How long until i can begin doing pointe?

Question

I have just started ballet and since i am 13 years old they put me in grade 2. Does anyone know how long it will take until i can begin dancing en pointe and how long it will take to complete this grade and any others.

Answer 1

Dancing en pointe needs strong ankles and feet with muscles built up through many years of dance. Even if you have really strong feet, it will be at least 5 years before you can start.

Because you are starting late, it is possible to do the lower grades faster than a younger child because you are more mature but if you have no dance or ballet before, it might be a while before you grasp the technique.Also, if you are happy with a pass, you could do the exam quicker than if you wanted a distinction (referring to RAD) but I would say at least 9 months to a year.

Once you have grasped the technique, any other lower grades COULD be taken sooner but only if you have a natural aptitude for dance

Remember, the grades aren't important, the fun IS!!!

Answer 2

It really really depends on your ability and the school you go to. I would have to say, without ever seeing you or meeting your teacher, you would expect to wait 2 years at least to go en pointe.

This is for a number of reasons. Firstly, you need to build up good strength and technique, which can not be learned in merely 6 months.

Secondly, people in grade 2 generally are not put en pointe (this depends on your school.) People go en pointe in grade 4 or 5 usually, but pointe is not even a requirement in any grade until pre elementary and up (the grade after grade 5.) So it depends on your school.

As for completing grade 2, are you taking the exam? I don't know your schools policy on this. Generally speaking, students move up 1 grade a year, until they get to more advanced grades where it takes a little longer. This again depends on your ability and your school.

Hope I helped! Remember, ballet is beautiful in flats as well as pointes. I advise talking to your teacher about your conerns.

Answer 3

It really depends on your studio and when they think you're ready. you have to have really strong ankles and proper technique. my studio usually says after two years of ballet (and hour class). i started after one year of ballet though.

Answer 4

Well at my studio they make you take ballet, then pre pointe. when your muscles are strong enough and they know that your not going to injure yourself they will put you on. if i were you id just show the teachers that your strong enough, in class at barre and stuff like that dont complain or show that it hurts.

Answer 5

it depends on your studio.

my friends studio, you have to audition for company to get pointe.

because of your type of ballet (based on grades) some studios say grade one, some say grade 3, so you will have to ask your instructor, since all pointe needs instructor permission and a doctors note.

Answer 6

at my dance studio, they say you need 4 years of ballet to start poointe, but if u try REALLY hard u could probably star w/ about 2 years of pointe, and yer a little older than most dance beginners so good luck and keep dancin!

hope this helped! =)

Answer 7

Great question.♥

That's not really a question of time but of many other factors.  Usually a good, professional studio waits at LEAST 2 years until putting a dancer en pointe.  That's not to say in two years you'll get your pointe shoes.  It's also a matter of strength.  You need to be impeccably strong in your ankles, arches, and core.  I have some great excersises that can push you to pointe; feel free to contact me if you're interested.

In general, you need to be very strong in the abdominal muscles, lats, and feet.  Specifically, in your feet, you need to be strong in almost every part; your arches, your ankles, your inner arches, your upstage arch, and your downstage arches.

When a teacher looks to see if you're ready for pointe, they usually see if you can go on 3/4 pointe.  That means that in relevé*, you're not only on the balls of your foot, but even past that.  You're not quite completely over on top of your toes, but not quite on the balls of your feet either.  They also look for ankle strength and strong balance.  They see if your basic technique (such as barre work: tendu*, grand battement*, etc.; as well as basic centrework: at least a double pirrouette*, saut de chats*, etc.) is strong.  If you can't do certain things en flat (in regular shoes), how can the teacher expect you to be ready to do them en pointe (in pointe shoes)?

Hopefully this helped you.  Feel free to contact me for further details, for those excersises, or if you have further questions.♥

*If you're not sure of these dance terms yet, see this very helpful website from ABT:

http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/...

Answer 8

I started when i was 3 and i got pointe shoes when i was 12. Pointe takes a ton of strength in your feet and ankles. Also it takes a lot of practice. and determination. and pointe is kinda painful, but i am sure if you work really hard you will get them eventually.