While there’s no “one way” to become a professional ballerina, many performers who dance for a living follow a typical trajectory. Keep reading to learn the steps (you are a dancer, after all) to help take you from baby ballerina to full on prima.
1. Start young—if you can!
If possible, dancers with professional aspirations should begin ballet classes at an early age—usually between three and eight years old. It is also important that they (or rather, their parents) choose a reputable dance school with experienced instructors. Starting serious ballet training later in life can be a limitation, as the body undergoes developmental changes that impact flexibility and strength.
But don’t despair if you didn’t start dancing when you were still in diapers. American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland began ballet “late” at age 13; former Royal Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet principal dancer Johan Kobborg at 16; and Stefanie Roper of Ballet Hispanico’s second company at age 20, when she took ballet as a college elective. While starting early can benefit one’s training, these tremendous dancers are testament to the fact that it’s not the be-all and end-all when it comes to going pro.
2. Develop a strong foundation.
Dancers must master fundamental ballet techniques, including posture, flexibility, and strength. It’s also beneficial to take classes in complementary dance styles (such as contemporary or jazz) to enhance one’s versatility. Many ballet dancers, including former New York City Ballet principal Robbie Fairchild and Royal Ballet’s Leanne Cope, have performed on Broadway. Ballet specialists Eliana Girard and Chehon Wespi-Tschopp couldn’t have tied as “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 9 champions without their versatile training.
3. Commit to intensive training.
By ages 11 to 13, dancers are encouraged to transition to pre-professional or conservatory programs. At this stage, it becomes crucial that they train multiple times per week, focusing on pointe work (for girls) and advanced techniques, such as partnering. Many burgeoning ballet dancers audition to attend summer intensives offered by prestigious ballet schools to gain exposure and more serious training.
4. Pursue an academic and dance balance.
For some aspiring ballet dancers, it can be helpful to enroll in a school or program that supports your ballet training schedule. This could mean a professional children’s school, homeschool, or even a fully online program. With a more flexible structure, a dancer can maintain good academic standing while prioritizing dance.
10 College Dance Programs You Should Know5. Join a pre-professional program.
By one’s teenage years, a dancer may join a program affiliated with a professional ballet company. They can also gain experience through performances and competitions like Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). What’s most important is that you think very carefully about both your goals and logistics like budget and location.
“A pre-professional program is like going to graduate school,” said Runqiao Du, ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer, in an interview with Pointe Magazine. “Nobody would go to graduate school without researching if the program is a good fit for them personally. It’s up to dancers to know what they’re looking for.”
6. Network and audition.
Throughout training, dancers should build connections within the community by attending workshops and events. They must create a professional dance portfolio with photos, a résumé, and audition videos before auditioning for professional companies, starting with apprenticeships or “corps de ballet” positions. Backstage is a good place to start searching for auditions:
- Dance auditions
- Dance auditions in New York
- Dance auditions in Los Angeles
- Dance auditions in Chicago
- Dance auditions in Philadelphia
7. Maintain your physical and mental health.
This is an element that is often overlooked. It is critical for dancers of all ages to cross-train (e.g., Pilates, yoga, and strength-training) to prevent injuries and to eat a balanced diet to support their body’s needs. More recently, there has been increased conversation about dancers practicing mindfulness or seeking support to handle the mental challenges of a demanding career. The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, for example, launched a mental health program in 2024 for its dancers.
8. Gain experience in performance.
If you want to really solidify yourself as a hireable dancer, you need to get onstage. Dancers should accept opportunities that include stage experience, even in smaller companies, and use these roles to build their skills, confidence, and visibility.
9. Commit to lifelong learning.
Being a professional ballet dancer requires staying open to evolving as a performing artist. Dancers should continue refining their craft through consistent classes, workshops, master classes, and feedback.
How to Become a Better Dancer10. Secure a position in a ballet company.
After years of training and auditions, aspiring dancers should aim for a position in a reputable ballet company. Typically, company dancers will work their way up from apprenticeship to “corps de ballet” to soloist or principal dancer.
11. Sustain your career.
Getting the job is great. But maintaining a career is even more important. Professional dancers must adapt to the physical demands of the profession with ongoing care and dedication. It can be a good idea to explore opportunities for teaching, choreography, or other roles within the dance world for post-retirement.
It’s also important to understand the reality of the industry—it’s incredibly hard to go pro. This is due to a number of factors, including personal desire or determination, injuries, talent level, genetics (such as physical proportions, flexibility, turnout, etc.), and mental resilience. While talent and grit are necessary, much of going pro depends on luck and circumstances—such as when your parents first put you into class, or your general access to and privilege of training. Additionally, though seemingly glamorous, the career of a professional ballerina is often a short one, peaking around age 35 (though we are seeing more and more professionals dance well beyond this age—see points 7, 9, and 11!).
Even though going pro might be the goal, it is heartening to know that strong ballet training will serve you in all your dancing—and life in general. Ballet equips you with strength, flexibility, musicality, and poise that will translate into most other genres. More generally, ballet teaches you etiquette, confidence, history, and an appreciation for the greater performing arts. Let this be your sign to get back to the barre!