I’m not a dancer-I’m a classical musician-but I adore dance, especially Balanchine and City Ballet. It’s so neat to have a look inside the the world of dance from your perspective...it’s all so mysterious from the outside. You impress with your kindness and openness about your experiences. I’m sure that young dancers will find this enormously inspiring and reassuring. Thank you for taking the time to reach out!
Such a gorgeous dancer, with such beautiful feet! I haven't been en pointe for 35+ years, and then just as a serious student, never a pro. But I'll always love "behind the scenes" peeks. It's so generous of you as a NY City Ballet principal to share a little of your prep routine with your fans. Thank you!
I TIE MY RIBBONS THE WAY YOU DO AS WELL OMG AND I HAVE NEVER MET OR SEEN ANYONE ELSE DO IT LIKE THAT!!! I was always so paranoid about having my ribbons come out and I also didn't like how bumpy and messy it looked either so a couple years ago, I started experimenting with how I tie my shoes and I have been tying them like that ever since! I have never had my ribbons come out AT ALL in all my years of dancing despite not sewing through them for performances (I don't like sewing through them bc it makes me feel trapped (it's just this thing I have aha))! I never guessed that the star of the first ballet video I ever watched (your 2012 pointe shoe video which I still watch and love!) would tie her shoes the same way!! Such a pleasant surprise! Absolutely made my day hehe
Smacking and abusing your pointe shoes is very mentally therapeutic... You can get even for all the abuse your body has had to endure but you can't be put behind bars for perpetrating such pointe shoes abuse... Only a ballet barre, for more torture...I often wondered why we do certain things... Like ballet, at such pain... But it's great to know you can dowhat most can't. Even if you are not a star, just like an art andcouldn'tcare lessif younevermade itto the big stage, with adoring audiences applauding you etc etc. Art for the sheer hell of it!
I used to love standing on mine and listening to the crack.....when I was dancing, (many years ago)we only had lambswool to wrap around our toes covered by a toe puff. I miss those days, especially bc severe osteoarthritis in both my knees has left me barely able to walk. I was put on pointe far too early. Best of luck with your dancing Sophia.
I absolutely love watching a master of a craft do something they’ve done a thousand times. The deft tuck of the knotted ribbons spoke to years of dedication and hard work. Brava!!
I started hunting on RU-vid for videos about ballet about 6 years ago. One of my favorite videos that I go back and rewatch every so often is your pointe shoes video from 2012. It's fun to see an update on your shoes. :)
I am so fascinated with how dancers customize their shoes. I was told at the dance studio i wasnt allowed to do even regular ballet because i was too “big” so imhad to take other classes. Ballet is such a beautiful art.
I don't watch ballet and had no desire to dance ballet, but love these videos! So educational. Probably a good thing that I didn't dance ballet....I can see how ballet shoes would be an addiction.
Hi Megan I got to see you live on Saturday at the MND matinee. You were amazing. You made me see everything about the ballet in a whole new way with your interviews!
thanks megan, this helped a lot especially since i have trouble knowing where to bend my shoe. you’re an amazing ballerina and i hope all is well with you and your family! ❤️❤️
All the years of struggling to tuck ribbons in - this is so easy thank you. Now my 11 year old can easily tie her pointe shoes which she needs to everyday at vocational school x
i was fascinated with your entire being, you're just very personable & i felt as if you were speaking ONLY to me. im not a ballerina but you make me want to delve into that world.
I just made a pointe prep video and its 45 minutes long... Yours is much more concise, and your feet and incredible-er. I have that same kind of shape to my right foot, and I still try to twist it back. I'm now inspired to try these new pads.
This was so interesting and mesmerizing. I always wanted to dance but never had the opportunity nor the flexibility. Congrats to you and all your hard work.
So helpful! have huge tailors bunions on both feet so my feet always look sickled. I have the perfect fit pads but next time will definitely try putting the putty more on the outside like you did!
Does your 3/4 of the shank help with the shoes lasting a smidge longer? I just started working in a pair of Freed shoes after years in Grishko. I have narrow low profile feet. Thank you for this video!
