Rosy Garcia (09/27/98)
Comments: It's great having a page for dancers, I'd suggest to include a chat room to exchange experiences between more experienced dancers and not so experienced... Also I'd like a guide with summer courses yet in NY, Boston or even Vienna, with prices, teachers nd wich ones would be better for anyone Thank you! Rosy

I'm working on an e-mail list for those of you who wish to contact each other. As for your other suggestion, here's a list of some dance schools in the US and worldwide...you should contact them for information on summer courses.

Laura Schmuck (09/10/98)
Comments: I enjoyed the site, especially the history of pointe I do have one question. What is the general guideline for buying regular ballet shoes? Should they be 2 sizes smaller than street shoes? I am interested the the Block split sole. Thanks in advance. Regards, Laura

I am not an expert on the way ballet slippers should fit, but I think the fit should depend on how you like them. I like them fairly tight, but I know a girl who likes the "painted on" look, so she buys them tight enough to almost cut off her circulation. If you have absolutely no idea what size you like, ask your teacher and the sales person what they recommend. A qualified shoe fitter at a dance supply store should be able to answer any questions you have.

Jennifer Andrews (07/30/98)
Comments: I've been teaching dance for 4 years now but I haven't taken class myself in about 3 years. I've been Having a family of my own. So I am teaching some ballet this year starting in Sept. and I'm Really nerves. I Need a Book that Will go over what terms. an steps children should know at what age. Can you please help me and let me know what books would fit my needs. Thanks

There are a few books you might want to try: Teaching Classical Ballet, Step-By-Step Ballet Class : The Official Illustrated Guide, or Teaching Ballet Technique.

Jamie Robertson (07/19/98)
Comments:
Lovely sight.....very well presented, necessary information for all ballet students. This info should be made available to every ballet school. Could you please list the names of pointe shoe suppliers here in Australia. Is that possible? I love ballet and hope to persue a career in that field. There is a lot of hard work ahead of me but I have the determination, and a high standard of performence. Thanks again for your sight. Jamie

Here's a list of dancewear retailers. Some of them are online catalogues, others are the website of retailers, which will list store locations where you can get pointe shoes.

Melissa (06/12/98)
Comments: I thought this page was really cool. I just did my hypercard project on ballet, I wish I'd found this before. It seems like you put alot of work into this & it looks really marvelous. I found the How To Choose a College part really helpful. I've been thinking about going to college for more ballet experience but it seems like a big chance to me. My parents have really been pushing me to pick a career, though. What do you think? Thanks for some wonderful reading!

Life isn't worth living if you don't take chances...if you want to dance in college, go ahead! A great thing about living in this age is that you can dance and go to college. It is no longer one or the other. A college education is invaluable, so look in the college guide for a school that offers a dance program, and you can get a great education while dancing. Just remember to pursue your dreams and do whatever you love!

Liza Herrera (06/12/98)
Comments: Thanks for such a nice web site. I'm a mother of a dancer (she's a ballet fanatic). She's been dancing since she was 3 (for fun) and hasn't stopped yet. I'm trying to understand her obsession and respect her love for the art. Can children at this age really love it this much !!!! I was just wondering if you had similar feelings about dance at such a young age. Thanks for your time.

An obsession with dance is very common among young girls. I didn't start dancing until I was eleven years old, so my obsession began a little later than your daughter's. I think it's wonderful that you're trying to understand her love for dance. I heard a saying somewhere that behind every great dancer is her mother, the one who pushes her.
If you want to read more about the parent of a dancer's reponsibilities, I recommend you read The Parents' Book of Ballet. I must warn you, though. It tends to stereotype dancers a bit. For example, it states that all young dancers think they're fat (not true!!). However, it does explain why many young girls are obsessed with dancing, so it is a good book to read. Just be sure to keep in mind that not everything in the book is realistic.

Cat (06/09/98)
Comments: I recently found myself interested in ballet....but I know very little about it. Your page informed me a little bit about it but I still have many questions...like if your 18 are u too old to learn it...and do they have any schools in Idaho?

There are couple sites that you should visit...they'll answer your questions better than I can. Try Blue Diamond (a site for adult dancers) and Pavlolva's Dog (a hilarious site made buy a man who began ballet training as an adult). As for your question about dance schools in Idaho, pick up an issue of Dance Magazine and look in the back for the dance school index. Good luck! ~delilah