Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 11/13/2008

Question
Im 16 and I have been doing ballet for a couple years but i never wanted to do point untill now, but my ballet teacher said it would be almost impossble for me to start point this late is that true?

Answer
Hi Scarlett. Many ballet students start pointe later than 16 years old. It depends on the student's overall technical accuracy, and strength. If your ballet teacher perceives you as a student who will never reach a strength where you could go onto pointe shoes, then that would cause her to say that.

Can you ask her what you would have to do to study ballet in pointe shoes? Perhaps she will tell you to add another weekly class, or get stronger in your core muscles. She has a reason for her decision, so find out what it is.

If you fell you can study and work on your own, get a guide like The Perfect Pointe Book. You can find the author's link at http://www.theballetstore.com While it costs $47.77, it is a book you will refer to for years. It is designed for students to work safely at home, test their own strength, and monitor their own progress. It covers basic ballet technique also, turnout, posture, balance, and correct use of the feet in pointe shoes, before you start pointe work. I cannot think of anything better to recommend, if you are ambitious enough to add home practice to your spare time.

I do not believe anything is impossible. Ask your teacher to be specific about her statement to you, ask what you need to improve and then start working on it. Decide whether you want to put the time into getting stronger yourself. You might surprise her!

All the best, and feel free to ask any further questions, Dianne.