Balancing ballet with a normal life -- is it possible?

As a bit of a nerd myself, I've read interviews, articles and a few biographies about great dancers of the past. And nearly every one of them will tell you that to make it in this art form of dance, to be a great ballet dancer, you must make it your life completely. The devotion of ballet dancers is incredible and awe-inspiring, but is it healthy, or even possible, for the average young dancer of today?

Ballet isn't something you should do half-heartedly. Well, let me amend that: I believe everyone should dance as much as they want to, but if you want this as a career, there is no half-assing it (pardon my language, but it's true.) Ballet is too hard on the body and too hard mentally and emotionally to pursue if it isn't what you want to do with your life. That being said, if you need to devote yourself 100 percent to the art form to be great and have that career, does that mean you cannot have time for anything else? Does a normal, happy, healthily balanced life not fit into the equation?

I suppose by definition, no. You cannot add anything else in if 100 percent of your energy is already focused on one thing. While I admire that focus and drive and strive for it myself, I do not think it is possible to stay sane that way or to continue to love your art and have longevity in your career.

Growing up, I've watched dancers burn themselves out on ballet, ballet, ballet; from pushing too hard and from the pressure they put on themselves or from their parents. The only thing that happened is that the obsession led to burnout. My momma has always told me she was happy I had other interests besides ballet as I grew up. Don't get me wrong, in the studio I had a reputation among teachers and other students of always working hard and being focused. I'd drive two cities over to see a ballet or watch my favorite ballerinas on my laptop. I had balance in my life with friends and geeking out over books and movies.

As a dancer in college, our professors want more, more, more. I wouldn't have picked this university if I didn't know they were going to push us. We were reminded of a George Balanchine quote, "I don't want dancers who want to dance. I want dancers who need to dance."

I don't disagree with this. Passion is the driving force behind our art, and without it, is it worth doing? We are at college as dancers to soak up as much as we can and push ourselves to our limits to go beyond them, but also to explore. All I'm saying is that while we do all of that pushing, and growing, and giving ourselves over (nearly) completely to dance, we should also allow ourselves to breathe and do other things as well. We don't need to punish ourselves for one moment missed. We can still be great.

Are we human, or are we dancer?

I'll take both, thank you.