Pointe Classes

Looking into Pointe…

Pre-Pointe Class (Pre-Pointe):

Designed for ballet students who are preparing to transition to dancing en pointe.
Focuses on strengthening the feet, ankles, and legs through specific exercises targeting the muscles required for pointe work.
Includes introduction to basic pointe technique, alignment, and proper foot placement, often performed in soft ballet shoes or bare feet.
Beginner Pointe Class (Beginner):
Geared towards students who have recently transitioned to dancing en pointe or are new to pointe work.
Focuses on building strength, stability, and confidence in dancing en pointe, with emphasis on proper alignment, turnout, and placement.
Includes introductory barre and center exercises, simple pointe combinations, and individualized feedback to ensure students progress safely and effectively.
Intermediate/Advanced Pointe Class (Intermediate/Advanced):
Designed for experienced pointe dancers with a strong foundation in pointe technique.
Focuses on refining technique, developing artistry, and exploring more complex movements and variations while dancing en pointe.
Includes advanced barre and center work, challenging pointe combinations, variations from classical repertoire, and opportunities for artistic expression and performance.

Each level of our pointe classes provides a progressive and structured approach to pointe training, catering to the needs and abilities of dancers at different stages of their pointe journey.

Beginner Pointe

Looking Into Pointe Beginner…

In the beginner pointe class, dancers focus on developing the foundational skills and strength necessary for dancing en pointe safely. The class typically includes:

Foot Strengthening Exercises: Gentle exercises to strengthen the muscles of the feet and ankles, such as theraband exercises, rises, and releves, to prepare the feet for dancing en pointe.
Introduction to Pointe Technique: Basic instruction on how to properly rise onto demi-pointe and maintain balance, focusing on proper alignment, turnout, and placement of the feet and ankles.
Barre Work: Beginner-level barre exercises tailored to pre-pointe and beginner pointe students, focusing on building stability, control, and proper alignment while wearing pointe shoes or demi-pointe shoes.
Center Work: Center exercises to further develop balance, coordination, and confidence in dancing en pointe away from the barre, including basic movements such as releves, eleves, bourrees, and simple turns.
Individualized Attention and Corrections: Personalized feedback and corrections from the instructor to ensure dancers are executing movements correctly and progressing safely in their pointe training.
Safety and Injury Prevention: Instruction on proper pointe shoe fitting, care, and maintenance, as well as guidance on recognizing signs of fatigue or discomfort to prevent injury.
Artistic Exploration: Introduction to expressing emotion and musicality through movement, encouraging dancers to connect with the music and convey their interpretation of the choreography while dancing en pointe.

Our beginner pointe class provides a supportive and encouraging environment for dancers who are new to dancing en pointe, offering the opportunity to safely explore this challenging and rewarding aspect of ballet technique under the guidance of experienced instructors.

Pointe Advanced/Intermediate

Looking into Advanced Pointe…

In the Intermediate/Advanced Pointe Class, dancers focus on refining their pointe technique, developing strength, and exploring artistry at a higher level. The class typically includes:

Advanced Pointe Technique: Complex exercises and combinations to refine and expand pointe technique, including pirouettes, fouettés, multiple turns, and intricate footwork.
Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to further develop strength, stability, and flexibility in the feet, ankles, and legs, including relevés, eleves, rises, and balances.
Artistry and Musicality: Emphasis on expressing emotion, musicality, and storytelling through movement, encouraging dancers to connect with the music and convey their interpretation of the choreography.
Variations and Repertoire: Learning excerpts from classical ballet variations or contemporary repertoire, allowing dancers to apply their technique and artistry in a performance context.
Core and Upper Body Strength: Integration of exercises to strengthen the core muscles and upper body, enhancing stability, balance, and control while dancing en pointe.
Balancing and Partnering: Practice in balancing exercises and partnering techniques, fostering collaboration and trust between dancers while executing intricate lifts, turns, and supported movements.
Individualized Feedback: Personalized feedback and corrections from the instructor to help dancers refine their technique, address areas of improvement, and progress in their pointe training safely and effectively.

Our Intermediate/Advanced Pointe Class provides a challenging and enriching environment for experienced dancers to further develop their pointe technique, explore artistic expression, and refine their performance skills at a higher level of proficiency.

Pre-Pointe

Looking into Pre-Pointe…

In the pre-pointe ballet class, students focus on preparing their bodies for the eventual transition to dancing en pointe. The class typically includes:

Foot Strengthening Exercises: Specific exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the feet and ankles in preparation for pointe work. This may include theraband exercises, releves, eleves, and foot articulation exercises.
Ankle Stability and Alignment: Exercises to improve ankle stability, alignment, and proprioception, helping students develop the necessary control and balance required for dancing en pointe.
Barre Work: Barre exercises tailored to pre-pointe students, focusing on building strength, flexibility, and proper alignment while wearing bare feet or soft ballet shoes.
Core Strength and Stability: Incorporation of core strengthening exercises to support proper alignment and control during pointe work, emphasising the importance of a strong core for maintaining stability and balance.
Introduction to Pointe Technique: Basic introduction to pointe technique, including how to properly rise onto demi-pointe, maintain balance, and execute simple movements such as releves and eleves.
Alignment and Posture: Attention to correct body alignment and posture, with an emphasis on developing strong, stable turnout and maintaining a lifted and engaged upper body.
Instructor Guidance and Assessment: Individualised feedback and guidance from instructors to ensure students are progressing safely and effectively in their pre-pointe training, with consideration given to each student's unique strengths and limitations.

Our pre-pointe ballet class provides a solid foundation for students preparing to transition to dancing en pointe, focusing on building the necessary strength, technique, and alignment to support their future pointe work safely and effectively.