starting pointe? and ballet classes?

Well you should definitely tell your teacher (constantly) that you want to start pointe. You really need to also show her you are ready. Stand in the front of the class, be that A+ dancer you are.

I would say 3 classes a week would be the minimum. Maybe you could get a small job, or do chores around the house that will allow you to help pay for your classes.

Pointe shoes aren't as glamourous as it all seems. Make sure for your first pair of pointes you get fitted by a professional and do your research before you go.

There is a lot of great beginner pointe info here:

http://www.dance.net/read.html?postid=2899891&page...

Feel free to ask more questions if you have them! Good Luck!

I see this is your 4th question about when you could go on pointe. In your first question, you reveal that, although you're 13, you've only been taking ballet for over a year. Many people have already responded by saying that age, alone, is not sufficient, as a) your feet and ankles have to get strong enough to do pointe, and b) only your teacher can determine when you're ready. That means no private, at-home tests, and not going out and buying pointe shoes on your own and trying to practice in them at home. But you're just picking the "best answers" according to what you want to hear and not even listening to what the majority are telling you.

It's really great that you are you so excited to excel at ballet, but you do realize, don't you, that your chances of getting sound, professional advice on Yahoo! Answers is a crap shoot? Since it seems as though you don't want to listen to the sound advice you ARE managing to get over here, I urge you to check out a message board with real professional dancers and teachers, called "Ballet Talk for Dancers."

http://dancers.invisionzone.com/index.php?

That board will let you post responses back and forth in an ongoing thread so that if you are skeptical about an answer, you can follow up and ask for clarification. The moderators are also happy to reveal their professional qualifications. Members can be anonymous and 13 year olds (and up) from around the world are welcome (as long as they can write in English).

You owe it to yourself to get the best information, don't you?

Babyballet, Read Janine_rs . Her answer is spot on .I could not say it any better. Nobody but your teacher will know when you have enough strength in your feet and correct technique to enable you to go en pointe.

Most properly trained dancers take many many years before they can advance to pointe work.

At a good ballet shoe supply shop they should not even sell you pointe shoes unless you can demonstrate proficient instep strength.

Maybe your teacher also is forgetting you asking to avoid having to tell you that you are no where near ready for pointe work yet.

If you have only been taking ballet for a year...I wouldn't go on pointe. It's pretty dangerous if your ankles and feet aren't strong enough. I danced for 10 years before they let me on pointe.

Just tell your teacher causually that you can't wait to start pointe. I think this will spark her memory. As for pointe make sure you streach out your ankles and toes. USE TAPE. It kills otherwise. Good luck!

P.S. as for your parents tell them when you become a famous dancer that you will repay them for the lessons.

first rule of dancing: DO NOT PUSH UR MADAME/INSTRUCTOR/TEACHER!!! lol. very dangerous. you can ask a parent to bring it up. or you can start another class somewhere else where they'll start you on pointe. and if you're parents can't afford it they can't afford it. stick with the few classes you have or find another place where you can take more for less. its frustrating but you're lucky to take multiple classes. when you're supporting yourself you'll understand and hopefully you'll be able to afford it.

good luck!