Upcoming course details
DATES: Saturday 6th Sept – 25th Oct
TIME: 14:30-16:00
LEVEL: 3
FEE: £180
&
DATES: Sunday 28th Sep – 16th Nov
TIME: 16:00-17.30
LEVEL: 1
FEE: £180
Pointe courses
Level 1 & 2
Danceworks offers progressive ballet courses at four levels.
While pointe shoes are preferred as classes will be structured around pointe work and foot strengthening, you can attend in ballet shoes as a significant portion will focus on strength building and pre pointe work before the shoes are put on. Your instructors can also give you advice on how to sew and break in your pointe shoes.
Courses Descriptions
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 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.
Pointe for Improvers – Level 2
Suitable for those who have taken a few pointe classes or the Level 1 course and are ready to continue their learning.
The course will cover:
– Simple relevés- Center with arms coordinations (port de bras)
– Releves and échappés in fourth position
– Pas Suivi en tournant
– Temps lie center
– Echappé in fourth position (croise and efface)
– Assamble Soutenu
– Pas échappé en tournant
– Pas jeté fondu
– Small dance at the end
– Repertoire fragments
Level 3
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.
