Absolute Beginner Pointe Course (level 1)
Starting pointe classes always seem like a daunting task to anyone that has never attempted it, but with the right training and strengthening exercises it should be a fun and positive experience. This is exactly what you can expect with the Danceworks Absolute Beginner Pointe course. If you have always wanted to attempt going on pointe or have done it in your youth but is in need of a good refresher, then this is an ideal opportunity to do so. The course will run over a period of ten weeks, where you get to work with the same teacher and with the same group of dancers throughout. The course is designed to build the strength in the ankles and lower legs to go onto pointe safely and with ease. You will be carefully monitored throughout to make sure you are using the correct muscles.
What you can expect to learn in the Absolute Beginner pointe Course:
All barre exercises will be done with two hands on the barre for added support. – Warm up exercises for feet and ankles
– Simple relevés onto pointe on two feet
– Correct alignment of the feet and body to achieve solid balances on two feet – Mobility in the ankles to be able to fully get onto pointe
– Articulation of the feet to ensure correct rolling on and off pointe
– Sousous
– Echappé
– Change of weight from one foot to another
– Temps lié onto pointe at the barre and in the centre
– Bourrees
It is advised that you go for a professional pointe shoe fitting at a ballet shop, where you will get a pair of shoes that are suited to your feet. A proper fitting shoe is crucial for your training and to avoid injuries. Clothing should be comfortable but tight enough for the teacher to check body alignment.
Improvers Pointe Course (level 2)
The Improvers Pointe Course is perfect for any dancer that has had an introduction to pointe work and feels confident to improve their range of pointe vocabulary. The course will run over a period of ten weeks where you will be working with the same teacher and the same group of dancers. This will create a familiar environment where your progression will be carefully monitored and will give you the confidence to try new, more complicated enchainments. There will be a massive focus placed on getting you to go onto pointe with less support at the barre, so that there can be an easy transition into doing more complicated steps in centre work.
What you can expect to learn in the Improver Pointe Course:
Barre exercises using the vocabulary you learnt at a beginner level, but using one hand on the barre.
– Warm up exercises for feet and ankles
– Simple relevés combinations onto pointe on two feet and on one foot
– Correct alignment of the feet and body to achieve solid balances on two feet and on one foot – Improving mobility of the ankles to get onto pointe fully
– Articulation of the feet to ensure correct rolling on and off pointe on two feet and on one foot – Posé combinations
– Embouette
– Temps lié onto pointe
– Pas de Bourree Pique
Centre work
– Temps lié onto pointe
– Relevé combinations
– Posé combinations
– Introduction to petit tours
– Bourree
It is advised that you go for a professional pointe shoe fitting at a ballet shop, where you will get a pair of shoes that are suited to your feet. A proper fitting shoe is crucial for your training and to avoid injuries. Clothing should be comfortable but tight enough for the teacher to check body alignment.
Our Ballet Courses are carefully constructed to allow you to develop your ballet skills at a suitable pace. This will ensure that you will avoid injuries and will feel very confident to progress to a more challenging level after the completion of the ten weeks of classes. Our team at Danceworks are all very qualified teachers that have a massive amount of experience and will make sure that you feel satisfied in your progression in ballet while having loads of fun
