Broche Ballet Beginner Pointe Program - Next Cohort Begins Fall 2024
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 - a few times each year, Broche Ballet invites a new cohort of dancers to get their first pair of pointe shoes fully online!
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 $30.
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.
Beginner Pointe Cohort Commitment
Beginner pointe classes are included as part of the Unlimited Live + On-Demand membership.
Dancers who are approved to join a Beginner Pointe Cohort must commit to attending the program live and join the online studio with an Unlimited Membership for the duration of the program. It is not recommended to get en pointe for the very first time with on-demand recorded lessons.
Timeline Winter 2024 (APPLICATIONS CLOSED):
Applications open January 4 - 14
Application replies received - January 19
Prepare shoes and proper flooring + barre home setup
16-week Program Meets - February 6 - June 15! (Skipping March 23 & 26; Skipping April 27 & 30; Skipping May 25 & 28)
Costs:
$30 - Application Fee
Broche Ballet Unlimited Membership x4 months
Pointe Shoes - Approximately $150-$200
Marley Flooring - Approximately $150
Barre - Approximately $150
Time Commitment:
Pointe Class live zoom schedule
The live online Zoom class schedule will be:
Tuesday's 1:20-2:30 pm Eastern Time
Saturday’s 11 - 11:50 am Eastern Time
Click here for an easy timezone converter
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.
