Help! My teacher doesn’t like the pointe shoes I was fit in!

So you were fit in pointe shoes at a dancewear store.  Then you showed them to your teacher (hopefully unworn and unsewn).  Good for you.  That’s something you should always do when you change to a new pointe shoe.  Then your teacher delivered the news:  She doesn’t like them. 

Unfortunately this happens sometimes.  In this post, I will outline what to do if your ballet teacher does not like the pointe shoes you were fit in.

1.  Ask your teacher what about the shoes she does not like and write this information down or store it in your phone.  Sometimes teachers are partial to certain brands, shapes, types of ribbon and elastic, etc.  It is totally ok for teachers to have opinions like this, but as professionals they need to know that their favorites do not necessarily work for everyone.  Ask your teacher if she thinks your pointe shoes are unsafe or harmful for you to wear.  If she says yes, plan on returning them.  If she says no, ask if you can keep this pair for now and try a different option next time.  If you can keep this pair, make sure you remember what your teacher doesn’t like about them so it can be corrected in your next pair.

2.  If you need to return your shoes, check the store’s return policy.  Each policy varies, but usually pointe shoes can be returned in original condition with the box and receipt within a few days of purchase. (If you drove from out of town for your fitting, call the store and ask what they would like you to do in terms of a return.  Many locally owned stores are forgiving and may extend the date on the return policy so you have time to make another trip.)  Most fitters are willing to re-fit a shoe that a teacher has disapproved, but remember that fitters are human and may feel hurt that their fitting wasn’t “good enough.”  Be kind when you are explaining that you need a refit, and show the fitter the information you got from your teacher about what needs to be changed. 

3.  If the fitter has any difficulty with the refit (either personal/attitude or with physically finding a better shoe), try to call your teacher during the fitting.  You can talk to her or have the fitter talk to her so that everyone understands what is going on.  You can also ask to speak to the store manager, owner, or a more experienced fitter (if there is one).  If there are difficulties, remember that as the dancer it is not your fault.  Do not settle for a shoe that does not work for you.

4.  If the fitter is still unable to find a better shoe, re-schedule your fitting for a time when your teacher can come with you and actually see the shoes on your feet.  If you leave a fitting without a shoe, most stores charge a fitting fee but will refund it later if you come back and purchase a shoe.  Be prepared for this; it is the store’s way of paying employees for their time spent fitting.

5.  Hopefully you will find a shoe when you have your fitting with your teacher.  If things are still not going well with this fitting, work with the fitter and your teacher to find the most “okay” shoe for you right now, and be prepared to look at other options such as taking a weekend trip to the next town to get fit elsewhere.

6.  Once you find a shoe that you and your teacher both like, make sure you know exactly what it is (write down the brand, model, size, width, and all specifications so you can find it in stores or online).  If you go through puberty, gain or lose weight, or become pregnant, expect your feet to change.  You will probably need to change pointe shoes at least 2 or 3 times over the course of your time as a ballet student.  Continue to work closely with your teachers and fitters to always find the best shoe for you.

7.  If your teacher seems unreasonably picky about your pointe shoes and puts you through a fitting ordeal multiple times even when you and the fitter are happy with your shoes and feel confident that you are safe, consider working with a different teacher or at a different studio.  Some teachers are “stuck in the past” and think that everyone needs to be in a Capezio Pavlova when Capezio Pavlovas are not ideal shoes for all dancers.  This kind of inflexible thinking is not professional, and it does not help dancers work their hardest to become professionals themselves (which, after all, is what dance teachers are supposed to do). 

8.  If a fitter repeatedly pushes a shoe on you that both you and your teacher don’t like, don’t work with that fitter anymore.  Fitters usually receive in depth training on pointe shoe safety and fitting, but sometimes that is overshadowed by sales training.  Your safety and satisfaction should be the fitter’s main goals.  Unfortunately, bad fitters are out there, just like bad teachers.

For dancers who work or go to school full time

When you spend 8 hours a day sitting and working your brain, your body can feel a little stiff when it’s time for you to dance in class or rehearsal.  Here are some tips to keep you moving so that it isn’t such a tough transition from your school or work day to your time dancing.

1.  Eat and drink well throughout the day.  Pack fruits and veg as snacks, and make sure your lunch contains a balance of carbs and protein.  Even if you sit most of the time at school or work, you need plenty of energy to do well in dance class.  You won’t feel or perform your best if you eat only a tiny salad or fill up on vending-machine fare.  Drinking water, tea, coffee (in moderation), and 100% fruit and vegetable juice helps keep you hydrated.  Cutting your fluids can keep you from having to use the bathroom during the day, but doing so will make you feel weak and dry later.

2.  Move!  Make sure you get up and walk around during every possible break.  If you have a moment between classes or time between meetings, do some basic standing stretches (the bathroom is a great place to do this too). 

3.  Practice good posture.  Always sit up straight, no matter what you are working on.  Doing this will strengthen your back muscles and make you automatically move with grace and strong stage presence.  You can use ergonomic aids like lumbar supports or seat cushions that encourage good posture.

