Answers 4 dancers.

TONY AWARD-WINNING CHOREOGRAPHER GROVER DALE IS EDITOR OF DANCE & FITNESS MAGAZINE. FOR THIS COLUMN, HE DRAWS ON HIS EXPERIENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS WITH 16 BROADWAY SHOWS, 8 FEATURE FILMS, AND OVER 100 TELEVISION SPECIALS.

IF I DIDN'T DOUBT MYSELF SO MUCH, I COULD BE A BALLET DANCER!

When I was 12, I fell passionately in love with ballet. I began taking a beginner class, but the teacher, who was probably wrong, told me I was too old to seriously pursue ballet. Everyone else I knew seemed to agree with that. So I decided to switch to modern before I got too old to be serious about that, too.

Now I'm 15. For the past three years I've been studying a type of modern that is very related to ballet, and I have been doing well. But for some reason a desire to dance on my toes will not leave me, and I cannot stop thinking about how deeply I want to be a real ballet dancer. I have recently started taking classes at a good studio, and my teacher told me she doesn't think it's too late for me to be a ballet dancer. I was ecstatic when I heard this. It seemed as if a whole new world had opened for me. But I can't help wondering--after all the years I've wasted doubting myself, is there really any hope left for me of becoming a professional ballet dancer, or would you consider it wisest for me to study modern instead, although that isn't really what I want?

Isabella

You're very lucky and you're very smart. You found a teacher who's encouraging you to become the ballet dancer you've always wanted to be. That's great! You've also come to recognize that doubting yourself may not be the best use of your energy. Both are healthy revelations. Congratulations!

Now that this whole new world has been opened up for you, you seem to need a little extra encouragement to get yourself on track. Your teacher is the advisor to turn to. Talk to her. She's the one who's witnessing your progress in class and can give you feedback about where your next improvements can be made.

I can, however, offer this: The arrival at professional levels in any form of dance is not determined only by age or the number of years devoted to it. It's also determined by how dedicated and committed you are to the process of getting there. If you have the appropriate body type and are willing to roll up your sleeves and take on the work, the training, the grooming, and the research, your arrival at whatever level you desire is truly in your own hands.

Try replacing that tendency to doubt with a tendency to trust yourself. Since you've admitted you wasted time by doubting, you have a head start. Looks like you're going for the whole enchilada, right?

I'M NOT PREPARED FOR CHET WALKER!

I'm a 23-year-old dancer who just graduated from CSUF [California State University-Fullerton] with a major in dance. A couple of months prior to graduation I was selected to attend the summer jazz workshop at Jacob's Pillow, with Chet Walker. I'm very nervous, and I want to be prepared for the three-week intensive with such a world-renowned professional as Mr. Walker. Since I'm sure you know and have worked with Mr. Walker, I was wondering, do you have any words of advice? What would be some of the best ways to prepare for his classes? How is an L.A. jazz class different from a jazz class with Chet Walker?

Karen S. Glendora, California 

Chet Walker's reputation for patience with young dancers precedes him. It's no accident that so many schools seek him out for master classes for their top students. You are a lucky person, indeed. But while Walker directs the program, you have the advantage of working with another jazz master; Matt Mattox will teach a two-week segment of the workshop. You're going to encounter multiple styles, so the best preparation you can give yourself is simple: Enjoy the experience!

Advice for you? There's a reason why you were chosen to attend the workshop: Someone believed in your abilities. Let some of their beliefs rub off on you. Somewhere at the root of being nervous is wanting something very badly. The wanting is good. It satisfies something in our souls. When the assignment finally arrives, we realize we'll be putting ourselves in a new situation. It might mean taking risks. It might mean being judged by others. "Yikes. What am I going to do? Will I look good enough? Will I dance well enough?" In the time it takes to blink an eye, we start to get nervous. Our confidence begins to weaken.

Karen, are you willing to draw on the confidence that others have in you? Are you willing to stop listening to the voice that tells you Chet and Matt won't be impressed with you? All possibilities exist, Karen--the door is open. Just walk through it.

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