When am I ready for pointe?
Every little girl in ballet has this burning question: "When can I get my pointe shoes?" The answer isn't always as clear-cut and satisfactory as might be hoped for, but following are a few of the factors that go into the decision to either begin or delay a student's journey into pointe work. It is worth noting that every case is individual and will be treated as such. There is no formula that will apply to every dancer.
Age and experience
Age is not a default qualification, but a minimum threshold. A student should be no younger than 11 years old to be considered a candidate for pointe. 12 or above will be the case for most. There is no maximum age for beginning pointe work; even adult students are eligible to begin pointe if they are deemed strong enough and are willing to commit the time required to do so effectively. Time spent in class, as well as a student’s level of focus, are more important factors than age.
Frequency of classes
In order to practice pointe safely and effectively, certain standards of practice must be observed. This is why students at Purple level and above have multiple hours' worth of ballet classes each week. Breaks in training will interfere with fine motor skills and specific muscle memory. Therefore, students who drop out and return later will have to put in more time to rebuild lost skills before being considered.
***NOTE: It has become apparent that the demands of team sports significantly interfere with safe and effective pointe training. Likewise for other activities with a high demand on time that should be spent in class. Therefore it is our policy that students participating in spring sports, spring plays, or any other activity that results in a high number of absences from class, will not be permitted to perform en pointe. In the fall semester, they cannot be cast in an en pointe role in Nutcracker. They can perform in flat slippers and continue to work en pointe in class.
***NOTE: It has become apparent that the demands of team sports significantly interfere with safe and effective pointe training. Likewise for other activities with a high demand on time that should be spent in class. Therefore it is our policy that students participating in spring sports, spring plays, or any other activity that results in a high number of absences from class, will not be permitted to perform en pointe. In the fall semester, they cannot be cast in an en pointe role in Nutcracker. They can perform in flat slippers and continue to work en pointe in class.
Mastery of skills
Pointe requires sufficient strength, not only of the feet and legs, but of the entire body. In order to be considered for pointe, a dancer must demonstrate adequate strength and control in the muscles of the core, hips, legs, and feet. Ballet becomes exponentially more difficult in pointe shoes, so comprehension and mastery of basic concepts of technique must be apparent prior to beginning pointe. This includes but is not limited to: articulation of the feet, maintaining a high demipointe position, control over the alignment of hips, pelvis, and spine, fully straightening the knees, strongly pointing the feet, maintaining turnout from the hip, solid balance en demipointe on two feet and on one foot. Sufficient mastery of skills will be determined by the ballet faculty.
Attitude
Pointe is a challenge that can be very frustrating at times. A dancer must demonstrate a positive attitude in class toward both instructors and classmates, accepting corrections and feedback graciously and without argument. A dancer should also demonstrate respect for other students, teachers, parents, and other adults.
Director approval
The director has final say in the decision to begin, postpone, pause, or end any student's study of pointe at Etudes Ballet School. This also pertains to new students who may have been placed en pointe by teachers at other studios.