How ballet dancers prepare pointe shoes for performance
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
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Watch Edward Watson and Principal Mara Galeazzi as they take us behind-the-scenes to meet the individuals and see the effort that goes into preparing pointe shoes and footwear for each and every Royal Ballet performance. Give a gift online at www.roh.org.uk/...
Anyone who makes an online donation to the Pointe Shoes Appeal will be automatically entered to win a signed pair of Mara Galeazzi's pointe shoes from her final Royal Ballet performance in Mayerling.
I give ballet dancers so much respect because of how dedicated they are!
Anissa Grey2.0 I m a ballet dancer and I really appreciate it .
Anissa Grey2.0 NOORA
Anissa Grey2.0 I'm a ballet dancer, thank you for giving us respect! Appreciated 😊
Anissa Grey2.0 why thank you
Anissa Grey2.0 also i liked youre comment 🤗
I've always felt that ballet is like the perfect balance between art and sport. It's so beautiful.
It's honesty both because of the crazy physical demand that it has
Gabriela Delgado and elegant
Only if its strictly professional sport bc regular sports and dance are way less damaging in tbe long ru.
I find pointe shoes the most pretty thing ever
I do too!! And I'm getting my first pair this week:D
Jordan Britt I got mine 2 days ago and sewed them yesterday!
Jordan Britt Good luck you guys because after a while they are really really painful
Dance Me Silly Congrats! Get some nice inserts for 'em, I had gel ones back when I was still dancing and they helped a LOT. Enjoy!
Jordan Britt Congrats!! :D
Great video, ballet is beautiful. But i have a exam coming up and a paper to do. I don't even dance ballet what am i doing here.
lol
HELLO JIN
Megan Phua Same guuurl
armyyyy
ARMY HELLO im getting pointe shoes soon and im binge watcing ballet vids lmfao
3:20 "...and then soft here" *crunch crunch* o_o
My cousin is going to school for ballet. And they out jets glue on the bottom (where the ball of your foot is) so when they go on their toes they have nice support. :)
+AnJeLiCaHoLiC1217 they glue on the shank?
+AnJeLiCaHoLiC1217 glue would ruin the strength of the shank
+MsPrincess0019 it actually makes it stronger. I do ballet and everyone at my school does it.
+MsPrincess0019 depends on the person
If people think ballet is easy we are doing our job,it looks easy but it is one of the most physically and mentally demanding things you can do
👏👏
Indeed
Glitter doll 3434 PREACH
From what I've seen, I'm in AWE of what you girls do, Glitter Doll! Awe!
Glitter doll 3434 ballerinas deserve more respect for you do.
Ballet is metal and you'll never convince me otherwise. The sheer training, demands, pain, mental anguish, injuries and dedication that goes into the sport is simply astounding. You really have to love it.
@maya plisetskaya's left eyebrow It's an artform, but I still consider it a sport. It's physically strenuous and incredibly hard work. Hours and hours of practice in addition to dealing with constant injuries and pain, all while smiling through it and making it look easy. Add in the fact that it's competitive, with other ballerinas competing with one other to be the best and get the best parts.
Ballet dancers are just so graceful and beautiful.
Spookylady thanks 😃 ( I'm a ballet dancer)
Well thanks tho I am not graceful yet (been doing ballet for 8 years, still suck😂)
Spookylady thanks
Spookylady watch how I dance you’ll regret what u said. I am a ballet dancer tho
I love how she is just casually sitting in a split.
My teacher, Nina Stroganova, showed me her pointe shoes. They had darned tips, white shellac inside and cement glue outside. They lasted for six years, and were still usable 40 years later. And they made no noise. I don't believe shoes have to be constantly changed.
zzindorf they don't really need to be changed unless your doing a performance or your feet grow
shut the fudge up! she was your ballet instructor?!?! :O omyfuanbgiaoenvosjks!!!! that's so cool! wait ... you must be kinda old then? and do you still dance? if so, are there any vids of performances to watch? will you also teach ballet? (sorry for the intrusive questions -///- it's just cool that you had her as a teacher)
zzindorf yeah most point shoes are only constantly changed if you are continuously performing in shows. mostly just for the look they are going for.
zzindorf Rip your toes
if you wear these crappy freeds then they break really easily 😂😂
i have nothing but admiration for the people who do ballet, their commitment is outstanding
Aww, thank you, I do ballet and I've been doing since I was three so it really means alot
Aww, thank you, I've been doing ballet since I was three so it means alot 😀
I've been doing ballet for 11 years and I absolutely love it and have so much respect for dancers
I watch the randomist stuff lol I'm not even involved in ballet.
