My twins are eager to start ballet lessons, but I don’t know where to start. Where should I look to find a good school for them? Are there any special points that I should pay attention to? Thanks, Richard

I took ballet lessons from ages 7 to 15. Life got in the way and I haven’t danced since I was 15, but I’d like to return to ballet now. I am 22 years old. Is this advisable? How do I start? Thanks, Diane

My 5-year old daughter is showing interest in ballet, but my husband and I are not sure when is the best time for her to start getting ballet lessons. When should my daughter start taking ballet? Thanks, Catherine

I notice that I sometimes feel pressure when I wear my point shoes. But I was quite sure I bought ones with the right fit when I did. How do I know I got the right fit for pointe shoes? Many thanks Caroline

My daughter has been dancing for a few months now. I’d like to save some money so I’m thinking of buying shoes with room for growth. Is it okay to do that? Cheers Marion

I’ve observed that dancers seem to tie the ribbon knot at the same place, but I can’t be sure if it’s the right way to do it. Where is the correct place to tie the ribbon knot? Thanks Karen

My son wants to study ballet. My husband is not keen to let him learn because of the notion that ballet is for girls. I’m willing to give it a shot, but I’m hoping to get sound advice. Should a boy take pointe? If so, at what age? Thanks Juliet

My daughter just started learning ballet. I hear all sorts of advice about shoes, so I’m a bit confused. Which soft slippers are best? Are pointe shoes made of wood? When can I try pointe? Many thanks Jennifer

My child is a bit heavy and not as graceful as some of her friends, but she wants to study ballet. Will ballet be helpful to her? Thanks, Lexi

My 14-year old daughter has been studying ballet for about three years now. I was told by her teacher that she needs to improve her extension. What exercises can you do to improve your extension in dance? Cheers Ana

The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe, one of China’s largest ballet companies, went to the West Coast for a performance on Friday, October 21st, at the Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver. Image Via – Guangzhou Ballet Troupe is   The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe was started in 1994 by Zhang Dandan, a former dancer with the [...]

I have just seen my first ballet performance and I find it very interesting. I was told I watched a contemporary ballet, but it looked like the usual “classical” ballet that I’ve always imagined it to be. What is the difference between classical ballet and contemporary ballet? Thanks Richard

The Manassas Ballet Theatre company will perform ?The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? at the Hylton Performing Arts Center on Saturday October 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday October 23 at 3 p.m. Image Via – manassas ballet   The production opens the company?s 2011-12 season, which also includes ?The Nutcracker,? ?Peter and the Wolf? and [...]

I’m 5 foot 4 inches tall and I’m concerned that I’ve gained weight. Is there an ideal weight for ballerinas like me? Thanks, Jessica

I have always loved ballet and it is something I have always wanted to do but my parents could never afford to pay for lessons. Now I’m 27 and I still really love ballet. I want to get involved and experience some of what I missed out on. Problem is, I have a foot injury [...]

Since its appearance in 2005, the 60-member National Ballet of China has fully embraced “modernism.” Image Via – ¿China: The Art of a Nation   Someone once said that ballet and modern dance would merge when a contemporary dancer donned toe shoes and ballerinas went barefoot. Well, that did happen in an Alvin Ailey piece [...]

Alexander Grant of the Royal Ballet, who is famous for many influential roles, died on September 30 at the age of 86. Image Via – Alexander Grant   Alexander Grant, whose portrayal of childlike suitors, muddled husbands, English eccentrics, pirate chiefs and Shakespearean rustics made him one of British ballet?s most beloved stars, died on [...]

Artistic director David Nixon OBE and composer Claude-Michel Schönberg worked together to come up with “Cleopatra,” a production that explores the life of one of the most powerful women in the world during her time. The captivating story debuted at the Theatre Royal Nottingham from 27th September to 1st October. Image Via – Cleopatra is [...]

Paul McCartney of the world-famous Beatles band created a 50-minute long ballet called “Ocean’s Kingdom.” Unfortunately, during the performance, the audience was there to see McCartney rather than the ballet. The ballet debut received unfavorable reviews from the media. Image Via -- Reuters Paul McCartney (L) and   (Reuters) -- Paul McCartney’s ballet debut writing [...]

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or simply “The Trocks,” is an American all-male drag ballet corps that has taken the world by storm over the past thirty years with their comedy drag ballet.   Image Via -- When men wear tutus. Can you imagine grown men in tutus, corsets and giant pointe shoes executing [...]

