done that long time ago, since I've always "secretely" loved ballroom dancing.
Also, I know it's WAY TOO EARLY to even think about competitions, but I was wondering if one's age is a limiting factor. I'm really new to this world -- I don't even know if I will ever want to compete, but I know I love ballroom dancing, expecially tango.

There's an extra set of competition levels for over-35. Of course you can and should dance against the younger set as well at least while you are working up through the ability levels, but this gives you more events to enter at small competitions, and a way to do latin while avoiding the teenagers.

[xDevilxInsidex]

haha i started dancing when i was... 14!! haha whaddaya know, i AM 14! haha yeah, i just started getting into it

[DWise1]

I started nearly 5 years ago at 48 with salsa, then moved on through various dances at beginning-level until West Coast and then Lindy. And now I'm picking up salsa again.

The only time that's too late to start learning to dance is tomorrow.

[Sagitta]

Thanks to you all for the responses ... I don't know if I will ever want to compete, but I'm hoping that I can bring my dancing to a higher level than just social dancing ... for now it's just a dream, as I'm not sure how to juggle this "new" interest with he rest of my life (plus it's kinda expensive) .... but I'm already loving it, so I hope I'll find a way.
Thank you again,
Emanuela

Where there is a will there is a way. :wink: :) For instance, find a gentleman friend who knows something and I'm sure you can learn that way. I have taught a lot to many of my lady friends.

And welecome to df.

[Rosa]

The only time that's too late to start learning to dance is tomorrow.

Way to go, DWise1! 8) :D :D

[Laura]

I started at 32. I'm 40 now. I've been competing for nearly seven years now -- I started competing about six months after I started taking private lessons.

As far as competing, you can do it any time you like -- you just have to shop around for the right competition. Some competitions have events for newcomers who have never competed or who have only been dancing for a limited amount of time. Some have events for people over 35. Some have events for the different syllabus levels. The nice thing about competitive ballroom is that if you look around you can find pretty much something for everyone. Also, in some events competitors aren't allowed to wear costumes, so you don't have to shell out an arm and a leg for a ballgown to get started. You don't have to be as good as a pro to compete -- a competent social dancer should feel comfortable jumping in and trying a newcomer or syllabus-level event. Maybe you can get your favorite social dancer to join you and try it out!

[labelledanseuse]

I am 15. I started ballroom dancing about 6 months ago (but I've been doing other types of dances for 9 years). My first competition will be in June.

35 is definitely not too late to start. There are a few women at my studio that are over 80! and they're competing. :)

[DanceMentor]

It's great to see people starting to dance at any age, and this thread illustrates that we can all enjoy dancing. I plan to dance all my life. My goals may change a little, but the enjoyment will always be there.

[Spitfire]

Welcome emanuela, :D

There are a lot of people who who are older then that when they start. I was 26 when I first took it up. :)

[kansas49er]

We started WCS last year. I was 49, my wife 47.

[Spitfire]

We started WCS last year. I was 49,

The same is true for me on both; it was a year ago this month that I started doing WCS. :D

[Twilight_Elena]

I started last year, and am 17 right now. I guess I have lots of time ahead of me for comp! :D Generally, the idea of a competition frightens the hell out of me: gowns, high heels, dozens of people staring...

Twilight Elena

[emanuela]

Unbelievable! .... 35 and older competitors are considered seniors in some competitions ... :evil: .... oh well, I may never compete anyhow (have to learn how to dance first :lol: )...

[luh]

sorry, just saw that i posted this twice. If there is an admin around, feel free to delete this one!
luh

[luh]

i started with 15, taking do-ballroom lessons
than had an exchange semster (half a year), and learned there how to swing and salsa (salsa more less).
And now I'm close to 17.
But i never thought of competing, it looks to me like work. and i like having fun. I don't practice for dancing, I'm just going to dance, and that's neither work nor scheduled practicing. :D
Competing looks like rehearsing and stuff. that's not my thing. I just love to move to the cool sound of swing (and sometimes ska or reggae)
luh

[dancin_feet]

I guess I'm the odd one out here.

I started dancing jazz, etc when I was 9 and ballroom when I was 12. Took a 16 year break due to various reasons and now have been back at it for almost 2 years. I'm now 32.

[randomMysh]

I started when I was 16, started competing a year and a half later.

The only people who are too old to compete are the ones who think they are.

And I don't know why the division between A and B is set at 35. Maybe it was done back in the time when everybody died by the age of 60, so 35 sounded like a good number? Certainly doesn't make any sense to have it that early now! :?

[DancePoet]

Hi Emanuela!

