Just as the rain cleared on a recent Sunday morning, an eclectic group of ballerinas gathered on the fifth floor of Ailey Studios in Midtown Manhattan. None were ballet dancers by trade. But as they moved around the studio, unfolding their limbs with practice and grace, it was obvious that ballet lives in each of their bodies.

This is a rehearsal for the Ballet Salon, a new company designed to provide a space for lapsed dancers to return to the art form. On Monday, at the Gibney Theater at the Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center, the company will have its formal debut as part of a two-night engagement. Most of these dancers haven’t performed in years.

The company was founded last year by two former pre-professional ballet dancers, Meiying Thai and Adriana Gramly. “At the time I quit ballet, nobody really gave me other options for how to have a life filled with dance,” said Thai, who had been a student at the School of American Ballet. “I didn’t really have an entry point back in.”

Access full gift article, NO PAYWALL.

Out with the old, in with the new 💞

I'm an adult beginner and as my first ever pointe shoes I had GMs, which lasted for 2.5years with about one pointe class a week (otherwise around 2-3 ballet classes with barre and stretching). My teacher noted the shank had gone loose inside and the fitter noticed the bubbling (can be seen in the photo) which meant they had died, apparently. I wasnt sure what dead Mindens are like, even with research, as theyre not the same as traditional pointe shoes. However, I've progressed during this time and felt like they didnt support me and just werent the right fit anymore?

The fitter (who fitted my first ones too) first tried on the yellow GMs but they bent like socks, and we were both shook. In the end I left with Bloch European balance with the strong shank. I am hypermobile and as Ive progressed it seemed that I need that harder support, as I can articulate my feet better now. I feel accomplished because for the longest time I used to believe my noodle like limbs were something I couldnt help as my body type is naturally quite slender - not at all easy to put on muscle. My flexibility is def more of "my thing" but noticing Ive gotten some strength gives me so much more inspiration to keep going! My fitter/teacher also said my feet had gone through a metamorphosis. Even though the new shoe is entirely different, they feel amazing! Wish me luck though, might have to build even more strength to dance with these. I have not bent or softened them because I want to try to do that with my training🤣

Hello! Does anyone know where this Leo is from?

Hello! I was wondering what youtube channels would you guys reccomend for ballet, I did grade 3 in ballet a year back when I just started it but for financial situations I can't afford classes anymore, I want and plan on returning but for the mean time I don't wanna loose my progress and if I can get better while I focus on college I would love to know what channels do you guys recommend or have worked for you!! Thank you so muchhh!

So i noticed some pain in my ankle this ballet class and a girl suggested i should tape my ankle i’ve never done anything like that so i need help.

The strongest pain is is like when i bend my foot on the fr and it travels to like the outside of my foot it’s strongest right where i bend my foot but a little bellow.

And the other pain ,wich was a lot ligher is like around my achilles tendon and like net to it when i pointed my foot or went on demi point. But this one stoped and i believe it was already gone by the point i did pointe shoes.

I hope someone can help and that this is the right subreddit for this questio.

Does anyone have any ballet slipper recommendations for short, wide feet? Normally I love my Bloch performas but I had to take a break from dance for a little while, then when I put them back on they felt so tight and my feet were cramping. I’m already wearing a wide size in them.

Hi! I’m 27 and started ballet about 6 weeks ago, with no previous dance background. There are no adult classes near me, so I take live online classes. We’re a group of 5 and the teacher does give corrections, but there isn’t time to build a very individualized plan of exercises for each of us, so I’m asking here. Photos of my pointed foot are attached.

Please be brutally honest.

About my feet:

• Roman/square foot, very short toes, small (EU 35, about US women’s 5)
• When I point, the last joint of my big toe doesn’t bend and actually stays slightly turned up

Beyond that, I honestly don’t know what my specific weaknesses are. I’m too new to tell what to look for.

Exercises: my teacher gave us about 12. The main ones are resisted point/flex with a theraband, doming (short foot exercise), resisted inversion/eversion, toe yoga (toe splay, piano toes), a kneeling theraband exercise, resisted pointing lying on my back, and quick toe presses.

Doing them all on both sides takes 25+ minutes. I can only give my feet about 10 minutes, 4 times a week, because I’m also doing Pilates and turnout work.

My questions:

1. Looking at the photos, what are the most important issues with my feet, in order of priority? Am I missing something, or worrying about the wrong things?
2. Which exercises (from this list or others) would best target those issues? Is the turned-up big toe normal, and can it be trained?
3. Are my feet average for an adult beginner, or well below?
4. How much can feet like mine realistically improve with consistent training?
5. I’d love to do some basic barre work en pointe in 2–3 years, if my teacher agrees. Looking only at my feet (I know strength, technique and other factors matter too), does anything make that unrealistic?
6. My shoes are So Danca split-sole ballet slippers in non-stretch canvas. They feel tight, and my toes press against the fabric, especially in demi-plié. But in the photos they look baggy, with wrinkles around the toes. I honestly don’t know what a good fit is supposed to feel like. Do they fit, or should I try a different size or a stretch canvas model?

Thanks!

I have an option to purchase seats up close or a little farther back and I’m torn. I hear up close you can see expressions, costumes etc… but a little farther back you can see the entire stage and the formations of the all the swans better.

I could really use some input. I need to purchase tickets today to get these seats.

