Pointe
Pas de Deux Dance Studio
The pointe program at Pas de Deux Dance Studio is for dancers age 11+. To be eligible to
begin pointe work a dancer must:
Pointe I, age 11 +, 30 minutes
Dancers need to be at least 11 years old, completed one or more years at Ballet II or higher,
been in ballet classes for at least two years, and have the instructor's permission to enroll in
this class. In September the class begins as a pre-pointe class. Dancers learn the patterns
they will use once they get their first pair of pointe shoes and work on strengthening their feet.
When dancers are ready for pointe shoes (generally sometime between October and
December), the class goes as a group for a pointe shoe fitting and to buy the first pair. This is
followed by a pointe workshop, where dancers learn how to prep their shoes for dancing
(sewing on ribbons and elastic, putting on moleskin, etc). The class focuses on barre work
and the introduction of some easy two-footed center work. Performance in the Spring Recital
for this class is based on each individual dancer's progress and where they are ability wise at
the end of December. At the end of the year, each dancer will receive a recommendation as
to which class they should enroll in for the following year. Dancers who repeat Pointe I (either
because they were not ready to perform in the Spring Recital their first year, or because they
need to build up more strength before starting the next level) take the entire year en pointe.
Pointe II, age 12+, 45 minutes
To enroll in this class, dancers must have completed one or more years of Pointe I and have
the instructors approval. Dancers will continue building up their strength and technique in
pointe shoes, including an introduction to one-footed pointe work. Dancers generally spend
two to three years at this level before moving up. All dancers in this class perform in the
annual Spring Recital. When possible, this class also begins to learn supported partnering
work (i.e. promenades, releves and pirouettes). It is highly recommended that dancers
enrolled in this class be enrolled in Ballet III or higher.
Pointe III, age 14+, 45 - 60 minutes
This class is for advanced pointe students who are ready for the challenge of completing a full
technique class on pointe, but still need to focus on specific pointe skills. To be in this class,
dancers must have completed at least two years of Pointe II, currently enrolled in Ballet IV or
higher for at least one of their technique classes, and have the instructors approval.
Pointe IV, age 16+, 60 minutes
Students at this level take one of the Ballet III or Ballet IV technique classes as a pointe class.
Since professional ballet dancers wear pointe shoes for the majority of their choreography, it
is important for dancers to learn how to properly use their feet for steps that do not go up on
pointe as well as for typical pointe work. Taking a technique class in pointe shoes gives the
dancer the opportunity to develop those off pointe skills while still keeping up on their general
pointe work. The class taken as Pointe IV should be one level below their normal technique
class level. Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet IV or higher for both of their technique classes
to be at this level.
begin pointe work a dancer must:
- be 11 years old or older as of September 1st of the dance season.
- have completed at least two full years of technique classes (Ballet I and higher)
- have completed at least one full year of Ballet II or higher
- be concurrently registered in two technique classes at Ballet II or higher
Pointe I, age 11 +, 30 minutes
Dancers need to be at least 11 years old, completed one or more years at Ballet II or higher,
been in ballet classes for at least two years, and have the instructor's permission to enroll in
this class. In September the class begins as a pre-pointe class. Dancers learn the patterns
they will use once they get their first pair of pointe shoes and work on strengthening their feet.
When dancers are ready for pointe shoes (generally sometime between October and
December), the class goes as a group for a pointe shoe fitting and to buy the first pair. This is
followed by a pointe workshop, where dancers learn how to prep their shoes for dancing
(sewing on ribbons and elastic, putting on moleskin, etc). The class focuses on barre work
and the introduction of some easy two-footed center work. Performance in the Spring Recital
for this class is based on each individual dancer's progress and where they are ability wise at
the end of December. At the end of the year, each dancer will receive a recommendation as
to which class they should enroll in for the following year. Dancers who repeat Pointe I (either
because they were not ready to perform in the Spring Recital their first year, or because they
need to build up more strength before starting the next level) take the entire year en pointe.
Pointe II, age 12+, 45 minutes
To enroll in this class, dancers must have completed one or more years of Pointe I and have
the instructors approval. Dancers will continue building up their strength and technique in
pointe shoes, including an introduction to one-footed pointe work. Dancers generally spend
two to three years at this level before moving up. All dancers in this class perform in the
annual Spring Recital. When possible, this class also begins to learn supported partnering
work (i.e. promenades, releves and pirouettes). It is highly recommended that dancers
enrolled in this class be enrolled in Ballet III or higher.
Pointe III, age 14+, 45 - 60 minutes
This class is for advanced pointe students who are ready for the challenge of completing a full
technique class on pointe, but still need to focus on specific pointe skills. To be in this class,
dancers must have completed at least two years of Pointe II, currently enrolled in Ballet IV or
higher for at least one of their technique classes, and have the instructors approval.
Pointe IV, age 16+, 60 minutes
Students at this level take one of the Ballet III or Ballet IV technique classes as a pointe class.
Since professional ballet dancers wear pointe shoes for the majority of their choreography, it
is important for dancers to learn how to properly use their feet for steps that do not go up on
pointe as well as for typical pointe work. Taking a technique class in pointe shoes gives the
dancer the opportunity to develop those off pointe skills while still keeping up on their general
pointe work. The class taken as Pointe IV should be one level below their normal technique
class level. Dancers must be enrolled in Ballet IV or higher for both of their technique classes
to be at this level.
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