Me either
Same! Haven't a notion how I ended on this side of youtube. :)
+waverley carr me too but it is so interesting how much work goes into these performances their training and commitment - I like tennis and golf and I can relate a bit to this.
+BumbleBee lol
So true 😂😂
Pointe shoe preparation and breaking in is the most beautiful sound in the world...
Yeah, when they also scrunch (or something I forgot the word i'm looking for haha) them up to make the shoe a bit more flexible. I quite like those kinds of sound
@ Petra Schiller,
I didn't start ballet until I was 28 and I got my pointe shoes at 29 :) It's not too late if you are 20.
Sarah Johnston where did you get your lessons?
Omg really ? I've always been concerned about my age, I thought 22 was really really too late to start dancing.. I remember at school I was reading a book of classical dance every single time I was going to the library but never got the chance to have lessons... and pointe shoes oh la la ! Always dreamed to have these !! I hope (if I start next fall) it won't take me ages or decades to have them and dance with them !!
Omg I’ve always wanted to start start ballet, but I thought I was too old. I’d walk and dance around my house all the time in different positions like I knew what I was doing haha.
Dancing is something you can do at any age! What is needed is passion and commitment ☺
Thank you so much for informing about age!! I'm close to 19 and been rejected by studios because I haven't danced for 6 years prior ): I quickly gave up but you just inspired me to look for studios for adults! Thank you and congratz
Thubs up if you love ballet!
+vinyl scratch I do all those things too.
I do ballet
Subhadra Menon no one cares
Zharia Lang u don't have to say bad stuff all the time. If u do just leave
I lovee ballet
As a former Bodybuilder i noticed that Ballet dancers almost without exception have very well developed calves (gastrocnemius) muscles. Off subject i know but when i see them i find myself studying their calves.
I often get asked about my calves when I'm doing weights in the gym, I still dance, and it really works the calves, all the demi pointe work (rising to balls of feet) and especially when we have to balance our entire body weight on one leg. I have giant calves LOL
Christabel Ng
Thanks for reply, you say you do weights in gym, do you do any direct work on calves like standing calves machine for instance. i used to do those very intensly but got little response. other bodyparts grew well plus genetically they are my weakest area. I think they are attractive muscles calves ,and on ladies one of the first things i look at .LOL.
Not specifically calves related. For legs I do squats (standard 😝) and deadlift up to 50kg for now. I try to stretch my calves out rather than train them specifically because I run and I dance and they're pretty tight from all that.
Christabel Ng
Ah there you go that proves my point,maybe i should have combined my bodybuilding with ballet LOL,nice pics thanks for showing ,ill go and do some str etches now, good luck. chestnut.
Maybe walk around the house on Demi pointe? (Go up on toes) good luck with training =)
I did it ages 4-8 took a break and now (at 15) I'm back at it. Sure, I'm not as good (nor as limber) anymore but I'm enjoying it so much and it is amazing to get back at it. Just remember to keep going no matter what!!
sometimes I miss ballet, the almost unachievable perfection in every excersize and the beautiful release of emotions in every performance. The smell of brand new pointes and the sound and feel of perfecty ready to be used points for the show... it brings back a lot of stressful and peaceful memories.
I love this video. The speakers are almost mesmerizing. The female dancer is wonderful, her gorgeous, liquid pointe work. Her beautiful, natural split. The male dancer is charming. I wish this video were longer.
I love how pointe shoes are handmade like this. Somehow it makes ballet even more special and pure as an art.
Wow. I have tremendous respect for these shoemakers! What a skill!!!! Simply, simply amazing! We always look at actors or dancers and think such amazing people and yes they are. But the ones who work the hardest are the production people. Bravo!!
