Dancing on Pointe / Dancing sur le Pointe

necessary to accomplish expertise in this art form.

Young girls usually enter into a formal ballet training program around the age of 8. After studying ballet technique for 3-4 years, young girls have likely developed sufficient strength, understanding of the workings of the human body, and are fluent in ballet vocabulary. At that time, conscientious teachers assess the young girl’s potential for dancing on pointe. First, the dancer must have a strong core, as well as strong legs, ankles and feet. The foot must have sufficient arch and flexibility to be able to form a 90 degree angle with the floor when standing as high on the balls of the feet as possible. This foot and ankle structure is just the start. The girls must now commit to additional classes designed specifically to develop proper pointe work.

At the School of Greensboro Ballet, our students must pass through a year of pre-pointe training before being allowed to dance on pointe. Even then, it may become apparent that a given student is not somehow suited for continued pursuit of pointe training.

The idea of dancing on pointe originated in the mid-1800’s. It was felt that dancing on pointe created the image of a dancer being lighter than air, and perhaps, even not quite human.¬† Many Romantic style classical ballets use pointe technique as a way to establish this ethereal look to the female form.