The Ballet Bible

Choosing the Right Ballet Slippers

In ballet, as in most of life, the clothing options for women are more varied than for men. Take unitards, leotards and warm-up clothing as an example.

Now, when it comes to ballet shoes or slippers, the pattern still exists. But first, you may be asking, why wear ballet footwear when you can dance beautifully in your socks?

For this reason: you need support for your foot while allowing access to all your bones and muscles of your feet. The variety of shoes available is impressive and your options include:

1. Leather full-sole slippers

2. Canvas full-sole slippers

3. Canvas split-sole slippers

4. Split-sole dance sneakers in leather, canvas, or a combination of materials.

Split-sole shoes have no sole between the ball of the foot and the heel. The added flexibility in the middle of the shoe helps the arch effect of your foot to look higher, which allows for less effort to point fully. Why is that important? Because in ballet, your arch can never be too high.

Ballet slippers range in price from about $20 U.S. a pair to $35 a pair. How long they last depends on how often you wear them and your tolerance for the odor of your own feet. Some wear socks inside their ballet slippers which helps them stay clean and fresh a lot longer.

Getting the correct size ballet slippers

Ballet slippers should fit snugly and securely. At most, when you’re standing, someone should be able to stick one finger into your shoe at the heel. But ideally, there shouldn’t be enough room for a whole finger. However, your toes should be able to relax without feeling too cramped.

If you live in any good-sized city, you should be able to find at least one dance supply shop nearby. To find the right shoe, visit the local shop and try on several different styles, brands, and sizes of ballet slipper. Remember to bring the appropriate socks you plan to wear along with those shoes.

While you’re in your favorite dance supply store, trust your local shoe-fitting person but listen to your body as well. By trying on various widths and lengths, you can be assured that you have just the right shoe for your feet. If it feels good, buy it.

And nowadays with the online internet options we have, choosing and shopping for a great pair of ballet slippers is a breeze - even if you don’t live in a large city.

Ballet Shoes - Extending the Life

“My shoes are too small!” is the cry from the little ballerina in the hall. Her mom just bought new ballet shoes yesterday it seems. How can she extend the life of these shoes? And how can she avoid having to buy several more pairs this year to keep up with her little dancer’s growing feet?

These are a few tricks to help parents get the most out of their children’s shoes.

• Have your child wear thick socks when trying on new ballet shoes. They can even wear socks with their shoes (studio dress-code permitting) until the shoes get snug and then wear them without socks for the remainder of the life of the shoe.

• Buy a shoe with a good drawstring. If it pulls in nicely, it can be let out at the child’s foot grows. If the drawstring does not pull in the shoe tightly, it is often a sign of a shoe of lesser quality.

• If your child has leather ballet shoes, they can be stretched manually. Take a wooden spoon and place it inside the toe of the shoe. Gently pull back on the shoe while pushing on the spoon. This little trick might help your child get a few more weeks or months out of their shoes.

• Do not let the children wear their shoes outside. Wearing them only at ballet will help with the life of the shoe.

Every hobby has its expenses, but using these simple tips will help you keep your shoe costs down as your child dances their way through life.

Ballet Pointe Shoes

Beginning ballet students look forward to the day when they will advance to ballet pointe shoes. Ballet pointe shoes have an odd shape, but they allow ballet dancers to dance on the very tips of their toes. More advanced ballet dancing requires ballet pointe shoes.

Ballet pointe shoes should not be purchased at a discount store where you wait on yourself, or through the mail. After you have purchased your first pair, and you know exactly what you need, then you may consider ordering ballet pointe shoes through the mail or over the Internet – but that first pair should be fitted by an expert. Visit a shop that sells ballet pointe shoes, or ask your instructor for advice.

Arrive for your fitting prepared. What will you wear with your ballet pointe shoes? If stockings will be worn, make sure that you wear stockings for the fitting. It is very important that you try the shoes on in a way that will be identical to how the shoes will be worn. If padding at the point of the shoes will be used, make sure that you bring that padding with you to the fitting as well.

Purchase lightweight ballet pointe shoes. Lighter shoes make getting up on the tips of your toes easier. Price matters a great deal. Depending on how much ballet dancing you do, the type of surface you are dancing on, and the quality of the shoe, your ballet pointe shoes will need to be replaced often. However, do not sacrifice quality for price, and don’t pay too much for shoes that will need to be replaced often.

When you find ballet pointe shoes that work well for you, buy several pairs of the same shoe at one time. In fact, buy as many pairs as you can afford, and save them for later use. You will want to continue to use the same type of pointe shoes when you find the one that works best for you – having those extra pairs will definitely come in handy!

