This week’s profile is of Dan Hynds, who blogs at Ballet Chap and also helped start an amateur ballet company, Shires Adult Ballet.

When did you start doing ballet as an adult? 

Around 4 years ago.

Did you ever take lessons as a kid? 

I dabbled as a teen, but never to any serious level.

 Why did you decide to take ballet as an adult?

I hit thirty and lots of things were at a crossroads in my life–I needed to find a “me” thing to do that ideally kept me fit as well, so I decided to revisit ballet and haven’t looked back!

 Where do you take classes? 

I regularly take classes at the Sophie May School of Dance, near Bedford, and With Amie Brotherton in Northampton. I also travel to London for regular pas de deux workshops.

What is your favorite part about ballet? 

It is so expressive and all consuming. When I dance it allows me to switch off from the real world. It pushes me to constantly challenge myself.

What is your least favorite part?

Allegro and small fast jumps! I’m 6’2 and just under 200 pounds; I do big and dramatic, not quick and nimble!

 Who/What is your ballet inspiration? 

It might sound clichéd but I’m inspired by many of the other amateur dancers around me–the adult ballet community is such a supportive caring group of people. More than once I have close to quitting, or been really nervous about a class or performance and I have been picked up by those around me.

What motivates you to keep dancing?

I want to be the best I can, and I don’t like quitting!

 Do you take any other dance classes?

I did one term of tap in my younger years and that was quite enough, thank you!

 What are your hobbies outside of ballet? 

I’m a singer, I ride horses and cycle.

 What advice would you like to give to those who want to start ballet or have just started? 

Go for it–I wish I had ten years ago.

 Anything else you’d like to add? 

Yes! I’m part of a group who have started an amateur adult ballet company–we plan to give more opportunities to adult dancers to perform in our area. We are called Shires Adult Ballet, and we are on Facebook and Twitter–website coming soon!