I have done adult ballet for 20 years now. I did belly dance for an extended period following an injury; and would still be taking classes if I could find one relatively local that fits my schedule. A couple of years ago, I took up jazz.
I only dance a few hours a week, so I don’t wear out my ballet slippers very quickly. My daughter said you weren’t a real dancer until you had bled into your shoes. That kind of misery and lost toenails are not for me. I never intend to dance en pointe, so I am perfectly content to call myself a dancer despite only wearing through the toes on my slippers.
I wore ballet shoes while doing belly dance as I wasn’t keen on bare feet at the local community centre. The same ballet shoes served me well for two years of jazz, but I confess to looking enviously at the jazz shoes others were wearing.
Dance classes are finally starting this week, so I indulged myself in a pair of jazz shoes. It doesn’t matter that I have only one one-hour jazz class each week. I now own two pairs of shoes for two different disciplines.
I know I’m a dancer even though I don’t fit the stereotype of skinny teenager with big dreams and a tutu. I usually wear leggings and a T-shirt instead of a leotard and tights. I sewed a character skirt more for my own amusement than for actual classes. But different shoes for different kinds of dance? That makes me feel like a “real” dancer.
You are obviously a real dancer. That’s been clear from previous posts.
I do tap, quite a lot. No blood – assuming you’re not trying to duplicate Nicholas Brothers’ stunts – and my sturdy shoes are probably 20 years old. An occasional jazz class because of ab & stretch elements, using jazz shoes someone gave me.
I am always jealous in jazz of the dancers who are good at the movement. It has nothing to do with size. Many of the best are big, including one of the best teachers I ever saw, many are small. Me? Small & lousy. I can tap well because I understand rhythm and music. I can’t even imagine being able to do ballet! And belly dancing? Wow! Good for you!
Of course you are! What’s funny is that we’ve been through this on the blog with cycling and running. So many “am I a real runner/ cyclist” posts! If you ride a bike, you’re a cyclist. If you dance, you’re a dancer. Full stop.