Ballet Shoes

Purchasing a pair of ballet shoes may sound simple, but there is really quite a bit of detail that goes into selecting the perfect pair of ballet shoes. If you are taking ballet classes, your instructors will probably ask you to purchase a specific type of ballet shoes, and possibly even a specific brand and color. They may even tell you what store to go to.

If your instructors have requested that you purchase a specific type of ballet shoes, then you should absolutely purchase those ballet shoes. If they have not specified a certain type of ballet shoe, then your choices are unlimited. If you are taking beginner classes, you need basic ballet shoes, as opposed to pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are for more advanced students – not beginners.

You should select ballet shoes that have real leather soles. Imitation leather doesn’t hold up well. If you are light, leather will work well for you; however, if you are heavier, you may want to consider canvas ballet shoes. Leather soles often stick to the floor, and canvas doesn’t. When you stick to the floor, not only will your ballet shoes wear out faster, but you may also injure yourself.

Find out if your ballet instructor prefers an elastic band or ribbons on the ballet shoes. Elastic bands that are sewn across the top of the shoe are typically preferred for children, while ribbons are usually reserved for recitals, and elastic bands are preferred for practice. Again, find out what the instructor prefers before making this selection.

Also, before making a purchase, put the shoes on and try a few basic ballet steps to see how the shoes feel. Remember that you won’t just be walking in your ballet shoes! If the shoes are rubbing you the wrong way when you do ballet steps, try a different brand or size. Do not assume that you will ‘break them in.’ Ballet shoes are soft and really don’t need to be broken in – and if they fit you correctly they should be quite comfortable.

Discount Ballet Shoes

Ballet shoes are not a one-time purchase for any ballet dancer. In fact, because ballet shoes wear out quickly, most dancers will go through a half-dozen or more pairs of ballet shoes every year. For this reason, discount ballet shoes may be in order. High-quality discount ballet shoes can be purchased easily over the Internet.

First, before you buy discount ballet shoes, you need to know what type of shoes you like best. There is a wide variety of ballet shoes, and you need to choose the ones that are right for you. Visit a dance shop and try on the various shoes, doing some ballet steps in the shoes. Do not purchase the shoes from the store. Just make a note of the brand, design, and size of the shoe, and return home.

With that information, you can start your search for discount ballet shoes on the Internet. Search for that specific brand, and compare prices. Be careful to read the fine print on any site that you purchase from, making sure that you understand the refund and exchange policy. Also look to see if the shoes are discounted for specific reasons, such as imperfections. Discount ballet shoes that are priced low due to imperfections usually are not worth the discount given.

Often, discontinued shoes are offered at a discount price. If this is the case, purchase as many pairs as you can afford, as long as you know that this particular discount ballet shoe will work well for you. Ballet shoes wear out and need to be replaced, and since the shoes are being discontinued, you won’t be able to find them in the future. You need to think carefully about this because if you get used to dancing in a particular ballet shoe, and that shoe is no longer available, you may have a difficult time in selecting a different discount ballet shoe in the future.

What You Should Know About Ballet Shoe

If you have a daughter, there is undoubtedly some point in your life where you will need to purchase ballet shoes. That being said, many boys are choosing to take ballet as well. When it comes to buying ballet shoes you may be completely clueless on what to look for. If you danced yourself, you will have a better idea of what you need. You child’s teacher may also tell you exactly what to get. Some teachers even let you order the shoes right through them, which is very easy on parents. If you are on your own however, you should think about these three qualities to look for when shopping for ballet shoes.

Great Fit

The first thing you should always do is to make your child come along with you. It will be very important that they try the shoes on to ensure that each shoe has a great fit. You will want to use tights when trying on shoes, for socks will provide a completely different fit in the shoe. Check to see if the shoe is snug and secure on your child’s feet. It is important that the shoe offers a snug fit. You won’t want it coming off in the middle of a dance. Many ballet slippers will have a small elastic strap on the shoe that will help keep the shoe in the proper place. When it comes to children, the strap is essential. Be sure that your child dances around in the shoe to be sure it is comfortable for them. Listen to what they are saying and take in their opinion.

Quality Materials

When it comes to shoes, you will need to think about quality. You can pay $5 for the most inexpensive pair you can find, however you will likely be replacing them several times throughout the year if you do so. Pay a little more to get shoes that are made from great materials. You can find leather or suede combination ballet shoes that will last the entire season. Many will have a leather sole, which will be helpful for the wearer to feel the floor properly. Expert ballerinas will tell you that the manner in which your shoe allows you to feel the floor is an important part of dancing well. Some shoes will be hand stitched while others will be factory made. It really doesn’t matter when it comes to a beginning dancer on which to choose. As long as they seem durable and well put together, they should be fine.