Welcome to DF1

... when you started dancing? I'm 35 and I just started taking ballroom dance classes. I wish I had done that long time ago, since I've always "secretely" loved ballroom dancing. Also, I know it's WAY TOO EARLY to even think about competitions, but I was wondering if one's age is a limiting factor. I'm really new to this world -- I don't even know if I will ever want to compete, but I know I love ballroom dancing, expecially tango.
Emanuela

I started a year and a half ago, and I'm in the over 30 crowd. I entered my first comp about 6 or 7 months into taking lessons. Just take things at your own pace, don't feel rushed, and don't be rushed into a competition. Go to one and see what it's like. Keep taking lessons and having fun with your dancing. There's plenty of time infront of you for competing if you choose to go this route, and there are some nice options for beginners, like entering newcomer events.

Enjoy and hope to see you around DF. There's lot's of good info and folks here that can't help with your questions. :D

[emanuela]

I don't feel rushed into competing .... I just took 3 introductory lessons so far, so I would have a long way to go if that is what I will decide to do. I guess I was just dreaming of becoming VERY GOOD at something in my life to the point where I would feel the desire to compete. Unfortunately the cost of the classes are a drawback for me, expecially now that I'm also going back to school. I think I will keep taking classes until I can afford it, maybe join a ballroom club until I can dedicate more time to ballroom dancing ... then I will really be a senior! :wink:
Emanuela

[DancePoet]

Sounds good! I like the idea of joining a ballroom club at your school!

If cost is an issue, stick with the groups and maybe take a private class once per month, rather then lot's. Studios will certainly try hard to get you to take more, but just let them know it's a cost issue right now, but you'd like to take an occasional private to work out some of the kinks.

Good luck! :D

[emanuela]

Well ... unfortunately my school doesn't have a ballroom dance club, but there are a couple downtown. What really sucks is that there's really not too much here in Arkansas! :cry: I need to move to another state ...
Emanuela

[Rosa]

[quote="emanuela"]... when you started dancing?
/quote]

There are some things in life that should never be disclosed, and a woman's age is one of them! :lol:

[Sabor]

around 5 years old far as i recall.

[Twilight_Elena]

around 5 years old far as i recall.

:shock: :shock: :shock: Ye gods!

Twilight Elena

[Sabor]

:shock: what!? :shock:

[blue]

I was 35, starting with lindy hop and soon adding tango. I have no plans for anything else than social dancing. My reward is in the moment.

[Blondie]

I assume this forum means how old was I when I began ballroom dancing. I began at age 50 and have been at it for 5 1/2 years. I love it and especially like to compete. I'm not too bad! LOL :shock:

I did take dance lessons when I was a child. That was for about 3 years, ages 5-7 or 8. That was basically tap lessons then.

[kansas49er]

We started WCS last year. I was 49,

The same is true for me on both; it was a year ago this month that I started doing WCS. :D


We starting lessons on the first weekend of February, 2004. Group lessons a few days later. In't that a coincidence? WOW!

[boco]

... when you started dancing?
I'm 35 and I just started taking ballroom dance classes. I wish I had done that long time ago, since I've always "secretely" loved ballroom dancing.
Also, I know it's WAY TOO EARLY to even think about competitions, but I was wondering if one's age is a limiting factor. I'm really new to this world -- I don't even know if I will ever want to compete, but I know I love ballroom dancing, expecially tango.
Emanuela


i started hiphop about a month ago.

and no, age is not a limiting factor... if you're good at what you do, then you do it.. no matter how old.

in fact, im more impressed by adults doing salsa and tango and swing and stuff than i am younger people.

and I'm 20.

personally, i can't wait to compete, but there are two reaosns why im not ready (i dont feel)-

1) i don't know the routines
2) i don't have the attitude/confidence you need (this is probbaly because i dont know the routines ;) )

-justin

[HF]

I started dancing ballroom with 32 and began competing about a year later. Began to dance Salsa with 38 (two years ago), mostly doing social dance but somehow happened to compete on our national level last year.

[Sagitta]

I started dancing ballroom with 32 and began competing about a year later. Began to dance Salsa with 38 (two years ago), mostly doing social dance but somehow happened to compete on our national level last year. Nine years dancing!! Lucky you!!

[Swingolder]

In my 50s. Wish I could have started earlier but never actually believed I could do it. But finally, the time was right, my dh was willing and we have been having a great time ever since.

[Twilight_Elena]

:shock: what!? :shock:

You started dancing when you were FIVE??? :shock: That's just a teeny little bit young, isn't it?

Twilight Elena

[labelledanseuse]

:shock: what!? :shock:

You started dancing when you were FIVE??? :shock: That's just a teeny little bit young, isn't it?

