Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Program - Applications Closed
This program enables dancers to begin this process and journey from a distance, completely remotely!
We offer a full video course that teaches all the pre-pointe exercises and stretches to get on pointe and includes follow-along videos to help you practice on your own. In addition, we offer a Foot 360° Consultation video for guidance and feedback along your journey with your feet. In some cases, we may refer you out to a dance specialist to work with any special circumstances with your feet.
And, the most exciting part - Broche Ballet invites a new cohort of dancers to get their first pair of pointe shoes fully online each year!
Application Process for Beginner Pointe Program
Dancers are invited to get en pointe in cohorted groups so that we can all start from the beginning and work through the skills together. New cohorts are offered approximately twice annually.
To apply, dancers must be injury free, have strong bone density, be over the age of 18, and not be pregnant or expecting to be within the duration of the pointe cohort.
Watch the Overview Below
Step 1: Questionnaire
Let us know about your dance history, confirm your availability for the class schedule for this cohort, and review the expected costs of pointe shoes.
Step 2: Pointe Readiness Self-check
Check out your pointe readiness with our 5-step self-check. This will help give you an idea of your readiness prior to applying. Based on your answers to the self-check and if you are returning to pointe after a long break, you’ll receive guidance and advice on your unique circumstances.
Step 3: Purchase & Submit Video
After the application, if you’re ready to apply, the application fee is $45.
After payment, you will receive instructions on how to film and upload your application video. The application fee is currently waived for dancers who have already completed a Foot 360° Consultation.
Step 4: Receive your Results & Readiness Checklist
All applicants receive a completed Pointe Readiness checklist to show you the areas where you are ready for pointe and the areas that need more improvement.
If you are invited to join the cohort, you will receive materials and instructions about how to purchase shoes, navigate your home setup, and more.
You are invited to use your checklist in conjunction with the Broche Ballet Journey to Pointe Program or with a ballet teacher or physical therapist to enable you to keep practicing in the areas you need additional strength or mobility.
If you are not ready yet, you will be eligible to apply your application cost towards a Foot 360° Consultation to receive video feedback and a practice plan to help you go en pointe. You may also schedule a consultation with Dr. Nina, but the application cost is not applicable to this service.
About the Beginner Pointe Program
Dancers who are approved to join a Beginner Pointe Cohort must commit to attending the program live for the duration of the program. It is not recommended to get en pointe for the very first time with on-demand recorded lessons.
Application Fee:
$45
Note: If you have previously completed a Foot 360° Consultation, this fee is waived for two times through the application process.
16-Week Zoom Program
If accepted, the Fall 2024 Pointe Cohort offers an exclusive, small-group experience, limited to just 15 dancers. The small group size ensures that every dancer receives individualized attention, accountability and support throughout the 16-week journey.
This program is separate from Broche Ballet membership, so you do not need to be a member to join.
All class recordings and access to a private community are included.
This cohort is designed to provide high levels of accountability and personalized support from the start of the process getting shoes through graduation day and the transition into higher level pointe classes.
What’s Included?
- A personalized letter for your pointe shoe fitter with detailed recommendations tailored to your unique foot needs.
- 16 weeks of live Zoom classes (offered twice weekly) to guide you step-by-step through your pointe journey.
- Access to class recordings for review and additional practice whenever you need it.
- A private community led by Julie of fellow cohort dancers for ongoing support, shoe fitting issues, and accountability.
-A certificate of completion to celebrate your success at the end of the program.
Costs of Going en Pointe
Zoom Program Fee (One-time fee):
$400 for Non-members. If you are a Broche Ballet member, the cost of 4 months of your membership will be applied to the fee. For example, if you have an Unlimited $80/month membership, the extra fee to join the Pointe Cohort will be $400 - 4*$80 = $80.
Please note: This fee is non-refundable and non-transferable to future cohorts. If you need to pause your participation, reapplication won’t be required for the next cohort, but the registration fee will be forfeited. If you need to withdraw due to injury or a medical reason, the registration fee can be transferred to a future cohort with a doctor’s note.
We're here to help you succeed, so if there's anything we can do to support you in completing the program, just let us know.
