Lifelong Learning through Dance

Written by Karen Smith

Oh, my goodness, I always wanted to try ballet! I only wish I had done it when I was younger.

I glanced up at the barista who was looking at my Montana Ballet Company vest as she handed me my latté. I smiled, took my drink and prepared to launch into my usual: “It’s never too late!” The number of “would have, should have, could have” comments I get when I’m about town wearing MBC apparel never ceases to amaze me:

“I always wanted to start but never did.”

“I took ballet when I was young but then I quit.”

“I wish my daughter could take dance but she has Down syndrome.”

“My son really wants to try ballet but boys don’t dance.”

“I’m way too uncoordinated to take ballet.”

“I’m too old and not flexible enough to take class.”

Too often I think people have a perception that dance (and ballet in particular) is only for the select few, or that there is a limited window of opportunity, one which – if missed – means ballet is out of reach forever. And yes, if you’re hoping to perform Swan Lake at Lincoln Center this may in fact be the case. But what most people don’t realize is that ballet is in fact accessible to everyone, at any time of their lives.

Why ballet for life-long learning?

There is a reason that professional ballet dancers, even those who have reached the very pinnacle of their chosen career, take ballet class pretty much each and every day. The benefits and lessons that ballet teaches reach far beyond the mirrored walls of the dance studio.

The physical benefits are obvious: strength, flexibility and coordination come to mind. Personally, I know first hand that the body awareness instilled in me from years of ballet has definitely saved me from major injury in many a “yard sale” on the ski hill.

The mental benefits are just as numerous: focus, discipline and the forging of new neuro pathways (neuroplasticity, to get all fancy). The introduction to and mastery of new skills increases learning, memory and comprehension, skills which carry over into all aspects of life.

Lastly, it’s just plain fun and a tremendous confidence-building outlet for self-expression and creativity. Community, teamwork and social skills are all essential parts of ballet classes.

In the greatest of equalizers, these benefits of ballet classes – physical, mental and joyful –are the same whether you are a professional dancer, a 2-year-old just beginning a love affair with dance, a dedicated student hoping for that illustrious dance career, a 6-year-old hoping to perform in The Nutcracker, a 12-year-old in an Adaptive Dance class or an adult ballet weekend warrior. The community, exhilaration, dedication, attention to detail, the thrill of mastering a new skill and the determination to conquer an elusive movement are the same no matter your age, skill or level. So, no, it’s never too late and it’s never too anything; you don’t have to be a swan to fall in love with ballet!

Karen Smith is an instructor with Montana Ballet Company. She has experience teaching students of all ages and abilities, including with MBC, the Ballet Academy of Texas in Coppell, TX, and as a Dancing Classrooms Teaching Artist in Residence in Dallas/Fort Worth Elementary Schools. She was formally trained in Adaptive Dance at the Boston Ballet and is head instructor for MBC’s Adaptive Dance Program. Karen is a licensed Progressing Ballet Technique teacher with a B.A. in English from Montana State University. After exploring, living, working and dancing around the world, Karen is happily back in Bozeman with her husband of 31 years, two kids, two cats, a hedgehog, and a pug named Percy. MBC offers a full range of classes and summer programs for ages 2 through adult at all levels.