I watched a video on the making of those foam pads and how much it helps the integrity of a dancers foot (specifically the big toe)...it gives a much better evenly distribution of weight so youre not killing your big toe...and a dancers foot can last much longer. I think it should be given out with each pair of shoes
So excited about your channel! You inspired me very much during and after your pregnancy- would love if you could share your post-partum excercises and journey (fellow sectio mum here 🙋🏻♀️). Best wishes to you and your family!
Hello Megan! I am super happy to have possibility to observe you as a dancer and now to do my ballet class with you. I wonder for 2 things because i did notice them while you do your class. First thing is lifting heels in demi plies and second thing is lifting heel of supporting leg when you close to 5th position for example in tendus. Why like that, what is is giving? Many greetings and thank yolu for your beautiful art. And i love your talk show. It is so so so inspiring for me as i am also a dancer. Love from Poland!
I'm trying not to bend my knee when I close fifth. It's not a perfect fix, but it helps to keep my inner thighs engaged. And I keep my weight really over my toes, so that is why a slight lift. If you can avoid it it's better, but if you have to choose between bending the working knee as you come in, or lifting up on the supporting leg to make space, I would choose the second. I also have a leg length difference so fifth is very different to close on both sides for me.
Thanks so much for this! Ballet tips & tricks are always great. Just curious, how you feel about a Gaynor Mindon? I feel like I prefer the traditional materials used in a shoe over what a gaynor is made up of. I have a new pair that are actually not the correct fit., but even still, the more I play around with them I find I don’t like them. They seem excessively hard to break them in. What’s your opinion?
Ik this was a year ago but I cracked the shank on my point shoes which is good but now I can see the nail from inside the point shoe so. I think the nail ripped out a little too. I don’t feel it when wearing it but should I be worried ??
I don't put any putty on my big toe for that exact reason. It just depends on your comfort level with feeling the floor. I like to feel the floor, some people want cushion. That's what is great, you can customize for every need.
Perfect pointe fit is great except my feet sweat too much it starts to become very slippery inside the insert very quickly... But never heard anybody else complain... Guess I just sweat more than most of the ppl 😅😅 okei it's embarrassing... Thanks for the Video tho! 💐
I use rosin on my toes before I put them in the inserts usually!!! I find them slippery too. I think another dancer puts them in the wash and they come out less slippery.
I have a maybe stupid question but I'm not a dancer so I'm unfamiliar with this stuff...if so many specifications about the shoe can be sent to the maker so that the shoe fits exactly right, why can't the dancers send exact specifications about how they want the ribbons on the shoe, and have the shoes sent with the ribbons or elastic or whatever already on them? Wouldn't that save the dancers an immense amount of time on sewing and preparing their shoes considering the amount of shoes they go through?
How do you save enough money for pointe shoes? I am thirteen and I and really worried about my parents. I'm going to get as many jobs as possible this summer, walking dogs and washing cars I think. Will it be enough? I'm going to be en pointe sooo much this summer, so I am really nervous about wearing out my pointe shoes because they cost so much. I'm not willing to dance on dead shoes because medical bills are even more insane, but how do you make enough money? I need tips for this because come the school year, I won't be able to juggle dance, school, friends, family, and one job, let alone another. What should I do? My parents are really strong financially but these shoes... They just cost so much. It scares me.
I would say please as a beginner on pointe do not do anything extreme to your shoes. Do not step on the box without a foot in it. I have put on my shoes then stepped on them. It gives more width. Do not give yourself a 3/4 shank. Do not bend the shank in half. You can play with your padding and how you sew the ribbon and elastic. Before you do anything permanent please talk to you teacher. Or an experienced dancer friend with a similar foot or similar shoe.
You are so great Meghan. Such a great demonstration. Is it possible for the maker to cut the shank already just how you like it? Your beautiful lithe dancer's body and gorgeous feet.
This is terrible, actually hell ! Why can’t they make ballet shoes with the elastic and ribbons already on them plus made properly so no one would have to go through this ridiculous process.
