Oh, yes, flamenco is different in that way – so much respect for amateurs and for older dancers, even dancers who started at a much older age. And much less divide between “amateurs” and professionals. Ballet is still rather elite.

If you start ballet as an adult and show any amount of talent, you will undoubtedly hear, too bad you didn’t start at a much younger age, like four. Personally, I find that statement obnoxious. Why is it too bad, why can’t it just be good that I started dancing now!?! And why must it be made SO CLEAR that “adult dancers” aren’t really “dancers” per se but more like hobbyists? That’s the way it is in ballet. So if you are just an “adult dancer” it often seems very silly – like dress up in reverse. There is also a notion that a woman taking a ballet class is some sort of delayed girlish dream, rather than the pursuit of a grown woman who enjoys dancing. There is an amount of condescension, I think, when people talk about women living their little girl dreams of tiaras and tutus. But enough of that rant 😉

I do agree with you 100% that dance if for everyone, professional and non-professional alike! Thanks, Paulina! 🙂