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When Is It Appropriate For Dancers To Go On Pointe?

Type:

Teacher article

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None

Ballet teachers are faced with the dilemma each year as to which of their dancers are ready to go on pointe. There are always the pressures of both students and their parents pushing their teachers to let them go on pointe. It is a great responsibility and it is very important to make the correct decision for any classical student as to when and if a student should be put on pointe. Really the decision can only be made according to the level of the student’s skill, age and physical development and mental strength. The teacher’s assessment of the student should be the defining answer, no pressure from student or parent should affect the teacher’s decision. Dancing on Pointe is difficult and permanent damage can be done to the feet, ankles, knees, hips and back if a dancer is not ready or physically inappropriate to dance on Pointe. Of course, many a young dancer has the dream or vision of being on Pointe, the professionals make it look effortless and beautiful; but it is a long road to get to that level. The reality is that some dancers will never be suitable for Pointe work. Of course young dancers who look upon going on Pointe as a promotion or status symbol are disappointed if it is not their time, but it is definitely worth that bit of disappointment to keep the dancer away from unnecessary injury and suffering.

Author

Angela D'Valda Sirico

Angela D'Valda Sirico

Originally from England, Angela spent her early years in Hong Kong where she studied with Carol Bateman. She continued her training at Arts Educational Trust in England. After moving to New York City she continued her studies with Martha Graham and Matt Mattox. She appeared with the Matt Mattox Company and toured with the first Disney On Parade working with Disney and N.B.C. Contracted to the Teatro National of Buenos Aires she performed for one year and spent an additional year as a featured soloist at the Teatro Maipo, Argentina. Travelling to Madrid, Spain she worked for Spanish television in a weekly variety show Tarde Para Todos and from there decided to form her own Dance Company. With the Company she choreographed and performed throughout Spain in theatres, and on television. Angela met her husband Steve while working together on a television special The Valerie Peters Show filmed in Tampa, Florida. In 1979 they formed the Adagio act DValda & Sirico appearing in theatres, clubs and on television shows such as David Letterman, Star Search and the Jerry Lewis Telethon. In 1982 they were contracted to Europe and appeared in a variety of shows in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Italy before going to London, England where they appeared as Guest Artists for Wayne Sleep (formerly of the Royal Ballet) in his show Dash at the Dominium Theatre. Angela and Steve have owned and directed their dance studio in Fairfield, CT. for the past twenty two years and in 2005 added music and vocal classes to their curriculum. Angela served as chairperson for the tri state panel of the Royal Academy of Dancing and is Co-author of a Partner syllabus currently used for teacher training by Dance Educators of America. She continues to adjudicate and teach for major dance organizations and choreographs for theatre, television and conventions and was commissioned by Boston Ballet 11 to choreograph the highly acclaimed Brother Can You Spare A Dime? DValda & Sirico are currently in production choreographing the opening to the National Speakers Association convention on Broadway at the Marriott Marquis for August of 2008. Angela is co-owner of Dance Teacher Web designed as an online resource for teachers worldwide.

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