SINGAPORE – When Ms Kat Lam, 62, took her granddaughter to her first ballet lesson in 2019, the anxious four-year-old refused to let go of her grandchild’s hands.

The teacher invited Ms. Lam to the children’s lesson, hoping to calm the girl down.

While she was hesitant at the time, these days Ms. Lam, who is semi-retired, trains every two weeks. Classes at the Ballet Academy on Upper Thomson Road.

“Since I was young, I have always appreciated ballet for its costumes and graceful movements,” the grandmother of six told The Straits Times. Since my family cannot afford to send me to classes, I am now realizing my childhood dream.”

She is one of many who took up ballet as an adult.

Ballet schools told ST there was an increase in adult enrollments, with students of both genders ranging from their early 20s to their 60s. About half had no ballet experience.

Singapore Ballet has seen a 30 to 40 per cent increase in the number of students in its adult ballet classes between 2022 and 2024. Lessons start at $20 for 90 minutes and cover levels from beginner to advanced.

Enrollment for adult classes at City Ballet Academy Vaganova at Tanglin Mall has grown from fewer than 10 students when it opened in 2022 to more than 100 in October 2024.

The school, which teaches the Vaganova method of Russian ballet, has increased weekly classes from two to six to meet demand. Two more weekly classes will be added by mid-November.

Ilya Shcherbakov, principal and director of the school, attributes this growth to increasing fitness awareness among adults, many of whom want to improve their posture.

The Covid-19 lockdown has also allowed many people to explore ballet as a hobby or rekindle their childhood passion for dance through online videos, she said.

Singapore University of the Arts Lasalle College of Arts head of dance and drama school Ms Melissa Quek said adult ballet classes, which generally do not involve exams, offer an attractive and accessible option to dance for busy adults.

In addition to lessons, adult students can also participate in dance performances and competitions.

Singapore Ballet’s adult students staged a performance at the Bugis studios on 30 November. The event, which is open to invitees only, aims for 30 dance enthusiasts to present their progress to their families.