Memorandum

To: All pointe students
CC: Karen Cerkez
From: Cindee Velle
Date: 10/01/2003
Re: To the “Pointe”

The dream of most every Ballet student is to dance on Pointe. We have more students than ever at our school this year enrolled in Pointe classes. The intent of this memo is to make the experience of dancing on pointe productive and pleasurable for all students and their teachers. Our goal is to get you up there, looking good. There are some things you need to know, to help make this a reality. These standards apply to all pointe classes and the Columbia Chamber Ballet class.

Adequately hard toe shoes are required so that the student can dance full out on pointe at all times. Hard toe shoes are as important to the Ballet dancer as cleats are to the athlete or a sharpened pencil and paper are to the Algebra student. Buying new toe shoes will save you much money in unnecessary doctor’s bills that, you will acquire if you choose to dance on soft pointe shoes. A pointe student may only take class on demi pointe in regular Ballet slippers if she brings a signed note from her parent stating that she is unable to dance on pointe for medical reasons.

Toe shoes are expensive; however there are tricks of the trade that will help you get more releves out of your dollar. Always take your pointe shoes out of your dance bag to air out after class. Soggy toe shoes left in a dance bag will break down more quickly. Once your shoes are broken in, apply a little future floor finish to the inside of the block to harden the shoe. There are other products on the market now such as pointe shoe box glue, available in dance supply stores and in catalogues that will also help lengthen the life of your pointe shoe. Alternate your left and right shoes, so that you are not always wearing the same shoe on the same foot. Alternate pairs of shoes so that while one pair is drying from wear or from hardening agents, you have another dry pair to dance in. Recycle toe shoe ribbons instead of buying new ribbons with every pair of new shoes. Ribbons wash up very nicely by hand. Once you know which style and size of pointe shoe works for you, mail order for a discount, and buy more than one pair per order to save on shipping. There are many brands of toe shoes on the market. Finding the right fit is a personal decision. I recommend that you do not buy Gaynor Minden or Sansha pointe shoes. Bloch, Chacott, Freed, Grishko, SoDanza Capezio and Gamba are all acceptable. Look for a shoe that is hard as opposed to a lightweight shoe that will not hold up as well over time. Toe shoes should fit snugly. Be sure to protect your toes with accessories such as lamb’s wool, toe pads, tape or paper towels to minimize blistering. If you get a blister, apply first aid to prevent infection. If during class your feet are in pain and you need to make an adjustment to your toes, go quietly to the teacher and ask if you may sit down and tend to your toes.

Dancing on pointe is unlike any other dance experience, however it does require preparation, working sensibly and being made of the “right stuff”. Hopefully this memo has been helpful. If you have further questions, please see your teacher. Good luck!

Cindee Velle