No two pairs of pointe shoes are the same, from their shanks to their boxes, their color to their shine. To make an array of shoes more uniform or to get them to a shade closer to your skin tone, dance teachers might ask that you “pancake” your pointe shoes before going onstage. But what […]
When Kelly Schmutte started dancing on pointe in fifth grade, she felt like there had to be a way to make it feel more natural. Right away she began thinking about how to improve the experience. “I wondered if there was a way to make it more enjoyable, so that a dancer could focus on […]
In our “Dear Katie” series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email dearkatie@dancespirit.com for a chance to be featured!
Ah, the quest for the perfect, foot-flattering, technique-enhancing pointe shoe: It can feel like a never-ending saga. Still on the hunt for that ideal pair? Then you won’t want to miss The School at Steps‘ annual Pointe Shoe Workshop and Fair, happening this Sunday, April 22nd, at 6:30 pm in NYC. As always, the event—which […]
Ballet is so beautiful…and SO STUPID HARD. Are you an aspiring ballerina? Here are 10 struggles you probably deal with every single day. There Are Never Enough Bobby Pins When you’re wearing buns 24/7, it seems like no matter how many bobby pins you buy, they disappear almost instantly. (Seriously, though: Where do they all […]
Let’s be real—as much as we love dance, there are days where the pain and discouragement that come from perfecting our craft can make us question why we do what we do. Well, five principal dancers of the Czech National Ballet got on our level and revealed that pain and pressure are as much a […]
Deep in the basement of Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater is a small, windowless space that’s home to nearly 6,000 pairs of pointe shoes, neatly stacked on shelves that reach to the ceiling. It’s New York City Ballet’s shoe room, and for company members, it’s one of the most important places in the world. […]
Bring serious edge to your next barre in cool-girl classwear. Modeled by Morgan Quinn Photography by Kenneth Edwards Bloch Inc. leotard and tights Just for Kix leotard AinslieWear leotard Grishko unitard So Dança leotard, Discount Dance Supply leggings A version of this story appeared in the March 2018 issue of Dance Spirit with the title […]