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Dear John

Is it too late for me to have a dance career?

First published 28th September 2006

Question:
I've always dreamed of a dance career but I'm afraid I have left it too late to start, especially because I can only study part-time. Is it a hopeless dream?

Answer:
If you are over 25 and still dreaming of playing the lead in Billy Elliot, it probably is too late. But if you are open to taking a broader view of your options, there is lots of hope for you. As one of the most physical of performing arts, it is certainly true that in dance, flexibility and speed will be at their peak towards the lower end of the age range and if you've been developing your skills from an early age. It is in areas such as stamina and perseverance that the more mature person has the edge. There are always going to be people who have studied dance full-time and for whom natural talent and physical fitness have kept them comfortably at the top of their classes but when they get out in the world they wish they had spent more time stretching themselves. There are others who, because they have come to dance late, have thrown themselves into part-time training, making major time and financial sacrifices and have found that it's precisely the same determination and focus that keeps a dance career on track. Talent and determination mark out the careers of the two professional dancers I have asked to respond to your query.

What the experts say:

Honey Kalaria

Honey Kalaria, often referred to as the 'UK's Bollywood ambassador' runs Honey's Dance Academy and Agency, which now has 15 centres across London. Trained in Bollywood, bhangra, Indian classical dance, rock'n'roll, Latin American, belly dance and street dance, Honey was one of the judges for Channel 4's Bollywood Star. She has been the Bollywood guru for ITV's hit show For One Night Only and recently completed filming for BBC2's Home, MTV's Bust a Move and Bump and Grind.

"Yes, I think it is still possible for you to achieve your goal but you will need to be extremely dedicated and develop your personal management skills to use whatever time and limited funds you do have efficiently. I personally pursued my professional dance career whilst studying full-time and graduating in accounts and finance. I also obtained a Masters degree in public relations. It was hard work but I focused on my vision to become an expert in modern Indian dance and used creative ways of moving forward. I never gave up and always tried to find positive solutions when problems arose. Most importantly, I always practiced regularly and took every opportunity I could to grow and build my experience in the field of dance.

"My top tips for older dance students, those who are studying part-time and, come to think of it, anyone wanting to make it as a dancer in whatever branch of the business they are working in, would be firstly, to keep positive, enthusiastic and focused. This is easy to do when you are dreaming of your career, it takes a little more effort when you are putting your dreams into action. Secondly, as a performer is it also important to develop your marketing skills. Nobody else is going to market you as well as you can. Lastly, aim high and don't let others limit your vision in life."

Jenny Belingy

Jenny Belingy, with whom I co-authored A Dancer's Guide to Getting Work, is a dancer and choreographer who, despite entering formal training late, became one of the most sought after dancers in the hip hop, R'n'B and gospel fields.

"I was always dancing as a child but for various reasons, didn't pursue my ambition seriously till a lot later. In fact, when I was starting on my dance course a lot of the other students assumed I was a tutor. In class, the challenge I found was not so much keeping up with the latest trends and dance moves - that is just down to research - but keeping pace with the younger dancers. That was the challenge I set myself - not just to work as hard as they did but to work harder. It was tough but it paid off.

"When it comes to being a working dancer, the two most important parts of the body are not your legs - they are your eyes and ears. In order to pick up a routine or learn steps you have got to pay close attention to what the choreographer is saying or showing you. As the old saying goes: 'First get it right, then do it fast.'

"I have found that younger dancers often have more difficulty taking on board what is required of them, which means that though they may be able to do the steps quicker, doing them in the right order takes longer.

"More mature dancers tend to be quicker to pick up what overall effect the choreographer is trying to achieve and identifying their own part in achieving that effect. In terms of getting regular dance work, this ability to do what you are asked when you are asked will get you further than the occasional flash of brilliance in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Having said all of the above, it won't surprise you to know that there is as much age prejudice in the world of dance as there is in any other area of work, so while you should always tell the truth when asked, it makes sense not to make a feature of your age when you don't have to. I prefer to let my dancing do the talking for me and in that context show that 'age ain't nothing but a number'."

* Honey Kalaria will be giving a masterclass in Bollywood Dance on October 20 as part of Trouble TV's Bump and Grind series. Details of Honey's own work are available from www.honeykalaria.com while class details are at www.honeysdanceacademy.com.

* Jenny is currently recovering from a dance injury and is dividing her time between developing a dance ministry for her church Micah Ministries, New Cross, London and giving one to one advice to dancers who may be going through similar challenges. She can be contacted on jjbelingy@yahoo.com

* A Dancer's Guide to Getting Work by Jenny Belingy and John Byrne is a 128-page book published by A&C Black. From finding the right training to getting an agent, from performing in music videos to working on the West End stage, this down to earth book of tips will inspire and encourage beginners and help those already in the dance profession to take their careers to the next level. With sections on choosing a career path, self-promotion and managing the business side of a career, the book contains everything the young dancer needs to achieve his or her goals.

* Feedback/queries are welcome to dearjohn@thestage.co.uk

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