Twilight Elena

I don't think it's too young. I started dancing when I was 6. I took up ballroom/latin about half a year ago, though. I started w/ ballet and jazz. When I was 7, I began taking Hip Hop. I know people that have been dancing since the age of 3.

[Nasty_Burger]

I'm 22 and very new to dancing.

[cocodrilo]

I'm 22 and very new to dancing.
You need to spend more time flossing, not dancing! :lol:

[emanuela]

:lol: ROFLOL!

[Nasty_Burger]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[standardgirl]

I started dancing about 9 months ago, and I have competed twice already. I would have competed even more than that if my am partner is more interested, and if pro/am is cheaper. :?
I think you should try to dance and compete. It's definetly not too late. All the ladies, except me, that take lessons from my teacher are over 40, and they are all actively competing. Competitions are so much fun, and I think you are missing out if you choose to not compete at all.

[emanuela]

I started dancing about 9 months ago, and I have competed twice already. I would have competed even more than that if my am partner is more interested, and if pro/am is cheaper. :?
I think you should try to dance and compete. It's definetly not too late. All the ladies, except me, that take lessons from my teacher are over 40, and they are all actively competing. Competitions are so much fun, and I think you are missing out if you choose to not compete at all.

I've been thinking about competing a lot. I really would like to compete if, like you pointed out, it wasn't so expensive (to be honest I rather put that kind of money toward my daughter education for example). I understand that the am/am competitions are cheaper, but I don't have a partner so far. Even if I had a partner, there is always the cost of the air ticket, so I would have to select those events where I could drive instead of flying.
Anyhow, I'm curious of how early, from the time you started taking classes, you entered in a competition (I'll start another thread).
Emanuela

[Sagitta]

I started dancing about 9 months ago, and I have competed twice already. I would have competed even more than that if my am partner is more interested, and if pro/am is cheaper. :?
I think you should try to dance and compete. It's definetly not too late. All the ladies, except me, that take lessons from my teacher are over 40, and they are all actively competing. Competitions are so much fun, and I think you are missing out if you choose to not compete at all.

I've been thinking about competing a lot. I really would like to compete if, like you pointed out, it wasn't so expensive (to be honest I rather put that kind of money toward my daughter education for example). I understand that the am/am competitions are cheaper, but I don't have a partner so far. Even if I had a partner, there is always the cost of the air ticket, so I would have to select those events where I could drive instead of flying.
Anyhow, I'm curious of how early, from the time you started taking classes, you entered in a competition (I'll start another thread).

Emanuela :P :)

Great that competitions are fun for you. I'm happy to miss out on that fun as I get plenty other ways.

[emanuela]

I started dancing about 9 months ago, and I have competed twice already. I would have competed even more than that if my am partner is more interested, and if pro/am is cheaper. :?
I think you should try to dance and compete. It's definetly not too late. All the ladies, except me, that take lessons from my teacher are over 40, and they are all actively competing. Competitions are so much fun, and I think you are missing out if you choose to not compete at all.

I've been thinking about competing a lot. I really would like to compete if, like you pointed out, it wasn't so expensive (to be honest I rather put that kind of money toward my daughter education for example). I understand that the am/am competitions are cheaper, but I don't have a partner so far. Even if I had a partner, there is always the cost of the air ticket, so I would have to select those events where I could drive instead of flying.
Anyhow, I'm curious of how early, from the time you started taking classes, you entered in a competition (I'll start another thread).

Great that competitions are fun for you. I'm happy to miss out on that fun as I get plenty other ways.
Emanuela :P :)

:? :?: Are you having problems with the quotes? Or are you pulling somebody's leg?
Emanuela

[Sagitta]

Sorry! :oops: Mistake. I corrected my post.

[Ms_Sunlight]

You started dancing when you were FIVE??? :shock: That's just a teeny little bit young, isn't it?


Not really. I can't remember when I didn't dance. Certainly I can remember dancing with my dad to Abba records when I was very small, and having a "disco" at pre-school where we danced to things like Boney M. One friend loves dancing with her four-year-old grandson. Everyone I know learnt the classics like the Hokey Cokey and Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes very early on! :P

If you mean "how old when you started taking dance classes" then 5 is not unusual. Lots of little kids, usually girls, do ballet or tap lessons. There are lessons especially for little kids.

--another Elena (delurking, hello all!)

[emanuela]

In reality, I meant ballroom dance lessons.
As far as being really young, lots of kids take dance classes. As a matter of fact, my daughter started tap and baton at 3 yr old. I too took ballet when I was younger, but I have never thought about seriously taking ballroom lessons until now (35).

