POINTE
Pointe is the only subsection of ballet that is not included in our Ballet classes. It requires its own course of strength and balance training and can be quite strenuous on the foot and ankle. Adults are welcome to train in Pointe class regardless of their experience, but must be patient about progress – Pointe shoes may only be purchased and practiced in once the teacher deems it safe. Besides the prospect of dancing on Pointe, these classes offer a great opportunity to strengthen the knees and ankles, activate the core, and improve body awareness and alignment. These benefits make Pointe Training a great complement to Ballet Training, or fantastic exercises classes on their own
TAKE A CLASS
We have a few different ways to enjoy Pointe training at the studio. It is very important that beginning Pointe dancers get the proper training before putting on Pointe shoes. Dancers are closely monitored in Pointe classes and involvement is permitted at the sole discretion of the teacher.
*PLEASE NOTE*
Sometimes class levels are combined (ie. Beginner/Novice, Novice/Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced) due to schedule constraints or low enrollment. Please use the level descriptions below to see which level feels the best for you to start and we’ll help you with the rest!
| BRAND NEW TO POINTE? |
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| Join our Bunions & Balance class for 6 months of pre-pointe training before getting your first pair of pointe shoes! |
| *Join in September 2025 to go en Pointe in April 2026 |
| *Students must plan to commit to at least 85% attendance in Bunions & Balance to be considered for Pointe Shoe Fitting |
| BEGINNER POINTE (0-1 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for Pointe dancers with at least 2 months experience on Pointe, who are otherwise new to dancing on Pointe |
| Students should be familiar with Rises and Relevรฉs at the barre |
| Exercises in the Centre will be introduced at a slow pace |
| Students are given lots of support in the form of Class Demonstrators, slow review of exercises, and lots of repetition Students are give small opportunities to start developing the skill of quick memorization on very simple exercises All exercises will be amply reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week |
| Students from any Ballet class are welcome to join in soft shoe to practise on demi-pointe (no experience required!) |
| *Students will be assessed carefully by teacher to ensure they are in the proper level *The teacher reserves the right to request the student try a lower level at any time if there are concerns about progress & safety en Pointe |
| NOVICE POINTE (1-3 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for beginning Pointe dancers who have some experience but still require instruction on basic technique & elements and need more support arranging steps into combinations |
| Students will work on Rises, 2-Foot Relevรฉs, Pas de Bourrรฉes, Courus, and Waltz Steps |
| Students are given fair amount of support in the form of Class Demonstrators, review of exercises, and lots of repetition Students are expected to start developing the skill of memorization in order to perform some exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) All exercises will be amply reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week, but students should develop familiarity with exercises over the Term |
| Students from any Ballet class are welcome to join in soft shoe to practise on demi-pointe (Novice level & up) |
| *Students will be assessed carefully by teacher to ensure they are in the proper level *The teacher reserves the right to request the student try a lower level at any time if there are concerns about progress & safety en Pointe |
| INTERMEDIATE POINTE (3-5 Years Experience) |
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| Designed for more experienced Pointe dancers who have a good understanding of the basic technique and steps and are able to put together combinations independently |
| Students will work on Rises, 2-Foot Relevรฉs, 2-to-1 Relevรฉs, Pas de Bourrรฉe Piquรฉs, Courus, Temps Liรฉs, Chainรฉs & Pirouettes |
| Students are given less support in the form of Class Demonstrators, review of exercises, and repetition Students are expected to have the skill of memorization in order to perform most exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) All exercises will be quickly reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week, but students should develop familiarity with exercises over the Term |
| Students from any Ballet class are welcome to join in soft shoe to practise on demi-pointe (Novice level & up) |
| *Students will be assessed carefully by teacher to ensure they are in the proper level *The teacher reserves the right to request the student try a lower level at any time if there are concerns about progress & safety en Pointe |
| ADVANCED POINTE (5+ Years Experience) |
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| Designed for very experienced Pointe dancers who have mastered the basics, have a good understanding of complex steps, and are able to put together complicated combinations with ease |
| Students will work on all the steps in Intermediate & below with additional choreographical elements, Contemporary movements, and more focus on artistry, musicality, and performance |
| Students are given no support in the form of Class Demonstrator, but will receive a review of exercises each class and adequate repetition needed for progress Students are expected to have the skill of quick memorization in order to perform all exercises without demonstration (“off-book”) with minimal teaching All exercises will be quickly reviewed each class – there is no expectation of memorizing classwork week-to-week, but students should develop familiarity with exercises over the Term |
| Students from any Ballet class are welcome to join in soft shoe to practise on demi-pointe (Intermediate level & up) |
| *Students will be assessed carefully by teacher to ensure they are in the proper level *The teacher reserves the right to request the student try a lower level at any time if there are concerns about progress & safety en Pointe |
| OTHER POINTE OPTIONS |
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| For fitness conditioning & flexibility training, check out Bunions & Balance or Body Break |
| Join our Ballet classes for extra posture & technique! |
| Dive deeper into the world of intensive dance training with our Dance Mastery Program |
| Create your very own choreographical piece with our Path to Performance Program |
| Customize your experience with our Private Lessons! |
PREPARE FOR CLASS
The Basics
- No large hanging jewelry
- No chewing gum
- Avoid strong fragrances
- No food or drink in the studio, other than water (in the lounge is fine)
- Bring a water bottle!
First Time?
Don’t go out and buy anything yet! All styles of dance can very easily be done in comfortable work-out clothes and socks or bare feet. Once you’ve decided you want to commit to the class, you can purchase the relevant dancewear (see below).
Where to Buy
Dance Street is the only dancewear distributor in Saskatoon, but they have two locations – one east side, and one downtown. We strongly recommend you visit the eastside location, off of 8th Street, as they have the best selection. Check out their website for more details. If you’re unsure about what to buy, they will help you! Just show them the lists laid out below, and they will get you exactly what you need.
*Dance Alive Studios is slowly building our own store of dance attire that is size-inclusive, accessible, and comfortable (some products available online, some in-studio). Feel free to contact us with specific requests to see what we have in store, and visit our DAS Store for products we’re currently selling.
*REGARDING GENDER*
Attire in the dance world, specifically Ballet, can be inherently gendered. The attire listed for each style is given in terms of “feminine” and “masculine” suggestions when appropriate. Students are welcome to choose whatever combination of attire they feel comfortable in.
Pointe Attire
NOTE: It is a relatively new development to train men for Pointe work the Ballet world, but there is fundamentally no gendered differences in Pointe training other than wearing your preferred attire from the ankle up. Please see our Ballet Attire section for more details.
POINTE SHOES:
Wear your normal Ballet Slippers (see Ballet Attire above) if you do not have Pointe shoes already
! IMPORTANT !
Do not purchase pointe shoes without consulting with the teacher first. Purchasing your first pair of pointe shoes is a very involved process, and can be VERY UNSAFE without proper guidance.