Flexible Design

Ballet shoes should be several things, and one of them is flexible. Your ballet shoes should be rather flexible in order to get the best results from your dancing. While some dancers prefer a little more support, most children will need very flexible styles. You should be able to bend the shoe without damaging it in most cases. The more flexible the design, the more comfortable and natural the shoes will feel. In turn, the more natural they feel, the better dancing results. Beginning dancers should not purchase Pointe ballet shoes. Some people get a little confused if they have never danced. Trained ballerinas should only use pointe shoes. So, be sure that you are looking at the right design before you purchase. You can ask your teacher to be sure.

Sizing

Keep in mind when you are shopping that certain types of shoes will fit differently. Even the smallest thing can cause you to need a size smaller or larger. That is why the best thing to do is have the dancer present when shoe shopping. You can also order your shoes online, but be sure to look around at the sizing charts to be sure you are getting the proper size. Many will tell you how to estimate size based on your street shoe size. Some will be the same size as your street shoe size, while others will tell you to order a half size smaller and such. Also be aware of any refund or exchange policies when you purchase, whether you purchase online or locally. You will want to have the opportunity to bring them back if they are incorrect in any way.

The Sacramento Ballet

The Sacramento Ballet was founded in 1954 through the efforts and leadership of Barbara and Deane Crockett, who came to the capital of California from the San Francisco bay area. During Ms. Crockett’s tenure as Company Director, The Sacramento Ballet gained national recognition as one of the finest regional arts companies.  Through community support, the formation of the Ballet Guild, and grants from the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, California Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ballet was able to grow and begin to hire a resident company of professional dancers.  In 1986, having accomplished her goal of making The Sacramento Ballet a professional company, Ms. Crockett retired as the Company Director.

In 1988 Ron Cunningham was engaged as Artistic Director, and was joined by his wife Carinne Binda the following year.  The two became Co-Artistic Directors in 1991, and through their vision and leadership, the company has enjoyed substantial success and is widely recognized as a leading arts organization in Sacramento.  Cunningham and Binda have successfully chosen ballets that balance public appeal with works that stretch and develop the artistic capabilities of the dancers.  The Sacramento Ballet is as well known for Cunningham’s world premieres of such works as Carmina Burana, The Rite of Spring and Bolero as it is for his classics, including The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella.  The Ballet’s audience has had the opportunity to experience a vast repertoire, including works by Septime Webre, David Parsons, Kathryn Posin, Agnes de Mille, Glen Tetley, Val Caniparoli, Trey McIntyre and Twyla Tharp.  In 18 seasons, the Ballet has added 13 full-length ballets, 18 Balanchine masterworks, 36 Sacramento premieres, and 34 world premieres.  The company is highly regarded as a cultural asset to the community and consistently receives outstanding reviews for its artistic quality.

The Sacramento Ballet has taken a leadership role in outreach, education, community service and collaborative projects, and is without question, a leader in arts education and outreach in the greater Sacramento region.  As a professional company, The Sacramento Ballet targets communities through its touring program, traveling throughout the greater Sacramento Valley and as far as Hawaii, Washington, and Victoria, B.C.  Through extensive Education and Outreach programs, the Ballet reaches approximately 40,000 participants each season.

The Sacramento Ballet has received annual funding from corporations, foundations and government agencies to support its operational and artistic growth, including: California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Sacramento Regional Foundation, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Council, The James Irvine Foundation, Target Stores, Raley’s Stores and the McClatchy Company to name a few.  Since 1986, the company’s operating budget has grown steadily, and audience attendance has increased from 15,000 to over 80,000 each season. The Ballet remains the only Sacramento arts organization with a resident company of artists.

 
The mission of The Sacramento Ballet is to operate a professional resident ballet company for the Sacramento region with performances of the highest quality.  The artistic vision of the Ballet is dedicated to developing and sustaining an informed, enthusiastic and broad-based audience for dance and the performing arts, while increasing accessibility to the arts for the entire community.  The Sacramento Ballet’s Education and Outreach efforts have focused on working with students who are educationally at risk, and on providing encouragement, enrichment, and role models to Sacramento’s youth.  The purpose of the Ballet has always been to entertain, educate, inspire, and engage audiences through the powerful vehicle of dance.