My daughter got her dad to stitch/darn her shoes. A labour of love. Xx
Just because pointe shoes are hard does not mean they are easy to use. They are still painful, and the harder they are, the harder to dance. Unless, of course, you extremely strong feet. Don't "assume" things.
Thank you! Someone gets it. I am not on pointe yet but I see the older girls in my studio getting ready for pointe and there feet are bloody
EXACTLY!!!!!!!
I like that non dancers and ppl who aren't involved in ballet still find interest in the beauty of this art.
The crunching sound when she says “soft here” sounds like a foley of bones cracking.
The pointe shoe mistress is so attractive and I love the way she talks. I could listen to her all day. The maker is special and charming.
i used to walk around my house in them to break them in lol i miss dance so much sometimes :') although it's gross, i still have bloodstains in them lol it's painful and there will be blood! :P but it's so much fun
My friend would walk around her house in hers on Demi pointe while doing chores to break them in xD
smart! lol
Why blood
Victoria Zuniga Because your nails break
Victoria Zuniga because they need to be tight around the feet so they dont get off while dancing, they are hard and ucomfortable somtimes, and the part that goes arround your heel rubs against it and it can give you painful blisters
I've been on pointe for 4 years now :) I love it. We go thru about 400 shoes a year for my studio :) Ballet calms me!
I love behind the scenes videos like these, especially when the dancers themselves contribute! More pleeeease!
I wished I've taken up with ballet when I was younger. It takes years of practice and discipline just by looking at the beautiful dances those performers put out.
Ballet is my favourite style of dance, it's so beautiful
Love these videos. Not a ballerina but a showjumper...equestrienne for about 23 years since age 4...with some years off due to my chronic pain and heart condition and the politics and multi millions that I don't have that come with the sport...but was lucky to see a travelling Russian ballet company at a small university I had to go to instead of my top school due to my health and Dr's being at home...and they were fantastic. Performed Sleeping Beauty. It wasn't the Bolshoi, but whatever travelling company, if they are Russian ballet dancers, you know they will be fantastic regardless, even if they aren't "first string".
Dance is my life. I can't wait till I get on pointe. For now,the videos are the closest i can get from the experience
I admire all these women who do this and you're so beautiful and graceful
They're so pretty but they hurt so much. Ive been on pointe for 4 years & its been a struggle but its so worth it.
After a while your feet get numb to the pain. Unless you have a blister, bunion, ingrown nail, etc.
We were going to start pointe the week the quarantine started. I'm still so excited for the day we get back and using this time to strengthen some more!
Pointe is so not easy! I have been on pointe for 5 years and I have been excepted to the royal dance academy in London England! What ever you do don't go on pointe till your feet are ready, I went on pointe in an early age and I broke my ankles twice! I love dancing but you get what you put into it! Everyone who's dances should love what they are doing. I have been dancing since I was two but I had to work up to it
You are certainly right! I started ballet when i was 2, but I quit and now I'm back and I'm about to get pointe shoes! You just need to follow your dreams, and it's never too late to do what you want with your life. Ballet was a great choice and I'm sure you'll have fun with it!
I like how the girl just casually sits in the splits as she prepares her shoes
I love how she explains the process to make a point shoe ready 🤗
I used to do pointe. It was very painful, but fun as well. 😊 It's such a beautiful art. Too bad it's expensive to be a ballerina. 😥
Even though I’m not involved with ballet whatsoever, it seems like one of the hardest thing to do. Ballet dancers are so dedicated and passionate. I wish I was like them, when it comes doing something in life.
THIS IS SO SATISFIYING FOR A DANCER OMG. Normal people won't understand.
Ikr I'm an Irish dancer (which is a lot like ballet, especially soft shoe) and this was so satisfying to watch!!
Dancing doesn't make you abnormal. 😂
Dila Topal I guess I'm not a normal person, even though I'm not a dancer? Haha. I did do color guard in high school, and we wore dance shoes, so I have some appreciation for it.
I'm not even a dancer but I've always wanted to but watching this is satisfying to me lol
Ugh yes banging those shoes out and soft is everything! I do them for my friend as she doesn’t want to break her fragile fingers. I’m not on pointe yet, but I will be next year
Ed Watson is brilliant have met him many times!
Amazing! Why not sell them used afterwards to audience members as a keepsake?
