How long does it take to start beginning ballet and get to pointe?

Shae J: How long does it take to start beginning ballet and get to pointe?
I’m 14, and I’d like to learn pointe. So that means I have to take ballet first. And I don’t have any experience with dance. My friend who’s 17 and has been taking ballet since she was real little and saw me fooling around standing on my tip-toes and said I would do well with ballet/pointe. How long would it take for me to start ballet and get to pointe?

Answers and Views:

Answer by flap_ballchange
I started pre pointe training at age 11, 8 years after I first started dancing. You must have a good knowledge in ballet before you even try to go “en pointe.” If you don’t have the strenth or definition of the muscles in your feet, you could seriously injure yourself by putting on someone else’s pointe shoes. It looks like fun, but you must have extensive training before you think about going to an adavnced level.

Answer by Mante
i agree. u have to know ballet REAL well before starting pointe. i was dancing ballet since i was a lil kid and i only got on pointe a couple of years ago. (im 14 at the moment) pointe requires a lot of strength in all of ur muscles. ur back and arms have to be strong as well as ur feet and legs. it also depends on the teacher and if she thinks ur ready for pointe or not.

Answer by ♥ juicy couture ♥
i started “ballet” when i was three and got on pointe when i was 11

you would probally get to pointe when you are like 16 or 17.

Answer by leapnjen
like 1 or 2 years with intense training.

Answer by Robin K
The time it takes to get from beginning ballet to pointe will depend on several things…

1. how often you take class – at least 3x a week, with 4 or 5 classes a week you’ll make faster progress

2. how strong and/or stable your body already is — though you will be learning to use your muscles a different way than you do playing sports

3. how well you apply yourself to learning correct technique and placement (posture); you have to be your own “policeman”

Generally, I’d expect at least two years of “serious” training before you’re ready for pointe.

example: Sharon Meko, who directs ballet etudes in Mesa AZ, was a fellow student with me, and she was about 16 when she began pointe work… so you’re not too old to start!

Answer by Charlotte Y
It takes about 8 years ( maybe). I started when I was 4 and I’m about to start with learning it. And if you don’t get on you pointe that fast, don’t get discouraged!! It takes years of training and practice!!