Class Descriptions

Age Requirements: Pointe shoes should not be worn until the minimum age of 12. This is the age at which the bones in the feet have begun hardening enough to avoid damaging the developing feet. Until this age the bones have not ossified enough to avoid damage to feet such as bone malformations, bunions, and hammertoes. Knee and hip damage can also result from placing a dancer on pointe too soon. 

Pointe Shoe Fitting Invitations - When they are strong enough, and have passed our pointe strength tests, they will receive an invitation for their first pointe shoe fitting and a letter of recommendation with all the information needed for parents. We will have a class pointe shoe fitting in the studio and Mrs Rachael will fit each dancer personally to ensure the best fit. The entire class will begin pointe together at the same time and will begin a specialized program that we have developed to help dancers gain strength safely in their new pointe shoes. Please DO NOT purchase pointe shoes on your own.  No one will be permitted to begin early. We follow a set program that requires a minimum of 12 weeks at the barre in their pointe shoes before students are permitted to perform simple exercises in the center on pointe. 

Excellent attendance is expected and makeup classes are required for each absence to maintain strength and technique. If attendance requirements are not met, dancers will not be permitted to receive their pointe recommendation letter or wear pointe shoes. 

The attire for pre-pointe classes is a black leotard in a style of your choice, short sheer black skirt if desired, or short black dance shorts, pink convertible tights with a hole in the arch of the foot, pink leather or stretch canvas split-sole ballet slippers. Hair should be pulled back in a bun if possible. Pointe Shoes and Ballet technique shoes are required for all pointe students. 

Beginning Pointe (ages 12 and up)

Two classes per week required. Must be 12 before January 1st. Dancers are not permitted to wear pointe shoes until they are 12 years old to protect their developing bones and muscles. This is the year that students will receive their pointe shoe recommendation letter, typically mid-season. They will spend the summer and first half of the season building additional strength in feet and ankles for Pointe shoes, increasing their stamina and understanding of pointe technique. 

Teen Beginning Pointe

Two classes per week required. This is the year that students will receive their pointe shoe recommendation letter, typically mid-season. They will spend the summer and first half of the season building additional strength in feet and ankles for Pointe shoes, increasing their stamina and understanding of pointe technique.  When they are strong enough, and have passed our pointe strength tests, they will receive a letter of recommendation and a special invitation to purchase pointe shoes. We will have a class pointe shoe fitting in the studio and Mrs Rachael will fit each dancer personally to ensure the best fit. The entire class will begin pointe together at the same time and will begin a specialized program that we have developed to help them to gain strength safely in their new pointe shoes. Please do not purchase pointe shoes on your own.  No one will be permitted to begin early. We follow a set program that requires a minimum of 12 weeks at the barre in their pointe shoes before students are permitted to perform simple exercises in the center on pointe. 

Pointe 2 and Teen Pointe 2

Two classes per week required. This class is for students who are in their second year of pointe. Beginning techniques are practiced and fine tuned as students are introduced to more ballet steps and combinations that require strength on a single foot. Pointe shoes are worn the entire class. Excellent attendance is expected and makeup classes are required for each absence to maintain strength and technique. If adequate strength is not maintained dancers may not be permitted to wear pointe shoes or may be required to take additional classes to regain strength. A placement class is required to determine the appropriate level for new students. Hair should be pulled back in a bun if possible and we ask that extreme hair styles and colors be avoided as this is one of the classes frequently invited to be a part of the Corps de Ballet and may be invited for special roles in our performances.

 
Intermediate Pointe (ages 14 and up)

Two classes per week required. Students must have completed two or more years of Pointe to be invited into Intermediate Pointe classes. Pointe technique is faster and more demanding. Pointe shoes are worn the entire class, twice a week. This class introduces professional level choreography. Excellent attendance is expected and makeup classes are required for each absence to maintain strength and technique. If adequate strength is not maintained dancers may not be permitted to wear pointe shoes or may be required to take additional classes or private lessons to regain strength. A placement class is required to determine the appropriate level for new students.  Hair should be pulled back in a bun if possible.  We ask that extreme hair styles and colors be avoided as this is one of the classes frequently invited to be a part of the Corps de Ballet and may be invited for special roles in our performances.

Advanced Pointe (ages 14 and up) 

Three classes per week required. Students must have completed one or more years of Intermediate Pointe. Pointe technique at this level is highly demanding. Pointe shoes are worn the entire class, three times a week. Excellent attendance is expected and makeup classes are required for each absence to maintain strength and technique. If adequate strength is not maintained dancers may not be permitted to wear pointe shoes or may be required to take additional classes or private lessons to regain strength. This class involves advanced professional level choreography and auditions for soloist and principal roles for our performances. A placement class is required to determine the appropriate level for new students. Hair should be pulled back in a bun if possible.  We ask that extreme hair styles and colors be avoided because students in this class are selected as our Soloists and Principal dancers for our performances.

Additional Conditioning classes for pointe classes - PBT, Turns and Leaps, Stretch classes and Partnering classes are highly encouraged  to enhance training and strength.