From its origins in Italian courts in the sixteenth century, ballet has historically been a dance reserved for the elite. The style has developed its own language and traditions, making it immediately recognizable and globally popular. Ballet’s emphasis on alignment and control has kept it foundational to formal dance education in many parts of the world.
Part of what makes ballet unique is the footwear. Ballet dancers can dance “on flat” in ballet slippers or “en pointe” wearing special, reinforced shoes that allow for balance on the toe. Our faculty work with students interested in dancing en pointe to determine when they’re ready for the transition. This individualized attention ensures our student’s long-term safety and success.
Ballet’s history is complex and largely exclusionary. Today, though, dancers everywhere are rewriting this art form, taking the techniques but leaving behind the harmful rhetoric that has governed the practice for generations. Our teachers strive to build a better future for ballet and ballet dancers, taking only the best of what the style has to offer.