Ballet is a form of dance started as court pageants in ancient Italy later developed in the France. Ballet dancers use 5 different positions, turning out there legs and feet from the hip in each. Women ballet dancers dance "en pointe" which literally allows them to dance on there toes. To be a ballet dancer you need to have strong legs and a high arch on your foot as well as a medium sized upper body.

• Different ballet schools and companies have different forms of ballet and methods of teaching. See which ones are right for you.

Before you get started on the road to becoming a Ballet Dancer you will need to go to a Dance Store. Dance stores are located around the country and across the world. You will have to do research for your area in order to find one. When you have found a dance store, males should buy black tights, a tight white shirt, thin socks, and black or white ballet slippers. Females can buy any color tights and leotard, then any color ballet slippers and point shoes (Different ballet classes call for different colored equipment). This project will take most of your life if you are looking to become professional because being a ballet dancer can be a hobby but also a job. This job is extremely complex and difficult for both men and women. If you want it as a hobby it's still difficult, but you can have more freedom. This How to Become a Ballet Dancer page will give you ideas on how to become a ballet dancer both as a hobby and as a job.

All ballet dancers start out taking low key lessons. If you are looking into ballet as a hobby, just find some place with ballet classes 1 or 2 times a week just to get the feel of it. If, however, you want to be a professional, find somewhere in your area that offers classes 3, 4, or even 5 times a week with extra classes.

If you want to be a professional then you should continue doing intensive ballet classes. If you still want it as a hobby then maybe step it up to 3 times a week if you're willing. Then you can check around in your area and see what the dance company is like there, and you can also use http://www.dancemagazine.com/dancefinder Dance Magazine's Dancefinder database. (look in tips) At this point you should have been doing ballet for quite a while (3 or 4 years). If you have a ballet company in your area, see what you can do. Research it and then you can try to get a job, always still taking ballet classes of course.

At this point you will have been doing ballet for 5 to 6 years if not longer. Now you will probably be able to get a job at a local ballet company. For those of you still doing it as a hobby, step it up to 4 times a week if you can, 3 at the least. If you do get a job then you're set, continue to do ballet and then if you get good enough you will be able to perform with your company.