Cost of Pointe Shoes:
Pointe shoes are handmade and have a limited lifespan. For your first pair of pointe shoes, expect to spend around $175, which includes the shoes, padding, ribbons, and elastics. Each subsequent pair will cost about $90-$110. Expect to replace your shoes once during the 16-week program, especially if you attend class more than once per week.
Home Setup Equipment:
For safety and optimal performance, a proper home setup is crucial.
1) Floor
If you have carpeted floors, you'll need a hard surface like a Dot2Dance board (approx. $150).
If you have tile or wood floors, you'll need a vinyl mat, such as a Harlequin Marley mat (approx. $100).
2) Barre
A stable barre is highly recommended. A Vita Barre or similar is approximately $125. We discourage you from joining using a chair, stool, or countertop.
3) Camera
Join with your phone, tablet, or computer camera. Most dancers log into class with two devices: one to place on the floor to give a close-up angle of your feet, and another to keep at eye-level to watch and follow along with the class.
If accepted into the cohort, you'll receive specific instructions on where and how to purchase the necessary equipment.
Live Zoom Schedule for the Fall 2024 Pointe Cohort
The Pointe Cohort runs from October 1st to February 1st, excluding holiday weeks. Our live Zoom classes are scheduled to accommodate various time zones:
- Thursdays: 1:30 - 2:15 pm Eastern Time
- Fridays: 5:45 - 6:30 pm Eastern Time
(Click here for a handy timezone converter)
You are only required to attend once weekly, so there’s no need to join both sessions in a given week. The same material is presented twice to accommodate different timezones and schedules. While attending more than once per week may help you progress faster, one class per week is all that’s needed.
Please note, pointe class is meant to supplement, not replace, your regular ballet technique class. Dancers are expected to continue training consistently, with at least one ballet class in flat shoes per week.
Attendance & commitment
Dancers must join at a minimum once weekly.
Dancers must attend the first entire month live and may not miss these first four classes. We don’t allow dancers to catch up with recorded sessions during this time, as the first weeks are critical to understanding how to work en pointe safely.
After week 5, dancers may miss up to 3 total live classes and catch up with recorded classes.
If more classes are missed, the dancer may be at risk of injury to jump back in, as this is a progressive class that. builds up strength and skill over the weeks. In this case, the dancer may be safe enough to keep up with recorded videos or may need to wait until the next cohort in order to continue safely.
The program is progressive and pointework requires us to build strength and stamina in a consistent and methodical manner.
Graduation certificate!
If the dancers attends 13 out of the 16 weeks of the program live, you will receive a completion certificate to celebrate your accomplishment! At this point, most dancers are ready to join a beginner pointe class in their local studio.
If a dancer attended fewer classes, they are invited to repeat a future cohort to earn their completion certificate. Broche Ballet only recommends dancers join another pointe class after earning the completion certificate.
Beginner Pointe 16-week Curriculum
Concepts
Ankle alignment in pointe shoes for proper placement on the box/platform
Toe usage in shoes, when to point, when to elongate, how to use toes to lower off of pointe
How to articulate and manipulate the pointe shoes with your feet
How to “pull up” ankles, knees and hips for strong & steady pointework
Steps (2 hands on the barre)
Prances & rises in parallel with full articulation through 3/4 pointe
Élevés & rélevés in 1st position with full articulation through 3/4 pointe
Tendu & pas de cheval with full shoe articulation & shape
Sur le coup de pied, coup de pied, retiré positions in pointe shoes
Sus-sous (both moving to the back foot AND spring/scoop sus-sous)
Pas de bourrée
Plié en pointe
Rélevé coup de pied & passé (from 1st & from 5th)
Échappé to 2nd position
Piqué ballonné
Single leg rélevé
Bourrée
Skills
Balance in 1st position & sus-sous
16 Échappé with light grip on the barre or criss cross hands
4 Rélevé passé with light grip on the barre or criss cross hands
8 Rélevé in 1st position next to the barre but not holding on
Able to dance with straight knees & over the box enough to stay up on 1 leg
For hypermobile dancers, the ability to roll down from pointe on 1 leg without help from shoulders at the barre
Not ready to apply, but looking for feedback?
We also offer a Foot 360° Consultation which will provide you with in-depth feedback & practice plan for your journey to pointe. Compare services below.
