Expert: Connie - 12/21/2010

Question
Hello Connie,
I'm a male just randomly deciding to learn Ballet dance. I've always been interested in it. Just never really took any classes or anything. Anyways, I have quite a few questions. My first question is, what type of shoes do males wear? I'm confused on this because no where seems to have a clear definition on this subject. Only thing I have learned is they don't usually wear point. My second question following that one is, if men don't generally wear point, do the dance styles differ? I feel like if the men didn't get on their toes, they wouldn't be able to move like their female counterparts. But that's just me. I knew to all of this! :) So any help and advice would be pretty cool!

Thanks
Corey

Answer
Men who do ballet do not wear pointe shoes (unless they're specifically training for Les Ballets Trockaderos (a very funny troop, check them out on youtube.com!).  Men wear soft shoes, commonly known as ballet slippers, that look like these:

http://www.discountdance.com/spframe_set.php3?mf=/dancewear/style_2031.html&camp...


In ballet the women move in a light manner.  The steps they specialize in require precision, balance, and fluidity.  While male dancing encompasses all of the above, they concentrate on high jumps, turns, and power.  The dance styles do differ slightly, but both still are ballet.

I'm really glad to hear you're interested in ballet.  Try to find a reputable adult class, taught by a teacher with a syllabus or one who adheres to a method, such as the Vaganova method.  Also, watch some videos (youtube has fantastic ballet videos) of professional dance, or better yet, go see a ballet company perform!  Best of luck, and let me know if you have any more questions.