Madison is right, it's impossible for us (online) to know what is right for you - only YOU know how your shoes feels. If in doubt ask your teacher or return to the shop and try on other pairs (it should take about an hour or so to get fitted for your first pairs, unless you know EXACTLY what shoe you should be wearing) comparing with your original pair. Any fitter worth their salt will not let you leave the shop with incorrectly fitting pair of pointe shoes. Different foot shapes will dictate what style and make of shoe is right for you. Pressure is pretty normal inside pointe shoes (you're compressing your foot unnaturally after all!) but if you're experiencing pain beyond the 'usual amount' of discomfort, or pain that does not go away as soon as you change your stance or take the shoe off, do not continue wearing the shoe or you may be doing nerve damage to your toes/feet. Judicious padding or taping might aid the issue, but ask your teacher first. If possible, ask them to come to the shop while you're fitted - they have a vested interest in keeping you dancing and preventing young dancers from sustaining a foot injury is top priority! Good luck and do let us know how it goes.

Hi Diane and congratulations on deciding to take up ballet again! Do what I did after a long hiatus and look for drop-in classes at your local schools. This will give you a good taster of how they teach and your preference for level and ability as an adult... then you can gauge how you'd like to progress and perhaps sign up for a term of classes. The drop-in option is also cheap and fun as the classes tend to be relaxed and more spontaneous. If you're lucky and as you had a substantial amount of experience (you danced for quite some years) then your 'muscle memory' should still be mostly intact (I was back en pointe after a month as I'd kept up exercises throughout my break from dancing to maintain my strength). You may need to work on regaining your technique, turnout and stamina (as I did!) but now is the perfect time to return to ballet. You're young, still fit and if you have the drive to do it, go for it! Good luck and let us know how you go :)

I was taught a variation on Jasmine's recommendation, which is to tie the ribbons on the _outside_ of the ankle. So yes, in the natural dip between Achilles tendon and ankle bone, but not on the inside, rather on the outside. The reason for this is aesthetic: the knot is thus invisible to the audience when the dancer is standing facing front in a turned-out position, with the insides of the ankle directed towards the audience. I've seen both inside and outside options (in life and in photographs) but the really important thing is the common feature: the knot never sits on the Achilles tendon.

I'd recommend full sole shoes for young feet as they will help her develop strong arches, which will enable her to maintain a good technique for pointe later on. Split soled shoes are only really suitable for people with very weak or flat arches, that require a more enhanced aesthetic line. Working the feet well at the beginning will ensure the foundations are there for building on as she progresses in her studies. Always have your first pairs of shoes professionally fitted (even leather/canvas flats) as they should fit snugly and are generally a size (or more) smaller than 'street shoe' size. As to pointe shoes, her teacher will be the judge of when she is ready as only they can tell when a student is sufficiently progressed in strength and technique. Putting in the hard work at the start will ensure she has a long and fun career in dance - good luck!

Ribbons should always be tied on the inside of the ankle. If you run your fingers back from the prominent ankle bone on the inside there is a natural dip in the flesh. this (for me) is the most comfortable place to knot and tuck in the ribbons. Always make sure your ribbons are tied firmly and securely - too tight and they will be uncomfortable and cut off your circulation; too loose and they could cause injury as your shoe will move around on your foot and cause you to slip. Knotting ribbons on the inside of the ankle is primarily to prevent injury to the Achilles tendon, which runs up from your heel and is also considered an aesthetic convention.

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Hello Juliet, please apologize my English, I´m not a native speaker. My son (8 years old) attends ballet lesson for about a year. His teacher finds him very talented. And I am so proud. I think ballet is good for boys. Let see male ballet dancer - their figures are admirable and skills perfect. My son is only boy in girls´ class. But it´s OK. He is in the spotlight and he likes it. I have to say I´m very very happy he is interested in ballet. Best Annie

Hello Juliet Great to read that you want to support your son in taking ballet. Being a man myself and having run a ballet school for several years I know that your husband may have doupts in his son going to ballet. It is always difficult for most fathers to accept that their sons want to give ballet a try. Tell him that it is a try and that, even if he has resentments, it would be good if he would be supportive. I had much of the same problem, but once I was able to show results my father was one of the best supporters I had. There is not always the possibility in finding a ballet school with a boys class. My recommendation is that if the teacher is supportive and wants to have the boy in class then go for that and watch carefully how your son is integrated. Many times he will be the only one, tell him what a chance he has being the only male with so many girls and what his friends are all missing by not being able to attend ballet. Male in ballet does not mean that your son is or will become gay in any way, do not be afraid of that. If a male is gay then this has nothing to do with ballet, its something I had and have to explain over and over. This would anyhow not show early in a boys life. Other thing will be the acceptance of his going to ballet by other boys. I tend to recommend that as the boy is doing something really special he should keep it at first a secret to him self and the family. I have found that one can talk very open even with young boys about this and was always able to find a solution. In our school we had a 5 year old boy and he did not want to keep it a secret. His parents invited all his friends for a afternoon with video. They were watching Billy Eliot and there was a discussion after. Result: we had 3 boys in the school which gave it a try, one left soon and the other stayed over 1 year. Due to that there was no mobbing problems from his best friends. -> Let us know after some time how it all went and if he liked it or not. I would also be interested to read what kind of teacher you found and how he was integrated in class. All the best Smart

