There are many myths about the world of dance that fly around and confuse dancers and non-dancers alike. I will list some of the myths that I hear most often and tell you what the truth really is.
1. I can go en pointe in my flat ballet slippers. While you may be able to force your toes to support your weight for a moment, your flat ballet slippers are not meant to allow you to go all the way up onto full pointe. The highest you should go is up to demi pointe, which is standing on the ball of your foot with your toes flat and your heel raised. If you attempt to stand on your toes, the shoe will not be supporting you, and you could easily slip and break a toe or worse. Pointe shoes are made of a hard material that does allow you to stand "on your toes". This material is much sturdier than what flat shoes are made of, so wait until your teacher says you are ready for the real deal before you stand all the way en pointe.
2. Pointe shoes are made of wood, metal, or plastic. On the outside, pointe shoes are made of satin. The outer sole is made of leather or imitation leather. When most people claim that pointe shoes are made of wood, metal, or plastic, they are referring to the toe box. They believe that a very hard material forms the box so it can support a dancer as she works en pointe. It is true that a hard material forms the box, but on most shoes, that hard material is basically papier mache. Pieces of fabric (like burlap) are dipped in paste and layered to form the box, which is covered in satin before the shoe is finished. It is true that some shoes have parts that are wood, metal, or plastic. Some shoes have shanks made of thin layers of flexible balsa wood. Some shoes have tiny nails that hold the shank to the outer sole. Some shoes, like Gaynor Mindens and Sanshas, have plastic components in their shanks.
3. You have to be skinny to dance. You absolutely do not have to be skinny to dance. In order to dance, you must simply be able to move your body. Even people in wheelchairs enjoy dancing. Most recreational dance programs will take all students who wish to learn and participate. In order to dance professionally, you must be fit enough to perform demanding choreography and, depending on the style of dance and specific company, you must be able to fit into costumes and be partnered. This does not mean you have to be "skinny," but it does mean that as a professional, you generally should be trim and fit for your body type.
4. I should buy all of my child's dancewear, including shoes, a size big to accommodate growing room. Most dancewear needs to fit tightly to the body so the child can move easily and the teacher can see the shape of the child's body in order to correct placement. For very young children, it is ok to have a little growing room in dancewear and shoes, but never so much "growing room" that the clothes are downright baggy or that the shoes are ready to fall off. For older children (8 and up), teens, and adults, there should be minimal extra room in clothing and shoes should fit snuggly to the foot. This creates a more aesthetically pleasing line to the foot and body, and it makes it easier to dance without clothing and shoes moving around.
5. If I don't go professional, I have to quit dance when I graduate from high school. This is absolutely not true. If you plan to go to college or start working in your hometown, your studio may let you continue dancing in your current level. If you move to another town for college or work, take a look at the local studios. You might have to call around to see what they offer for your age and level, but you will probably find some studios that offer you opportunities to dance with high school and college age dancers, or in an adult class at your level. Don't underestimate local and community dance companies. They usually cater to kids and teens still in school, but they often rely on older and more advanced dancers to carry the more difficult parts in the shows they produce. You may find a great position with one of these companies that keeps you dancing at a high level.
6. I can't put my son in dance classes because it is not a masculine activity. While dance does seem like more of a girls' sport (that's right, it is a sport), male dancers are common and necessary. If you watch a professional performance like a ballet, you will notice that the male dancers are not executing the same movements as the female dancers. The men perform more athletic movements, and their styles are rarely the same as the flowy and feminine look exuded by the women. Most male dancers have to develop impressive strength, muscle tone, and aerobic health to succeed as professionals. Even though most kids in dance class are little girls, what male dancers actually do is very masculine. Most dance programs that prepare students for professional work are dedicated to working with male students separately to ensure they learn the specifics of what it takes to be a strong male dancer.
1. I can go en pointe in my flat ballet slippers. While you may be able to force your toes to support your weight for a moment, your flat ballet slippers are not meant to allow you to go all the way up onto full pointe. The highest you should go is up to demi pointe, which is standing on the ball of your foot with your toes flat and your heel raised. If you attempt to stand on your toes, the shoe will not be supporting you, and you could easily slip and break a toe or worse. Pointe shoes are made of a hard material that does allow you to stand "on your toes". This material is much sturdier than what flat shoes are made of, so wait until your teacher says you are ready for the real deal before you stand all the way en pointe.
2. Pointe shoes are made of wood, metal, or plastic. On the outside, pointe shoes are made of satin. The outer sole is made of leather or imitation leather. When most people claim that pointe shoes are made of wood, metal, or plastic, they are referring to the toe box. They believe that a very hard material forms the box so it can support a dancer as she works en pointe. It is true that a hard material forms the box, but on most shoes, that hard material is basically papier mache. Pieces of fabric (like burlap) are dipped in paste and layered to form the box, which is covered in satin before the shoe is finished. It is true that some shoes have parts that are wood, metal, or plastic. Some shoes have shanks made of thin layers of flexible balsa wood. Some shoes have tiny nails that hold the shank to the outer sole. Some shoes, like Gaynor Mindens and Sanshas, have plastic components in their shanks.
3. You have to be skinny to dance. You absolutely do not have to be skinny to dance. In order to dance, you must simply be able to move your body. Even people in wheelchairs enjoy dancing. Most recreational dance programs will take all students who wish to learn and participate. In order to dance professionally, you must be fit enough to perform demanding choreography and, depending on the style of dance and specific company, you must be able to fit into costumes and be partnered. This does not mean you have to be "skinny," but it does mean that as a professional, you generally should be trim and fit for your body type.
4. I should buy all of my child's dancewear, including shoes, a size big to accommodate growing room. Most dancewear needs to fit tightly to the body so the child can move easily and the teacher can see the shape of the child's body in order to correct placement. For very young children, it is ok to have a little growing room in dancewear and shoes, but never so much "growing room" that the clothes are downright baggy or that the shoes are ready to fall off. For older children (8 and up), teens, and adults, there should be minimal extra room in clothing and shoes should fit snuggly to the foot. This creates a more aesthetically pleasing line to the foot and body, and it makes it easier to dance without clothing and shoes moving around.
5. If I don't go professional, I have to quit dance when I graduate from high school. This is absolutely not true. If you plan to go to college or start working in your hometown, your studio may let you continue dancing in your current level. If you move to another town for college or work, take a look at the local studios. You might have to call around to see what they offer for your age and level, but you will probably find some studios that offer you opportunities to dance with high school and college age dancers, or in an adult class at your level. Don't underestimate local and community dance companies. They usually cater to kids and teens still in school, but they often rely on older and more advanced dancers to carry the more difficult parts in the shows they produce. You may find a great position with one of these companies that keeps you dancing at a high level.
6. I can't put my son in dance classes because it is not a masculine activity. While dance does seem like more of a girls' sport (that's right, it is a sport), male dancers are common and necessary. If you watch a professional performance like a ballet, you will notice that the male dancers are not executing the same movements as the female dancers. The men perform more athletic movements, and their styles are rarely the same as the flowy and feminine look exuded by the women. Most male dancers have to develop impressive strength, muscle tone, and aerobic health to succeed as professionals. Even though most kids in dance class are little girls, what male dancers actually do is very masculine. Most dance programs that prepare students for professional work are dedicated to working with male students separately to ensure they learn the specifics of what it takes to be a strong male dancer.
