Introduction to Pointe

Level 1

Danceworks offers progressive ballet courses at four levels.
Level 1: Absolute beginners | Level 2: Beginners | Level 3: Improvers | Level 4: Intermediate

Absolute Beginner Pointe Course  

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 8 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.

Yolandi Biography

South African born Yolandi started her ballet training at age four. From age twelve she was taught  by Martin Schonberg’s Ballet Theatre Afrikan Academy of Dance and attended the National School  of the Arts from 1996-1999. She completed her schooling at Canada’s National Ballet School in  Toronto. In 1998 Yolandi won the Prix de l’association pour de l’Opera National de Paris at the 8th  concours international De Danse de Paris. In 1999, she was a semi-finalist the the Prix de  Lausanne winning her scholarship to train in Canada. In 2001, she participated in the Helsinki  International Ballet Competition and won the South African leg of the International Cecchetti  competition. Later that year she won second prize in the international leg of the same competition  in Melbourne, Australia. She returned to Helsinki in 2005 where she was a semi-finalist at the  Helsinki International Ballet Competition.

In 2000, upon her return to South Africa, she joined the Ballet Theatre Afrikan Company (BTA) as  a principal dancer. Whilst with BTA she toured South Africa performing a number of principal roles  including Paquita, Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty, Grand Pas Classique as well as Odette/Odile  from in Swan Lake.

In 2001 Yolandi became the youngest Giselle ever in South Africa when she appeared as a guest  artist with the South African Ballet Theatre (SABT). She joined SABT in April 2008 as a soloist and  made her debut with the company as Queen of the Dryads. She performed in various other soloist and principal roles during her time in the company which included roles like • Gypsy pas de deux and pas de six in La Traviata,  Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Principal in roles in Giselle as “Giselle”, Odette Odile in Swan Lake.  In 2011 Yolandi started her new venture as a freelance dancer and choreographer in various  festivals and corporate functions.Yolandi also became an aerial artists doing various strength and  silk acts in South Africa, Zambia and Dubai.

Since 2012 Yolandi has focused on preparing students for entry into vocational schools, and  putting them through their dance examinations in the Cecchetti method as well as coaching in the  RAD method and rehabilitating injured dancers with intense body conditioning and floor barre  training. Yolandi has been living in London since 2017 where she was a teacher at the Danceworks  International Ballet Academy and has coached various private students for competitions, exams  and auditions. She has also received her Level 1,2 and 3 qualification in the Progressive Ballet  Technique and teaches regular PBT classes.

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Introduction to pointe

Teacher: Yolandi Moreira

Day: Thursday

Dates: 7th September-26th October 2023

Time: 19:30-21:00

8 weeks

Early bird: £130 (ends 18th august)

Fee: full price £144

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Introduction to pointe

Teacher: Yolandi Moreira

Day: Thursday

Dates: 2nd November- 14th December 2023

Time: 19:30-21:00

7 weeks

Fee: full price £126

Please note that we are unable to offer credit or refunds for unattended classes.