You are here:

Ballet/Too Old to Go For Pointe?

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/9/2009


Question
Hi, I am fourteen years old and currently taking a beginner ballet class. I have taken ballet in the past but have been out of it for a long time. This coming school year I will hopefully be in two ballet classes, a jazz class, and a tap class. My main focus is ballet but the jazz and tap class go along with one of the ballet classes. I am EXTREMELY determined and am working to improve technique and flexibility every day. Do you think that it is too late for me to strive to be en pointe?

Answer
Hi Claire! No, it is absolutely not too late to think of getting into pointe shoes one day. It is all a question of the accuracy of your ballet technique, and the strength in your tiny sole of the foot muscles.

If you go to my blog, http://www.balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com you'll see a list of posts about pointe shoes on the left, down a little. There is lots of info there to help you.

There is also a link to The Perfect Pointe Book, also on the left. It takes you to a page where you'll hear the author talking about it and all the amazing info that is in it. That book will further refine your work and get you towards dancing ballet in pointe shoes accurately and safely.

All the best, Dianne  

Ballet

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dianne M. Buxton

Expertise

I can answer questions about ballet positions, ballet movements and ballet technique, pointe shoes and pre pointe exercise, mens training, ballet diet, general health issues related to dance, artistry, performance, modern dance, rehabilitation from injuries, and teaching ballet. I have taught ballet, choreographed, produced and directed dance companies. For any answers related to health questions I will offer my experience, and give references to information, but I also automatically include "see a professional".

Experience

dancer, ballet and modern, choreographer, dance teacher, artistic director, ballet mistress, producer

Organizations
I.S.T.D. Actra, Actors Equity

Publications
http://ezinearticles.com http://ballettoeshoes.blogspot.com http://streetarticles.com http://balletconnections.com

Education/Credentials
Graduate of the National Ballet School of Canada where I studied Cecchetti, Bournonville, Vaganova and Graham technique. Taught at the National Ballet School of Canada, York University, George Brown College and Harvard University.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.