Dear Colin,
What is the ideal height for a ballerina?
Tess, 13
Dear Tess,
The Australian Ballet has no ideal/preferred height for our female dancers, though there is a limit to how tall they can be. This limit has changed over the years depending on the height of our male dancers. For instance, in 1962 we had no female dancer over the height of 5’6” (167cm) whereas because we now have male dancers as tall as 6’4″ (193 cm) our tallest ballerina is 5’8½” (175cm). What this really means is that dance companies now consider all dancers as potential members no matter their height. Though if you are exceptionally tall or exceptionally short you will have to be exceptionally talented.
Best wishes,
Colin Peasley
Hi Colin,
In reference to tallest female dancer in the company, in an interview with Dance Australia (June/July 08) Olivia Bell states that she is just under 5’10″ (177cm). I dont mean to be argumentative, I am just keen to encourage our tall girls, as they do get quite a hard time about being to tall to dance.
Cheers
Catherine
Thanks for that clarification Catherine. I was a little disheartened to find out the AB’s tallest female dancer was only 175cm. As a female dancer that is about 180cm it is good to know the taller dancers can make it in the professional world.
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I am about 170cm and only 13. Is there any chance of me becoming a ballerina?
Hi Ar,
The Australian Ballet doesn’t impose height restrictions for students and, as Colin mentioned, neither does The Australian Ballet – it’s all about talent, not height! Best of luck with your ballet studies.
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Hi,
Thanks for your replies and comments. I am 10 years old and fairly tall for my age, I’m already 1.54m. I’ve mentioned to some people that I’m working towards trying to get into the Australian Ballet School but their first comment is “You are going to be tall!’ which is not very encouraging. So once again thank you, it’s good to know that hard work and talent are still the most important things.
Hi Bella,
At your age I was about your height, but I’m beginning to slow down now at about 165cm, and I’m 14 years old. I’m no longer worried about my height because that doesn’t matter, it only matters if you have the passion and enthusiasm to becoming a dancer.
hi
I’m 172 cm tall and my family doctor thinks that i may grow another 5 cm will I be able to make the cut because my family thinks that modelling is more unsuccessful.