Boston Ballet

Boston Ballet, founded in 1963 by E. Virginia Williams, was the first professional repertory ballet company in New England. Under the leadership of Artistic Directors Violette Verdy (1980-1984), Bruce Marks (1985-1997), and Anna-Marie Holmes (1997-2000), the Ballet’s national and international reputation has grown. The Company is now one of the major ballet companies in North America and among the top companies in the world. Current Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen was selected to lead Boston Ballet in September 2001. Under his exceptional artistic direction, Boston Ballet presents choreography of the highest caliber and offers great variety in repertoire, allowing dancers to grow in new directions. In 2002, Valerie Wilder was appointed the Company’s new executive director, establishing an outstanding leadership team with Nissinen to carry the Company into the future.

Throughout its history, Boston Ballet has been a pioneer. In 1979, Boston Ballet opened the Nervi Festival in Italy, and in 1980 was the first American dance company to perform in the People’s Republic of China. The Company made its London premiere in 1981, with a full-length production of Swan Lake. In 1983, Boston Ballet presented Don Quixote on Broadway with Rudolf Nureyev as special guest artist, after touring the United States, Mexico, France, and Italy. The Company collaborated with choreographer Mark Morris for the first time in 1986, performing his Mort Subite at the PepsiCo Festival in Purchase, New York. The following year Boston Ballet was the first ballet company to perform at the prestigious BESSIE Dance and Performance award ceremony at City Center in New York. Boston Ballet was the first major dance company to commission works from contemporary choreographers Mark Morris, Susan Marshall, Ralph Lemon, and Elisa Monte. 

In May 1990, Natalia Dudinskaya and Konstantin Sergeyev, along with then-artistic director Anna-Marie Holmes, staged a new production of Swan Lake featuring Boston Ballet dancers performing the leading roles with dancers from The Kirov Ballet and The Bolshoi Ballet. This historic production attracted international attention and brought Boston Ballet to the forefront of the international dance scene. In recent years the Company has added Michael Corder’s award-winning Cinderella, the American premiere of Le Corsaire, and John Cranko’s Onegin and The Taming of the Shrew to its repertoire.

The Company made a triumphant debut at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in January 1990. In July 1991, Boston Ballet toured throughout Spain.

Boston Ballet’s primary performing venue is the 3,600-seat Wang Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts, where the Company performs six programs each season. Boston Ballet’s month-long production of The Nutcracker, updated in 1995 with new scenery, attracts an annual attendance of more than 120,000 people. It is the most widely attended ballet production in the world. 

Boston Ballet is committed to maintaining a repertoire that combines timeless classics such as The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet, with the imaginative visions of today’s most innovative choreographers. To preserve the integrity of the classics, the Company invites legendary dancers and choreographers to assist with staging and coaching, thus assuring that their talents and experiences are handed down through the generations. 

The Company does much more than just offer performances. Boston Ballet operates an affiliate school with more than 2,000 students; in addition to dance classes for ages 3 through 21, the Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education offers numerous educational and outreach activities for the community. Programs include Boston Ballet School, Education and Outreach, Young Dancers’ Summer Workshop, Summer Dance Program, Citydance, Taking Steps, Dance Lab, and Adaptive Dance. Every year Boston Ballet performs three special The Nutcracker matinees for nearly 12,000 school children.
 
The Company’s headquarters at 19 Clarendon Street in Boston’s South End neighborhood is one of the largest and best-equipped dance spaces in the country. Designed by renowned architect Graham Gund, this five-story, 60,000-square-foot building is an important hub for dance in New England.
 
The Company’s achievements, coupled with the generous and prestigious support of numerous local and national funding sources, have dramatically strengthened Boston Ballet’s position as a world-class ballet company within the local, national, and international arts communities. Boston Ballet celebrates this special season with six dazzling programs that pay tribute to the Company’s past while reaching forward to the future.

Here we go again… en pointé

Hi girls!

First of all, I really love this site and all of the advice I get from you
My question: I’ve been through 1st class when I was 12 and now I’ve been again through the same class (I’m 21 now). So, I want to keep going and continue in September, but since I’ve already had 2 years of ballet class, I’m really eager to start en pointé. The problem is, I’m in a “hobby ballet class”, not a professional one, so I’m kinda shy about asking my new teacher if she could teach me en pointe, or at least put me into a class where they do it. I’m afraid she’d just laugh at me and remind me that we’re not training to become professional dancers…

But I’m really dying to learn it, ballet is my everything.

Please help!

Sabina, 21, from Slovenia

The New York City Ballet