4.  Pre-pack your dancewear and other supplies.  If you need to head to class or rehearsal straight from school or work, make sure your dancewear and supplies (shoes, exercise bands, etc.) are packed and ready to go.  Know what pieces look good together so you can quickly grab dancewear and throw it in your bag.  Take your dance bag into work or school with you if you can; don’t just leave it in the car.  Very hot and very cold temperatures are not good for the longevity of some items (like pointe shoes).

5.  If you have long hair, don’t wear it to school or work in a pre-done in a tight updo every day.  It stresses hair less if it is worn down, which prevents breakage and hair loss.  It’s fine to wear a bun to school once a week on the day you have a super-quick turnaround, but if you know you will have time when you get to the studio, just pack hair supplies in a small pouch.

6.  Cross train if you can.  Take some time to hit the gym, go for a hike, or do some swimming.  This will keep your body strong and conditioned.  Though dance is excellent exercise, it's not always great for improving aerobic health or strengthening the arm muscles.

7.  Take care of your body through regular maintenance appointments and at-home pampering.  Go for check-ups at the doctor, and make appointments to have all injuries examined.  Visiting a chiropractor or massage therapist can really help your body feel better if you feel stiff from sitting at school or work.  Take regular bubble baths and use a foam roller or tennis ball to roll out sore muscles.

Online resources for dancers

All dancers need places to explore information about technique, trends, and upcoming dance events.  The internet is a great place to start when researching anything about the dance community.  I strive to make my blog one of these resources, and here are some more good ones to look at.

**Note: most of these are related to ballet, since that is my main style of dance.

1.  The website of your local dancewear store.  For me, that is http://www.nmdancewear.com/ since I live in Albuquerque and my local store is New Mexico Dancewear.  Many local dancewear stores have information about the products they carry, as well as info about upcoming events in the local dance sphere.

2. Discount Dance Supply: http://www.discountdance.com/index.php  Even if you don't shop online, Discount Dance is amazing to use as a resource.  Most of the products they sell have reviews attached to them, so you can see what other dancers think of specific products before you buy them.  You can also find the specific style numbers to all the products sold on their main pages on Discount Dance.  If you need to place a special order with your local dancewear store, you will most likely need the specific style number of the item you need.  If you follow Discount Dance on Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram, you can see fashion picks and technique tips from the professional dancers who model most of the items on the website.

3.  YouTube.  Specifically check out these channels:

Kathryn Morgan .https://www.youtube.com/user/Tutugirlkem Katie Morgan is a professional ballet dancer coming back to the dance world after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  She has an amazing channel dedicated to helping ballet students on the road to going pro.

Twinstalkballet93. https://www.youtube.com/user/twinstalkballet93  This is a channel put together by twin sisters Kirsten and Kelsey, college students and ballet dancers.  They have lots of good advice, as well as tutorials and product reviews.

AnaheimBallet.  https://www.youtube.com/user/AnaheimBallet This is, obviously, the channel of Anaheim Ballet in California.  They have tons of dancer spotlights, as well as technique tips and tutorials.

4.  Magazine websites:

Pointe magazine. http://www.pointemagazine.com/  This is the "ballet Bible" magazine that gives info on fashion, technique, and everything happening in the professional world of Ballet.

Dance magazine. http://www.dancemagazine.com/  This is the site for Dance magazine, which includes many styles of dance like ballet, jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, and more.  Look for dancewear fashion, interviews with pros, and information about auditions.

Dancespirit magazine. http://www.dancespirit.com/  This is very similar to Dance magazine, but with a slightly younger target audience, I think.



Share your favorite dance resource websites in the comments!

First pointe shoes: a guide for parents

This post will explain what parents can expect when their daughters begin pointe for the first time, as well as a list of do’s and don’ts that will help the experience go smoothly.

First thing’s first:  DO let the teacher tell you when your daughter is ready for pointe.  DON’T make that judgment yourself (unless you are her dance teacher), and DON’T rely just on your daughter reporting to you that she is ready.  It is ok to casually ask the dance teacher at what age most students begin pointe work or if she thinks your child will be ready soon.  It is not ok to demand that your daughter be placed in a pointe class.  Although it is rare, I have seen young girls lie to their parents about being ready for pointe shoes.  If this is not information you have been expecting, confirm with the teacher that your child is really ready before purchasing shoes. 

If the teacher says she is ready, DO expect your daughter to be excited out of her mind.

The teacher may ask you to take your daughter to the doctor and/or have her feet and legs x-rayed before getting the shoes.  This is to make sure your child is healthy and strong enough for pointe.  DO schedule an appointment right away.  In about 99% of cases, doctors say that dancers are good to go.  In the unlikely case that the doctor says that pointe is a bad idea, get a second opinion.  If this doc also doesn’t like the idea of your daughter going en pointe, DON’T get pointe shoes.  DO comfort your daughter in her disappointment and help her try contemporary or another dance style that does not use pointe shoes.

