The Pointe Is...

Grace's First Pointe Shoes

Photo by Bgrace

A dancer's first pointe shoes are a major right of passage.  I did not know these things before last year.  The world of dance is all new to me.  When Grace started her pre-pointe class this year, Shari (SDC's owner and one of Grace's teacher's) explained to Grace that she couldn't go "on pointe" until her legs were very straight and her releve was really good.  Shari explained to me that it was important for Grace's muscles to be strong and her alignment straight before she would be ready.  (Here is an interesting link with more info.) 

Grace worked really hard.  I was so proud of her, she was the only girl in her class who didn't have pointe shoes and she didn't complain once.  When Shari told her she was ready for pointe last week she was ecstatic. 

Grace's school had a recital on Saturday and we needed to pick up a pair of leggings. So on Friday I took her and her friend Jade and told her we would at least get her fitted for her shoes.  That fitting took almost 2 hours.  

Finding the right shoe is a very interesting process.  There are so many factors involved.  Grace has never worn pointe shoes before, so she doesn't know how they are supposed to feel.  This is complicated by the fact that each dancer has to decide what kind of feel they are looking for.  Then you have the fact that every make of shoe is different and fits each dancer differently.  On top of which even Grace's own two feet are different.  Then there are the toe pads.  The toe pads can make just as much difference in the fit of the shoe as anything, and there are many different kinds.  

A pointe shoe is not a shoe that you can buy with the idea of growing into.  It must fit perfectly or it could cause injury.  An unfortunate factor considering Grace's feet are still growing.  

Grace finally found a pair she really liked.  After that, every shoe she tried was compared to that fit and feel.  I thought maybe she would change her mind, but she really liked the Grishkos, and stuck with them.  

Once she had settled on her shoes and toe pads the store owner sat down with me and explained how I would have to sew on the ribbons and the elastic for Grace.  I am not a very good seamstress, (Mom,this might be the excuse you needed to come home early.)  but I figure this may be the first of many pointe shoes, so I might as well learn now.  It's interesting--pointe shoes are basically made of paper and glue, with a shank on the back and satin over top.  Not much there for all that leaping and twirling.       

Grace took her pointe shoes to her dress rehearsal yesterday to try them on for Miss Marie and Ms. Shari.  All the girls swarmed around her and hugged her and congratulated her.  They were so excited for her it was really touching.  Miss Marie showed her how to break them in--even how she could drip water on the sides right before class to loosen them up (BUT NOT on the TOE!).  I just shook my head and said to her, "It's amazing how much you don't know that you don't know about all this."  Ms. Shari gave her a very serious talk about not wearing them at all right now unless she was in class.  "These are not toys," she said. "For right now they are only for the dance studio."  Then she looked at Grace and congratulated her.  "You worked very hard for these and I'm very proud of you."  Grace went to put her shoes carefully away and Shari said, "If Grace learns to use her shoes the right way then she won't pick up any bad habits."  

 So this summer Grace will be taking a pointe class along with modern dance (her favorite right now). Her biggest weakness is flexibility, so I told her we'd get a video and I'd do it with her at home.  (Don't you dare laugh!)  Then, with the money that we would normally put toward her dance school tuition, we are planning on going to some professional performances this summer.  (And Aunt Jean might just tag along, especially if we go to NY.)  Ms. Shari thought that was a great idea, "She needs to see where she's going!"

I don't know, I wonder how long Grace will want to do this, and if we will be able to afford it.  But as long as God is in it, and Grace keeps her head about her, we'll take one "pointed" step at a time. 

And in case you are wondering, yes, I did cry when she was trying on her pointe shoes, but I didn't let her see me because she would have rolled her eyes and said, "Mom," in the way that all 10 year old girls do.

I put a few photos of the dress rehearsal up last night after I got back from work. But it was a late night so I didn't have energy to go through all 400 pics. :-) I'm going to put an album together for the teachers and I'll try to put a link up for that there soon.