Pointe should only be taken when your dance teachers says so. You need to have a strong dance techinque, strong calfs and ankles and have a least one year dance training maybe even 2 or 3. Choosing canvas or leather for dance shoes is really a personal choice. For me I prefer leather. I find that they are longer lasting, more supportive, better fit but are a pain to sew on ribbons. They can be a lot more money but they last longer then canvas. Try them both and see what suits you better!

It can be very dangerous. A ballet shoe should be fit and snuggly around a dancers foot. If their shoes are to big a dancer could trip or fall over. If you are wanting to save some money have a look at discountdance.com they have really cheap dancewear and shoes

For starters I think it is great that your son is intrested in ballet. Generally boys don't take pointe but focus more on high jumps or leaps. Find a notible ballet school who has a boys ballet class (so he won't feel like the only boy who dances) and he should take min. of 2 classes a week if he wants to see improvement: also this is one of my all time favourite quotes: If ballet was easy it would be called football...

You should have them prefessionally fitted instead of asking over the internet (you can't trust what strangers say) or even ask your dance teacher. From just reading a couple of words it is hard to tell what your problem is.

Now is a great time to start. Look for a school that has a kinder dance or preparatory level class with teachers who have certificates in dance. At her age she is a lot more flexible so it is easy for her when she gets older. Good luck with everything and I hope she enjoys her classes.

I do think that you should ask your dance instructor what would be an ideal weight for your height and bone structure. remember to remain healthy because unhealthy body size and weight is very bad for dancers especially on pointe shoes. i wish you best of luck ?

Hello young dancer. I may not be the most knowledgeable in ballet techniques, but I do know that what Danielle says works. I just wanted to add to her already wonderful advice. <3 I like to ease my way into the "push toward your ear". I start by pulling in my knee to my chest and hooking my arm around to keep it as bent as possible. Hold there for a while. Then with your knee still firmly planted on your chest, with the free hand, pull you ankle slowly toward your ear until you can't anymore and hold again. Next keep your hand on your ankle, and without letting up, release your knee and work on straightening as much as you can; at the same time lengthening your leg. this is where my stretch meets Danielle's. It is much more affective when you have someone assist pushing down your leg as you pull, but it can also be done on your own; lengthen your leg as you pull down toward your leg. To finish I hold my heel in my hand and stretch to the side. Just like I think Danielle mentioned as a standing stretch. I only do it in my floor position. Repeat on the other leg of course and, as I was told by my wonderful ballet instructor (though have not yet tested myself), if this series of stretches is done everyday, you will have full extension in months rather than years. You are also still young enough to catch on very fast if you want. Well, hope this helps :D Enjoy!!! ^-^

I hope you get to the weight that you are comfortable with and yes 105 is a good weight for your height

Hi I am Danielle I am 11 and have been dancing sence I was 2. Make sure when your streching that you take it on your own pace. It is not good to jump into something like that fast. One stretch is to lay on your back and keeping one leg exsended on the floor lift the other up and have some one push the other toward your ear. Remember to take it slow and keep your hips in line. Another streach is to stand up and put your heel in your hand extend and stretch. Let go to see were your leg is. Know that no matter how flexible you are you need leg strength to hold it high in the air. Happy dancing

I am 5'3 to 5'4 and I am 95 pounds. Everyone says that I look skinny, but a healthy skinny. I think 105 would be a decent weight. But don't forget, muscle weighs more than fat! Don't worry too much about this, and please do not become anorexic!! If you want to lose weight, talk to a nutritionist or a teacher, or even find some research online on how to create a diet that won't be harmful towards your dancing. Eat more fruits and veggies, and less unhealthy snacks. And it helps a ton to only drink water instead of juice and soda, it cuts out many useless calories that should be savored in food items. Good luck! I'm sure you are a beautiful dancer!

There are numerous ways to participate in ballet other than actually dancing. It is so great that you want to get involved! I suggest contacting your local ballet school or professional ballet company. You may be able to help with sets or working as a stagehand during performances. Places are always looking for volunteers to help with whatever needs to be done. If you can sew, perhaps you could help with costumes. Trust me, the dancers and the others at the studio really appreciate it.

hi.by ballet excersise u can loos weghit and have good body.all the people cant be smart but it is not reson to dont have experince.