Some companies actually do that! :) And a lot of dancers/companies also sell signed shoes online for anyone to buy :)
My guess is health reasons haha!
That’s a great idea! Who knows, maybe one of those pointe shoes will inspire an audience member to dance in them
That’s a great idea with signature, of course, I would probably keep my first and last pair but that’s so cool. I remember before I was told I was getting pointe shoes I wanted a pair, even just look at. The only issue is I know sometimes dancers bleed in the shoe and I would probably fill the shoe with something to prevent audience members from trying to go en pointe because that could seriously damage their feet forever.
@@savannahyi .... they said as a keepsake.
I am a ballerina in California and I just got my first pair of pointe shoes, I am training for a preformance. Ballet is so beautiful, I just love it I want to do it for a long time.
my ballett teachers just smashes ours agains the wall a few times :D
Lea K. Haha
My boxes never die so I tend to just smash them on the ground (this also reduces the sound, grishkos are LOUD!
mine just stands on them for a few seconds....???? but obviously she also uses her hands
Lea K. That’s actually effective😂
It
Ballet and pointe shoes are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me
We have a man on pointe in one of our forthcoming productions: The Dream
by Frederick Ashton
I hope ballet last forever. It's something I wish I could do but can't. But I do like to watch
my ballet school was doing the nutcracker ballet and for Chinese and Spanish they wanted colored Pointe shoes. instead of buying actual colored shoes, the girls colored them with like 3 sharpie markers a pair.
Madeline Stanifer Many schools/people do that since it's cheaper
omg does anyone else wanna give Bob a hug?!? his lil accent, loving to make pretty lil ballet shoes with his lil british old man face i cannot he’s adorable
That's Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling - a very dark and dramatic ballet!
That's interesting - I didn't realise that they went through so many shoes. Goes to show how much they do and all the effort they put into practice and the performance. Ballet has always been a beautiful, love watching little snippets like this ☺️👍
I’m on a row of these videos cause I can’t wait to get my first pair of pointe shoes next year 😊😁
I want a compilation of ballet destro-preparing their shoes. I admit it's kinda soothing to watch
THREE PAIRS A PERFORMANCE??? My god!
the video starts and this woman is just casually doing more of a split then I'll ever even attempt in my lifetime
Ballet is EXTREMELY physically difficult. Ballet is an art, however, not a sport. I don't know why some people think if ballet is not called a sport then people aren't accepting it's physically challenging. It's normally done in shows, not at competitions. Even golf is a sport, as physically lacking as it is, because it's played to win a competition. You can't "win" ballet. It's not very nice for them to always pick on football players either just because what they do in ballet is harder. Who said football was harder/better? So leave it alone. I'm not here for people to attack me, I still said ballet is EXTREMELY difficult. I just don't get this whole obsession over one word, "sport", because if it's not called a sport it's still difficult, right? If you disagree then please keep it to yourself.
I don't care either way, it's you opinion. However, I do want to point out two things. I am in color guard, which if you don't know, it's part of marching band. Color guard is considered what is called a sport of the arts. Dance is also considered as such. The second thing being that there are competitions for ballet. There are competitions for all forms of dance. It's just that most of them aren't showcased because dance is not as popular as football or soccer or other sports like that. While I do respect your opinion, I did just want to point these things out.
+Rachel Lamell I am in color guard too :)) and I totally agree with you
xCyaNx x.x no I completely agree. I've never liked seeing those, "if _____ were easier, it would be call football" cause football isn't easy. I don't play it, but I like it and I do know how demanding it is. So yeah I don't believe that ballet and football should be compared when the two are incredibly different
Guys, I just want to say that this comment feed is beautiful. This is because no one is attacking or trying to disprove others opinions. It is mature people discussing a debatable topic, thank all of you for that.
+xchocofairy I completely agree - gymnastics is a sport but it is also an art form - if you watch Federer he moves like a male ballerina - I think because it is so high brow people don't know much about it or have an aversion to it - all sport has an element of artistry its just that the scoring is easier to follow than ballet which is scored on artistic merit, which is inaccessible to the public at large.
Center Stage is a fave and has me watching ballet stuff. So beautiful.
