In a little dance studio on Northbourne Avenue, the wondrous world of ballet is taught to women of all ages, sizes, and skill – every body is welcome.  

Linda Willington, 52, and Sophie Chalk, 47, are later-in-life dancers who decided to take a leap of faith and sauté into an adult-only dance studio to finally live out their childhood dreams. It’s been a few years now for both women since they first laced up their ballet slippers and put their hair in a bun, and they say it’s one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.

The stereotypical ballerina image is of a skinny, gorgeous, young woman, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But these Canberra women are ballerinas in their own right, and they’re proud to plié, slide on their ballet shoes, and relevé at the barre, each and every week.

“I’ve always wanted to do ballet. My daughter danced from three to 18 and I was a dance mum on the side, always a bit jealous and just paying all the money,” laughed Linda.

“I knew about the adult studio, 6th Position, and just never had the guts to do it, and then it was offered online when we went into lockdown. So, I just started in my garage at home, and then braved it to the studio when we came out.

“Before my first class, I was so nervous because of my age, because of my body shape … I was very nervous.”

Not having quite the same motivation as Linda, Sophie mainly chose to begin classes simply for her fitness.  

“I did have a love of ballet. I read a lot of comic books about it when I was little but I’d been looking for adult only classes for a number of years because I think it’s nice to be fit,” Sophie said.

“So, in the beginning it was more for a physical workout and then the more I got into it, the more I enjoyed it.

“My first class? Well … I survived. I didn’t cry, I didn’t fall over, and it was fun! There was no expectation, I didn’t want to be a ballerina or anything, I just wanted to work out.”

Neither aspires to being a star, but both say their improved wellbeing is what keeps them coming back.

“It was 100 per cent the stereotype of ballerinas which stopped me from starting ballet. Ballet when I was younger was very regimented and not fun at all. You were told how hopeless you were and you’re not going to make it, so why are you even bothering,” Linda said.

“But the teachers here just make you laugh, and you have a laugh at yourself. It’s not about becoming a prima ballerina, not at all.

“I keep coming back because I just love it so much. It’s an hour and a half where the music is beautiful, it’s nice to get dressed up, and you just feel good.”

Sophie’s favourite part of the class is the barre exercises, and she says it’s dramatically improved her mental health.

“I like being at the barre because it’s me time. Me and myself, and how it feels being in the present. Having that moment of silence in your life is so precious,” Sophie said.

“You have to really feel and listen to what’s going on around you rather than worry about the future or the outside world.”

With a community of supportive teachers and like-minded peers, Sophie and Linda have gained a new level of confidence they never thought possible.

“The challenge of my life is to do a pirouette and I just can’t get there!” chuckled Linda.

“I just said to my ballet teacher ‘am I ever going to get this?’ and she went ‘I don’t know’, and we laughed. She tries so hard each week, but …” she shrugged.

Sophie and Linda have both performed in one concert, hosted by 6th Position, with tutus, lights, and stage makeup – the whole experience.

“That was pretty scary. I was hesitant to do it, but I just went ‘oh well, why not?’” revealed Linda.

“Others did it as well and we just supported each other. It was my first time performing ballet on a stage.”

Sophie has signed up for her second concert this year in October, and she’s working on getting Linda to sign up again with her … and she’s almost been convinced.

“I was absolutely proud of myself stepping off that stage. It was just so much fun, and it wasn’t just the performance, it was the whole backstage stuff and all the practice,” Linda smiled.

“My daughter actually came to see the concert and she rejoined ballet after it. She’s 26 now, dancing four to five times a week, she’s back on her pointe shoes, and she said to me that in that time in between she was trying to find a sport that she fit into. As soon as she came back to ballet, she was home.

“It’s inspired her, and it’s really beautiful to see her dancing again, and she just loves it. She buys a new leotard probably every week.”

Walking like a penguin from the pain after her first class didn’t dampen Sophie’s spirit, and she has even gained the courage to take trapeze lessons.

To any adult with a yearning to learn how to tie their ribbons and give ballet a go, but believes their time has passed, Sophie and Linda have some words of encouragement.  

“It’s never too late! Here, most of us just really want to enjoy ourselves. It’s opened up a window and, yes, an old dog can learn new tricks,” Sophie said.

“Even if you’re an adult, you can still dance at the highest level of your own potential.

“If you try it, at least you know if it’s working for you or not. But if you don’t try it, then you’ve 100 per cent failed. That’s what I’ve learnt.”

“Just do it, just be brave. I’ve gotten to the age now where I don’t really care about what other people think, and I used to care a lot,” smiled Linda.  

“I’d absolutely recommend people do ballet. If you’ve got that desire, then just do it! Give it a go always – there’s nothing wrong with trying something.

“That’s one reason why I’m doing this article, because I want people to just try it. Don’t be scared. Ballet doesn’t have an age limit. Not at all.”

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