Hi, I'm 16 years old. I went to see a ballet show quite recently and I've suddenly fallen in love with all things ballet. I'm a complete beginner and I'm nervous about joining classes. I've got a few questions and I'd really appreciate some answers!

1. I'm 5 ft 6, is that too tall?

2. I don't want to become a professional dancer but am I too old to start from the very beginning?

3. Can anyone recommend any good ballet classes in London?

4. I'd really like to read some articles on ballet, could you recommend some?

Hello, _luthien, and welcome to CriticalDance! (You wouldn't happen to be a Tolkien fan, would you? ) It's wonderful that you have fallen in love with ballet. This is the first ingredient for exploring dance and all it's facets! 1. You are 5 ft. 6 in.? Perfect...2. No, you are certainly not too old to begin your study if you have no professional ballet company aspirations. But, who knows where your study will take you? There are many avenues that ballet can lead to: Modern, Jazz, Musical Theater, etc. as well as a being a great form of exercise and an education to appreciate what you see when you attend the ballet. 3. Someone else will have to help you here as I live in the U.S. 4. Check out all the forums on CD including the magazine. Lots of great information abounds! The ballet "barre" is what dancers hold onto (lightly!) when they are warming up and working on technique before moving into the "center" during their class. Good luck and don't be afraid to try! You will soon know some basics and won't feel like a "fish out of water". In fact, you might possibly get "hooked"!