I want to be a ballet dancer but I'm 13 so you think it's too late to start? I don't have much experience but I want to be on pointe eventually!
Its never too late (well actually 50 year olds cant but still) do it gurl
Thanks for the encouragement :)
I'm 19 and I want to start too, but that's also my fear; that I'm too old /:
I did it when I was really little but quit out of stage fright haha, kind of wish I hadn't.
your not too old just start off with somthing simple
Misty Copeland started at 13 and she is now a soloist with American Ballet Theater- one of the top companies in the world. It might be too late to be a professional if you don't have the right body and a lot of talent, but it is NOT too late to start ballet and become a really good hobby dancer if you find the right teacher!
I started ballet when I was six now I'm ten and I'm getting my pointe shoes this year!!! So happy!!!
I really wanna dance but I'm not it the shape to do it.
Plus I have really wide feet so I don't think I'd fit in the shoes the ballerinas wear
Don't worry about things like that - dance is great fun and really good for you, whatever shape you are.
This is why I love the Royal Ballet. So encouraging, unlike other ballet companies.
You can, shape doesn't really matter in dance nor is foot size, but you will lose weight because of all the exercises, warm ups, and stretching you have to do. It's tiring, but since you're doing something you like, it's worth it.
Tarty you said it very well :-)
I do Indian classical dance, but I can still relate to the changing of clothing, every time I have to make sure that I can dance comfortably in my clothes so I can really flow with my movements, and express my feelings, so each costume has to show the right things and feel great for me.
I will never use this information in my life , but here I am
I cant wait to get my pair! I'm going onto pre-pointe this year aka the shoe before you get your pointe shoes so Im excited! Ballet is such a beautiful form of art and dance, and pointe shoes just make it more graceful and amazing
It is almost unbelievable how many shoes the dancers go through. I don't do ballet so for the longest time I thought pointe shoes were like tap shoes; replace them when they break. It kinda sucks that they have to work in each new pair when it may last them only a week or 2 weeks.
Much love to all the ballet dancers on pointe
I'm 15 and I really want to do ballet. I did it when I was about 5 for about 2 years but I quit and did lyrical and jazz up until now. I feel like it's too late to do it now :/
Sarah Mitchell It's never too late, I'm 14 and this is my first year of ballet and I love it!!
Lyrical is fairly similar to ballet so you have at least a bit of experience 😊
it's never too late to learn anything as long as you have the positive attitude and perseverance .. u will still be able to it :)
I'm 15 and I would really loved to learn piano. ppl always say that I'd you want to learn piano .. u have to learn in since young .. but I started not long ago and I can really tell u that it's never too late to learn what u desire :)
+Sarah Mitchell It's never too late if you just wanna do it for fun! I started the week before I turned 18 and had never taken a single ballet class before. If you wanna do it, do it! It's so much fun! I'm turning 20 in January so soon I've been dancing for two years, oh how the time flies! :)
it's never to late for anything, if you want to do it then do it!, worst thing is not doing it again then regret not trying agin.
Ballet is just so beautiful and perfect
I have two finals Monday one of which is 63% of my grade and I need to get at least an 80% on it and I should be studying, but here I am..... I’m not even a dancer oh no
that is basically me rn.. i have a 10 page paper on solitary confinement due tmm but here i am.. watching pointe shoe making :|
I've been on pointe for a year!!! It's so much fun!!!
I've never understood why pointe shoes haven't evolved a bit. When a maker has specifications for specific ballerinas, why can't they come with elastics and ribbons attached? And it seems they all get bent in half to soften them so why do they come so hard when nobody keeps them like that?
Most pointe shoes don't come with ribbons or elastics attached because they are sold to a regular market as well as a professional market. So they can't tailor to every dancer. And not all shoes are hard. Some shoes are very soft and easy to break in. The problem is that if you have very strong arches the shoes with a soft shank (the part of the shoe that varies in hardness) will very easily break, the harder version won't break so quickly. But every dancer is different, that is the main reason for both the hard shank and the fact that the elastics and ribbons do not come sewn with all brands.
K Fallon w since each dancers arch is different they have to break them in differently or it wont fit properly
I understand that. I'm talking about the elite dancers who get their shoes made to their specifications, not the companies that get the shoes sent in bulk. Like the lead ballerina in the ABC or Bolshoi. Why is someone so prestigious still having to break in shoes?
