yes, my daughter and I have taken from the same teacher, she has perfect turn out, flexibility, etc, etc but the teacher just says if she only had your work ethic.... that comes with maturity and so does "age" I am 47 and have been dancing consistently for just two years(but on and off most of my life). i really love it, but all these questions of age do go around in my mind. If I could even perform in anything and not look silly on stage, like someones mother, than that would be something wonderful. Maybe I should make that a goal, but now I am enjoying just my classes....I may be too old for this, but so what! I can and do improve the more I go to class -- I love the hard work that it takes and if my body can hold out I'll keep it up just for my own sanity.But I would not hold any hopes for any real ballet company, as if I had the time or energy to devote myself that much!!!! thats another thing about age, with it comes responsibilities and other things in life to do.I would not have given up the experience of having a family for anything, even dance. But thats me, and I think it is more dedication and talent and being in shape than age anyway.

Yes, Liscarkat didn't have great pirouettes, but he must have had something else they liked.

A dancer is never too old to dance. I know that I will dance til the day I die. Even if my body gives up, I'll always be dancing in my head and in my heart.

When we can't compete anymore. Ha ha ha. I am too old for competitive gymnastics at 22 years old. The environment in Singapore is just not conducive enough for this kind of pursuit. But i still do acrobatics as a hobby.

<small>[ 19 February 2003, 09:57 AM: Message edited by: hermanchauw ]</small>

No one - and I mean NO ONE - is ever too old to dance. Doesn't matter what type of dance it is, either.

In fact, I kinda recall seeing some documentary about a dancer and painter who is in her 70s and still dances on pointe.

<small>[ 13 August 2003, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: Azlan ]</small>

Hello, PeterTomarkensGal, and welcome!

I think the question can be broken out into two parts:

- When is a dancer to old to dance for him/herself?

- When is a dancer to old to dance professionally?

There will always come a time when even the best professional will have to retire, in any field or endeavour.

[Also, I have taken the liberty of deleting your photos in this and the other topics as they may slow down the forum and since they have no relevance to the topic.]

I haven't even read this whole thread yet - but I can jump in and say the question is are you expressing something vital and transcendant through movement? IF yes, then you belong on one stage or another. Kazuo Ohno STARTED his solo career in his 70's. I saw Annabelle Gamson probably in her 50's or 60's perform - after a sprightly performance by a modern dance company doing some kind of Americana piece with lots of tricks in bright unitards - and she came out wearing a sheet, and did step-2-3 turn-2-3 to the Blue Danube - I wept. One of the most beautiful performances I ever saw.

<small>[ 13 August 2003, 09:09 PM: Message edited by: beatbeat ]</small>

Ok, I just read this whole thread...

Whoops! I'm 46, and the memo telling me I should have quit performing a long time ago seems to have gotten lost in the mail! I'll look for it though as I get ready for tomorrow night's performance....

Am I professional? - well, I never made a living from this stuff, except for teaching. However, when my concerts are regularly reviewed in the New York times, and my picture was in Dance Magazine, and I just got a call from them asking for another one...well, it feels like I'm being held to professional standards.

Kate, if you're still reading this thread, I say try and do what you want. Be clear though that people will fight you like crazy, and you'll probably have to reinvent yourself in all kinds of ways to make it happen. So start some new form of dance blending ballet and classical Indian that will blow us all away. Be tough as nails, don't feel sorry for yourself, and find a creative way around your obstacles. My dear friend, Homer Avila, lost his leg two years ago. That certainly would have daunted most of us into quitting. Now he has so much dancing work and touring and what-have-you, I can't even keep track of him.

<small>[ 14 August 2003, 08:03 AM: Message edited by: beatbeat ]</small>

Thanks for the heartfelt comments, beatbeat.

But to avoid another flame-up of the topic, let's be clear that "dance" covers many styles and situations. There are many Classical Asian Dances for example that not only allow but encourage dancers to perform until advanced years. In the other extreme, Classical Ballet has very athletic requirements and like athletes there comes a point where Classical Ballet dancers have to retire or move into a different genre.

The arts, in general, are one ("are one"? "is one"? Can "the arts" be singular?) of the few occupations in which "professional" should not be defined as "makes a living at".

Actors have it somewhat easier than dancers, as they have a much stronger and more highly visible union. Generally, in the theatre biz, "professional", as applied to actors, means, "member of Actors' Equity".

On the other hand, never forget that it was an actor who shot Lincoln.

<small>[ 14 August 2003, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: salzberg ]</small>

I just read this entire post because I just received my e-mail issue of Ballet-Dance Monthly. All I can say is: How much would the public have missed if someone told Fonteyn, Nureyev, Suzanne Farrell, David Wall (ok, he was 38), Allegra Kent, etc., etc. that it was time to retire. Yes, they are obviously the exception, but, why is this question even asked? Yes, I agree the dancer should dance "age appropriate" parts, but that can be true of the 16 year old as well as the 40 year old. And, check out this website: The Seattle Press - Is It Over After Age 40?

Anyone at any age can get injured, doing anything, it's the chance we take, but is it better to just stop moving?

Guess it's because I'm 49 that I say, just keep dancing!

i am a member of the national ballet of canada, and i see martine lamy, one of the principal dancers almost every day. she is 40, and yet in great shape. she looks stunning in everything. while she might not be able to lift her legs as high, she covers it up with an incredible generosity of movement, and sense of music. she gives you shivers each time she moves. i believe there is no such thing as a "too old dancer" but only roles that aren t suitable for a certain age. a dancer is always welcome on stage no matter how old he or she is, as long as the effort remains invisible. once we can sense the pain and the struggle, the magic is spoiled, it is time for that dancer to retire from the role.

If I'm correct Martha Graham danced until she was 60 and I know she did modern but I still think as long as its safe for you to dance and you still have the same high level of technique you should be able to dance

A dancer is too old when his or her physical being can no longer express the eloquence of an internal spirit.