My Name Is Kate Carey from Pilates Unlimited, and as someone who has walked the path from young dancer to professional performer, I feel compelled to speak out about a growing concern I see far too often,burnout in young dancers.
I began dancing at the age of 12. In the dance world, that’s considered a late start, and from the very beginning, I felt like I was constantly trying to catch up. I threw myself into every genre,ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical,determined to close the gap between myself and the dancers who had been training since they were toddlers. I loved the artistry, the challenge, and the discipline, but there was always an underlying pressure I placed on myself to be “good enough” as quickly as possible. That feeling of urgency never quite left me and, in many ways, shaped the early part of my journey.
At 15, I successfully auditioned for the Queensland Dance School of Excellence. It was a huge opportunity, and on paper, it looked like everything I had ever dreamed of. But what I didn’t anticipate was the immense pressure that came with being in a full-time, pre-professional dance environment at such a young age.
Almost overnight, the joy of dancing turned into a high-stakes pursuit of perfection. I was surrounded by talent and ambition, and while the training was exceptional, mentally, I wasn’t ready. I found it difficult to cope with the constant push to be “professional” before I even understood who I was as a person. After just eight months, I made the difficult decision to leave.
From there, I was fortunate to find a nurturing environment under the guidance of a beautiful, elderly teacher, someone who mentored me with patience and compassion. She reminded me why I loved dancing in the first place. Eventually, I made the decision to return to a traditional school setting and complete my high school education. That break allowed me space to breathe, to mature, and to reconnect with myself.
Later, feeling more grounded and resilient, I auditioned for and was accepted into the Queensland University of Technology’s Diploma in Dance Performance program. This time, I thrived. I was ready. I embraced the training, the structure, and the challenge. In my second year, I successfully auditioned for a professional contract on my very first attempt,launching what would become a 10-year professional career that I am deeply proud of.
Looking back, I now know this: it is not a race. Becoming a professional dancer is a marathon. There is no need to peak at 12, 13, or even 15. Most professional dancers don’t hit their true stride until around 19 or 20,sometimes even later. Rushing the process doesn’t make you stronger or more successful. In fact, it often leads to injury, anxiety, and in many cases, young dancers walking away from something they once loved.
To young dancers, I want to say: take your time. Trust your journey. Let yourself be a kid who loves to dance. There is no magic age you need to “make it” by.
And to parents: please remember that dance is meant to be joyful at this age. Your child has a long road ahead if they choose to pursue dance professionally. Their bodies and minds need to stay healthy, strong, and inspired,not just for now, but for the years to come.
Let’s shift the culture. Let’s give our young dancers space to grow, explore, and fall in love with dance on their own terms. Because in the end, a dancer who grows at their own pace, with joy in their heart and support around them, will always go further.