A lot of the times it's even a ritual the dancer develops. Like when I was dancing en pointe I always had to do my own shoes. Once my grandma tried to do them for me as a gift and I got scared and nervous and couldn't dance. I'm sure that carries over to prestigious dancers too. It seems silly but it's part of the process.
K Fallon well also all dancers have different preferences as to where they want the ribbons and elastic and how they like it sewn on
Anyone else randomly ends up here despite having no involvement in ballet whatsoever? I love the video by the way, truly amazed by the dancers.
What's the name of the ballet at 1:45?
And them point shoes are amazing
+Sparkling-icetea This is from Kenneth MacMillan's ballet Mayerling - you can find out more about the ballet here www.roh.org.uk/productions/mayerling-by-kenneth-macmillan
Sparkling-icetea
Sparkling-icetea
Royal Opera House b
This is amazing! Glad I watched this since I'm involved in ballet
I love how she could sit in the splits like it was normal.😦
Is it just me or when they crack the shoes it’s so satisfying?!
I miss my Pointe days. Makes me sad that I had to give it up😩
Been dancing ballet for 9 years and I love it :D
are they interviewing her in a pantry?!
Skootle Bug lol I thought the same thing at first. I think those are jars of dyes for shoes and costumes. Looks like she us in a wardrobe or costume design area.
This is great! I hope to be a man on pointe on day, maybe the Royal Ballet will be into it by the time I am all grown up! Simply amazing videos on this channel.
What ballet is the music from, in the beginning of this video?
This is from Mayerling. For the ballet John Lanchbery arranged various works by Liszt; this music is from Lanchbery's orchestration of Liszt's Mephisto Waltz no.1.
+Royal Opera House Thank you!
I knew it could be hard on the shoes, but never realized just how much of a beating they could take and how many a dancer will go through in such a short span of time.
that pointe shoe she puts on at 2.14 looks way too big.. i wonder ifshe was just using it as an example and it wasnt one if hers... anyone else think the same?
Yes! I noticed too! I was looking for someone who saw it too, maybe it was just a random pair she grabbed
I was thinking the same thing
She was just using the shoe as an example I think. They are professionals and will have the correct fitting shoe to ensure that they aren't being injured while they are dancing. Xx
I don't think she was wearing her toe pads so thats probably why it's too big
I don't think she was wearing her toe pads so thats probably why it's too big
as a dancer, i sent this to all my guy friends. i know they watched because they all responded “sorry”
i watched this with a friend and when she said, "soft here *crunching sounds*" he looked extremely horrified
I love how all these comments are from years ago
No one:
Me trying to find the 2020 or 2019 comments:👁👃👁
👄
I love their accents! and just how professional they are!
I remember when my instructor told me I was ready for points then my mom stopped taking me 😢 she couldn’t afford ballet anymore..
The cracking of the ballet shoe is music
hey random people scrolling down the comments i just want to ask if whats the brand of your pointe shoes if your asking mine is Gaynor Minden
Mine are Bloch
Proflex
bloch. I just got them today and they are my first pair
bloch European Strong
freed of London
I admire ballerinas sacrifice they are so elegant and beautiful.
Yes take care of your feet...a good podiatrist is a way to make sure dancers feet are checked for strain on muscles and bones.
What type of pointe shoes does the company wear?
The Royal Ballet uses shoes by Bloch, Freed, Grishko, Gaynor Minden, Principal, Repetto, Sansha and So Danca.
I believe the majority of the company wears Freeds.
Here's to all of us that ballet studio's throw out for having completely flat feet and tell us we are never going to be good enough even for flat work, never point
MultiPikaBlue that's not true! So many dancers on pointe have flat feet!
I started ballet a few days ago and I’m so excited for pointe
if you want to prepare make sure to strengthen your feet everyday! good luck
i wonder if pointe shoes and ballet do as much damage to the feet as wearing hight heels?
they do, trust me😂
More
not if you're light weight and petit
Just google ballerinas' feet, that'll give you an idea how much the feet and ankles go through...
Much more!!!!!!
Why is this so satisfying.