I have taken ballet classes for eight years now (and pointe for three). I am thinking about switching over to ballroom dance (I have not taken a single class-ever) but I am wondering if there is any advice for a ballet dancer who is switching over.

Good luck! Why are you thinking of switching over?

I danced ballet my entire life, then stopped dancing to do the whole corporate career life. I have recently started ballroom and use my ballet training every day. The hardest part of the switch is learning to follow (rather than working with choreography) and that is much more challenging than a pas de deux.

Can you do both? I am starting to incorporate some ballet classes back into my schedule for the intense strength training that you don't get from the typical beginner ballroom classes.

You have years of training - if you can, maintain your flexibility, strength, balance, and those foot calluses that keep you en pointe. My one regret is taking any time from dance - the concept of putting pointe shoes back on is not in my near future!

Have fun!!!

I am just starting to lose interest in ballet. One of my close friends have just switched over to ballroom because she claims that the teachers don't like her. But anyways, I want to try something new. I am still going to take some ballet classes, but not as intense as they were before (8 hours a week). Also, it was starting to get difficult to finish schoolwork (I am in honor classes) so I have to take it easy. Thanks for the input!