DO schedule your daughter a professional pointe shoe fitting at a dancewear store.  DO invite the teacher to come along with you.  DO research pointe shoes on the internet before you have the fitting, but DON’T get carried away.  DON’T purchase pointe shoes online.

DO attend the fitting appointment with your daughter.  DO pay attention and ask questions.  DON’T take over the fitting, speak for your child, or criticize the fitter, even if you have dance expertise.   DO expect to pay $150 or more for pointe shoes, toe pads, ribbon and elastic, stitch kit, and a pointe shoe bag.  DO expect to make such purchases several times a year for the remainder of your child’s dance education.  If you can, DO celebrate your daughter’s achievement with an additional gift like a new fancy leotard or a nice dinner at a restaurant. 

DON’T talk extensively about your daughter’s pointe shoes to other dancers who are not en pointe (or their parents), and encourage your daughter to do the same.  DO answer questions you are asked, and DO show your happiness, but DON’T brag.

DO have your daughter show her pointe shoes to her teacher before sewing or wearing if the teacher didn’t attend the fitting.  DON’T sew your daughter’s pointe shoes for her.  DO check with the teacher to see if she wants students to sew their shoes at home or as a project in class.  DON’T let your daughter go en pointe at home unless the teacher has assigned specific exercises.  DO let her put her feet in her pointe shoes and practice tying her ribbons.  

DON’T be surprised if your daughter doesn’t dance en pointe for a week or so after she gets her shoes.  Many teachers spend time teaching students about pointe shoes in a more academic way.  DON’T be surprised if your daughter only dances en pointe for about 10 minutes per class.  DO know the brand, model, size, width, shank, and other specifications of your daughter’s pointe shoes in case a teacher asks you.  It is a great idea to make a note of this information in your smartphone.

DO expect your daughter to get blisters and experience discomfort in her pointe shoes.  DON’T blame the fitter or teacher for this.  No pointe shoe is “comfortable,” and with a student’s first pair of shoes, it is impossible to know what attributes will work out in the long run.  DO offer Band-Aids, toe tape, and comfort to soothe sore toes.

DON’T expect her to look very graceful en pointe for the first several weeks or pointe class.  DON’T expect your daughter to perform en pointe in a recital or ballet for at least 6 months.  DO congratulate her for reaching small milestones like doing pointework away from the barre for the first time.

DO expect your daughter to wear out or grow out of her pointe shoes within 4-6 months of her first fitting.  DON’T be surprised if the teacher or fitter tells you that she needs a totally different kind of shoe; it is very common for dancers’ feet to change as they grow and strengthen. 

Above all, DO remember to have fun with your daughter on this exciting new adventure!

What makes a dance teacher qualified?

Are you looking for a new private teacher or coach?  Here are some things to look for when finding a good teacher that can help develop a student into a professional dancer.

1.  College degree.  Degrees in dance come in many shapes and forms, and vary from school to school.  Generally a BA or MA in dance means that the teacher has experience and expertise in dance history, criticism, or choreography.  BFA or MFA in dance means that the teacher has experience in performance.  BA in dance pedagogy means that the teacher has experience and expertise in teaching dance.  A BA or MA in arts management or fine arts management (or a minor in fine arts management when paired with a degree in dance) means that the teacher has experience in dance as a business or studio management.

2.  Professional work.  Has the teacher danced professionally as a member of a company?  In a university performance group?  On Broadway or in musicals?  In film or other video work?  In what productions?  For how many years?  What parts did he or she perform? 

3.  Teaching from a syllabus.  Many ballet teachers work from established methods such as Vagonova, Cecchetti, or Balanchine.  Ballroom instructors may teach from the DVIDA syllabus.  Other styles of dance have their own methods.  In general, if a teacher is using a syllabus (correctly), students who learn that syllabus will be comparable to students at other studios also learning that syllabus.

4.  Where are former students now?  Does this teacher have former students that are now working professionally?  This is a huge predictor of how “good” a teacher is, but this information can be hard to come by.

A teacher that has a degree, professional experience, and uses a syllabus is usually a good, qualified teacher.  However, not everyone with a degree in dance pedagogy is a good dancer, and not everyone with professional experience is a good teacher.  Some wonderfully talented and successful dancers, choreographers, and teachers did not attend college.

 When “shopping” for a new teacher or private coach for yourself or an older child, browse a few local studios’ websites and find teachers with at least 2 of the following 3: a degree, experience, and/or a syllabus.  Then meet with the teachers and take class or lesson with each.  If you would like, you may ask the teacher about his or her qualifications (just remember to be pleasant and not accusatory).  After you have done your research, make a decision about who is the best teacher for you.  It is ok if your perfect teacher is different from someone else’s.

            If you are looking for a dance class for a child (or adult) beginning dancer, look more at the                studio reputation than the qualifications of the individual teachers.  Many classes for small                  children or adult beginners are taught by advanced students in high school or college.  These                teachers should do just fine as long as they are patient, kind, experienced dancers, and teaching            from a syllabus.