Newly revised in 2003, with foreword by ABT Principal Amanda McKerrow and introduction by internationally known Ballet Master David Howard, this very unique book should be read by parents and dancers alike.

Offering parents, students, and teachers solid and tested advice for making important decisions about dance education, it answers many critical questions about the care and development of the young dancer, and gives more than a glimpse into the entire ballet training process from the beginning years through to professional ballet school as a young adult.

This new edition provides a contemporary look at the ballet art form with practical and valuable information that will arm parents with the knowledge to ask the right questions: how do I choose the right teacher? Are recitals an important part of training? Should boys begin at the same age as girls? Can the young dancer participate in sports activities? How does a dancer prepare for an audition? At what age should a child go professional? And the more basic questions: at what age does a student start ballet school? When does she go on pointe? College or a professional career after high school? How can a dancer have both a career and an education?

It provides the answers to these questions as well as enlightening chapters on summer programs, performing, competitions, job opportunities in dance, and ‘having it all’ (combining a career in dance with education).

The 20 chapters discuss a multitude of topics, including:

• the best age to begin, pre-ballet classes, finding the right teacher(s), and ballet outside the studio
• resisting the tendency for performance to become more important than the learning process
• the ballet syllabus, how, why, and when to go on pointe, pointe shoes, the ballet body, and special considerations for boy's training
• auditions for the young dancer - when, why, and how
• lifestyle, performing arts schools, proper weight, improper habits, regional ballets, jazz and modern dancing
• summer programs - when and why, what are the differences, how to choose
• college dance alternatives, having a full-time dance career instead of college, having a full-time career and a college education

Hundreds of ballet school and professional school directors, teachers, and dance advocates were interviewed for this book, sharing their insights and considerable experience in the training process of young dancers.

"Choices and timing are of the utmost importance in a dancer's career. Where to study, whether and when to attend a boarding school, how to find the right teacher, when to go on pointe ... This book finally puts things in order...it explains in clear words the pros and cons of the ballet process." - David Howard

"It takes many ingredients to make a dancer...they are all essential ... If my parents had a resource such as this book, I'm certain it would have been much easier for them." - Amanda McKerrow

Angela Whitehill is the Artistic Director of Burklyn Ballet. She was trained by the National Ballet of Canada and at the Arts Educational Schools in London. She danced professionally with the Ballet Paris, Jack Hylton and Emile Litler Productions in England and Europe. Ms. Whitehill was the founder and director of London School of Ballet USVI, New Jersey's Shore Ballet Company, and has worked as artist-in-residence at Castleton State and Colby-Sawyer Colleges. She has also served as a costume designer to the Atlanta Ballet Co., Scottish American Ballet, International Ballet Competition, New Jersey Ballet, and Burklyn Ballet Designs. She is the founder/artistic director of Dance Council, and is also the author of The Young Professional's Book of Ballet and The Dancer's Book of Ballet.
William Noble is the author of 19 books, and writes extensively on dance. His work has appeared in Dance, Pointe, and Dance Teacher magazines.

184 pages, softbound.
Item# BKOT102 - Price:  $19.95

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