[quartertothree]

I did ballet and gymnastics when i was 5, then i quite for a while, and picked up swing dancing when i was 15! -Maryam

[HF]

Everyone I know learnt the classics like the Hokey Cokey and Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes very early on! :P


@Ms_Sunlight
What ist Hokey Cokey, please?

[cocodrilo]

Everyone I know learnt the classics like the Hokey Cokey and Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes very early on! :P


@Ms_Sunlight
What ist Hokey Cokey, please?
I think she meant "Hokey Pokey"...

[Ms_Sunlight]

I think she meant "Hokey Pokey"...

No, I mean the "Hokey Cokey" because that's what we call it in the UK :)

I grew up in Scotland and everyone in my school learned Scottish Country Dancing from about the age of 8, with a ceilidh dance before Christmas every year. That's basically a flavour of partnered sequence dancing so I suppose you can say every single one of my classmates started learning ballroom dancing by at least that age.

[amrimi]

I was 13 when I started ballroom. I had wanted t do it for some time but where we lived then they didn't offered any classes for kids. When we moved to onother city I had finally the opportunity to take up ballroom dancing. But by this time I had the problem of finding a dance partner because I was already 5'10'' by that time and also guys of that age aren't very keen on dancing around here. Then I went abroad for a year when I was 17 and somehow didn't take up dancing again afterwards.

Three years ago, when I was 23 I started with salsa and do some social ballroom now once in a while after not having danced at all for about 8 years.

[TemptressToo]

I was 25 about to be 26. And I have been doing it ever since. I've gotten bored with my same-old area and people, explored neighboring cities where I fell in love with the advanced sophisiticated style they had and adopted much of it. My spins are tighter and more centered, I am more balanced and I am more playful on those dances where it is permitted. I guess you can say I got beyond the drama and matured as a dancer. Recently, I have returned to some of my local venues to be told how much I have developed.

I am really happy I did not quit entirely which I was considering for a while there.

April

[Medira]

I started ballet when I was 2, tap at 3, jazz at 5, musical theatre at 7, lyrical at 10. I danced them all until I was 19, then quit because of a lack of time. Now, I'm 23 (almost 24) and I just started ballroom 3 weeks ago. I'm participating in my first showcase in a week and a half. *eek!*

[Phil Owl]

... when you started dancing?
I'm 35 and I just started taking ballroom dance classes. I wish I had done that long time ago, since I've always "secretely" loved ballroom dancing.
Also, I know it's WAY TOO EARLY to even think about competitions, but I was wondering if one's age is a limiting factor. I'm really new to this world -- I don't even know if I will ever want to compete, but I know I love ballroom dancing, expecially tango.
Emanuela

I started at age 24 back in the 80's, after repeated exposure to the original "Dance Fever" tv show and just seeing people do partner dancing and looking like they were having the greatest time. Plus, others told me that women really like men who can dance or at least have the courage to try.

[flashdance]

first post for me :oops:

I 've always liked dancing since I was in my late teens.... now 27 :oops:

Started Tap lessons - which I've been doing for the past 4 weeks.

:)

[johns]

I first truly started studing ballroom dance a little over a year ago, at age 34, and have been quite hooked since. It took a few months before I openly discussed it much at work, but now my manager is growing accustomed to seeing vacation requests to travel to dance competitions and the like.

I've been involved in other musical pursuits for much of my life. I sang in choirs starting in 3rd grade, and began a 6-year stint of studying classical piano in the 5th grade. I continued to sing in choirs with little interruption throughout my academic career, which stretched into a Ph.D. program. While an undergraduate, I took voice lessons and performed at local fairs and pageants for several years with other singing groups. All of this has really helped my timing (except for when I hear multiple rhythms in Salsa), and performing in front of people is something to look forward to instead of fearing.

I suppose, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention a little more dance background. In 7th grade, there was a Cotillion (sp?) that many of the students in my class attended. The main idea was to teach some social graces, but I think there may have been a little rudimentary ballroom dancing involved (although I can't recall any of it from that time).

While an undergraduate, I took one semester of ballroom dance as a P.E. class.

I was also exposed to more partner dancing when a singing partner asked if I'd be interested in learning some 50's dancing and go on a local TV show. I'd call what we danced East Coast Swing, but that would be a grave disservice to East Coast Swing :D. After showing one of my current ballroom instructors a little bit of a tape from one of the shows, she laughed and said she knew exactly what I meant. She referred to the style as "Ghetto Swing - the kind of Swing you do when you're in High School and try to mimic the things you see your parents dancing." We've incorporated a little of it into a Merengue routine just for fun :)

- John

[ratherbdancing]

I started when i was 11 which was a couple years back. :wink:

It's good to be able to write on here again- my computer has not been cooperating. :x