Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 12/22/2008

Question
Hi. I'm thirteen and I'm just DYING to dance pointe. My ballet school stopped
offering it a few years ago, when I was too young, and I really want to start. I
know it's not completely about age, but am I too old/young to start? I've been
dancing for ten years now, and I take two ballet classes a week [along with two
jazz/hiphop and one tap]. I'm built like a dancer, I have no butt/boobs/fat. But
the problem is, is my turnout isn't too great. It's gotten better, but it's from
sitting on my feet from when I was younger... any advice?

I've been looking for places that teach pointe near me, which isn't too hard (i live
in new york city) but most require taking regular ballet there, and the websites
aren't too good at telling about the school. I also REALLY love the school I'm at
now... I'm wondering if I'll have to completely switch schools for ballet...

My Final Question: When you take pointe, how many times a week will you have
to go?

Thanks :),
Lillian

Answer
Hi Lillian. Regarding your turnout first: it's really a question of strength. Being able to hold the turnout you have is more important than what degree of turnout you have naturally. In other words, if you cannot hold it, it does not do anything for your dancing. So I would focus on holding the turnout in any given ballet position.

Many ballet students begin dancing in pointe shoes, fifteen minutes per class. It might be a good idea to go to see some of the classes that are taught in the ballet schools near you. If they offer a regular class with pointe work added at the end of class. It is generally better to start pointe work a few minutes per class, unless you have done a careful pre-pointe training, which involves home practice six days a week.

This kind of training is outlined by an expert in The Perfect Pointe Book. The author's link is at http://www.theballetstore.com if you would like to read a little about it. It is on the home page, bottom right.

So you may have to switch schools in order to dance ballet on pointe. Go see some classes at other schools, with a parent, and see what you think. You may find a pointe class somewhere, and be able to stay at your current ballet school for regular classes. Probably you'll do pointe once a week. It is a gradual progression adding all your ballet movements onto pointe shoes.

The Perfect Pointe Book also goes over proper posture, proper turnout, and proper balance positions.  There are articles at http://www.theballetstore.com on all aspects of ballet technique which you might enjoy reading.

All the best with your search! And, Happy Holidays!