It’s Never Too Late to Start Dance

Written by Julie Wendler – Artistic Director of Dance and Ornate Dance Theatre

I didn’t begin dancing until I was fourteen. My parents had always worried about the over competitiveness and sometimes over sexualized elements of the dance world. It wasn’t until we discovered a faith-based studio that they felt comfortable letting me take my first ballet class. I remember walking into the studio surrounded by nine and ten-year-olds, feeling small, out of place, and low key dumb. But over time, I discovered that dance isn’t about age or who gets there first; it’s about commitment, steady growth, and trusting the process. In that studio, I began to build a foundation that would carry me far beyond dance. An understanding of grit, perseverance, teamwork, and the ability to take constructive criticism as a gift rather than a judgment were all skills that dance taught me.

These lessons shaped my life as an adult, as a wife, and now as a mom. I learned to rely on others, sometimes literally, sometimes metaphorically, and I learned that success is often the product of community as much as individual effort. These lessons are not confined to childhood or teenage years. They deepen and transform depending on where we are in life. Whether you’re a young mom, a working professional, or even someone in their 60+ who is feeling called to move, dance has something profound to teach you. As a dance instructor I can personally reassure you that we aren’t worried about your previous experience, how fit you are, or what your age is, we simply rejoice when someone steps into the studio ready to fall in love with movement.

Today, most of my dancing happens in quiet moments: swaying with my baby, a whispered prayer, a gentle stretch of gratitude. Yet I still carry the lessons from those early days on the floor into every part of my life. Dance at its heart is worship, surrender, and a silent language communicated through our bodies. If you feel that tug in your soul, don’t wait. Step onto the floor, wherever you are, however old you are, and let your body meet your heart in movement. I have watched countless people start later than they “thought they should,” and each time, it’s magic. The same humility, the same growth, the same life-giving beauty that carried me from that first timid class to a professional career and a decade of teaching. It’s never too late. If you’ve been looking for a sign to start dancing, consider this your personal invite onto the floor.