Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 4/11/2009

Question
Hi!
I am 13 and I am taking up ballet again. Now I really want to get into pointe shoes or at least demi- pointe shoes. Is there anyway possible that I could wear demi-pointe shoes at my ballet class that I am going to take?And I have one more question. How do you know what level of ballet you are in?
Thanks!
Jenny

Answer
Hi Jenny! Since I am not sure how much ballet you did before you started again, I'm not sure when you could get into pointe shoes.

Basically it would depend on the accuracy of your ballet technique, and the strength of your foot muscles.

I would advise that you ask your teacher when she/he thinks you might get into pointe shoes. Ask what you specifically need to work on to do that. The level you are in might relate to the school you are in, or the kind of syllabus the school uses (RAD, Cecchetti, Vaganova, etc.).

The book The Perfect Pointe Book, written by a dance medicine specialist, explains every detail of ballet posture, turnout, balance and foot strength needed to do ballet in pointe shoes. You can read more about that at the author's link at http://www.theballetstore.com It's a treasure.

There are several articles there you can read, too, that talk about foot exercises for pointe work. But bear in mind that every tendu and degage you do correctly prepares you for pointe work. You do not need demi-pointe shoes to improve.

Ballet technique is designed to prepare you for pointe work. Just keep working!And feel free to ask any further questions.

All the best, Dianne