I rented a videotaped performance like that when I was in Kindergarten, but I understand that's not the norm. Please provide images if you can.

hi all!!! i got a couple studio pros in london a few weeks ago to restock ahead of my school's nutcracker season, but as i pulled em out of the bag ahead of sewing i noticed they have an A in the sole when my old pair has a Z.

im genuinely curious if it means anything bc they feel the exact same as my january pair

I’ve been in and out of ballet for the past few years - my biggest point of frustration is that concepts like “inside vs outside” don’t really click in my brain. I get told consistently that I have great technique (I’ve worked really hard on my feet!) but the arms and directions just do not click for me.

It’s especially hard for me to understand pirouettes and what foot I’m picking up, what direction I’m turning in etc. Do you have any tips on remembering what arms to use for what, how to remember which foot to pick up etc.

Thank you!!!

I recently started taking adult ballet classes, I took ballet for almost 15 years when I was younger and this is my first time back in about 8 years. I am having such a hard time looking at myself in the mirror. All the movements feel the same just like when I was a teenager but the woman in the mirror is a completely different person. All my lines look off because i don’t weigh 100 pounds anymore. Pliés look weird with my thick thighs, everything just looks wrong. I can’t help comparing myself to others in my class. I realized last night that I’m the only one with hip dips. I feel like an alien in my own body. I just can’t reckon with the fact that while I may still be able to do the same ballet I did as a skinny teenager, I look completely different. I’m almost shocked every time I turn to the mirror and see what I actually look like.
Is there some way I can reframe my thinking? I know I should be grateful to be able to move my body at all and I’m lucky to continue ballet. However, I have such complicated feelings regarding it now. I never want to go to class and have walked home in tears a few times after being stuck in my head about what I look like.

When you think of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the organization’s viral social media videos of young dancers performing classical ballet variations, with soaring lines and platter tutus, may come to mind. But YAGP’s performances in the Doris Duke Theatre in October 2026 show a different side of the organization—instead of a competition, YAGP is bringing Fresh Voices in Dance, a program including nine world premiere ballets created by the inaugural recipients of their new choreographic fellowship.

These performances mark the first-ever public presentation of the fellowship, providing a platform for choreographers to get their work in front of audiences, as well as giving public performance opportunities to the young dancers they partner with.

Read more about this weekend's performances here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/blog/youth-america-grand-prix-and-davidson-farias/

Hello! I am finishing a novel about the last ballet theater in New York City, set in a world that has begun to favor technology over fine art.

I'm looking for someone with professional ballet experience who'd be willing to check the book for dance-related inaccuracies and blindspots.

I need someone who enjoys reading and can get a review back within a month. This is a paid opportunity. If you're interested, please DM me with information about your dance experience.

Thank you!

I see a lot of people wearing stirrup tights with the cuff/tight part around the arch cut off, what’s the benefit of this?

I feel like the director at my studio is not treating me well because of my appearance. I will admit that I don't have the stereotypical "ballet body", but I am not overweight. I have struggled with body image my whole life and had an eating disorder for years that I still kind of struggle with. Recently, I have not been given the same roles or opportunities as girls who are skinnier than I am. Should I question the director about this? Like, is it okay to ask why I am not being given the same roles as girls in my level and who are my age? It makes me dread going to the studio and is making my self-image a lot worse. I am honestly considering quitting because there aren't any other ballet studios in my area, unless I drive an two hours everyday.

My teachers always say I have a great turn out, but I’m not sure how to use that to my advantage. What should I do?

I’m in my 30s.

empecé ballet a mis 24 años y me ha encantado, llevo 2 meses y voy 2 veces a la semana y acompaño con entrenamiento de fuerza 3 veces a la semana.

participaré en una función de mi academia en enero.

igualmente, he estado viendo opciones para estudiar fuera ballet tipo internados ya que (desde afuera, ya que no sé cómo será en la practica) se ve muy completa esa experiencia, pero repito, solo lo he leído en libros, visto en videos y películas.

hay alguna opción de algo parecido para +24? o algún curso intensivo que recomienden, en cualquier parte del mundo, para saber más y todos los comentarios los agradezco mucho!

Hi, I’m looking for a performance of the part after 6:43 in this track. The part before is widely known as the pas de action, but the music always stops before the faster cheerful ending. Is this part not choreographed at all? It seems only some companies perform it. Where can I find any recordings of it being performed? Thank you

https://youtu.be/LrCa887ufQY?si=pWxiE_DP5e4Y865e

VIII. No. 13, Danses des cygnes - V. Pas d'action (Odette et le prince) [Andante - Andante non troppo - Allegro]

Bloch Heritage vs. European Balance sizing
Hi! I need some advice on sizing for Bloch pointe shoes.
I have a pair of Bloch European Balance in size 3.5, but they’re too small for my feet. I also have a pair of Bloch Heritage in size 4, which feel slightly too big.
I’m wondering if the sizing is different between these two models. Would a size 3.5 in the Heritage fit differently from a size 3.5 in the European Balance? Or would it probably be too small as well?
If you’ve tried both models, I’d really appreciate hearing about your experience with the sizing and fit. Thank you!

The Royal Opera Ballet is doing Swan Lake , my favorite ballet, in Spring 2027. Natalia Osipova, one of my favorite ballerina, is dancing Odile/Odette on my birthday. I am US based.

Do you think it would be worth it to fly to London to see my favorite ballerina dance my favorite ballet on my birthday? Osipova is 40, right?

I just received an order of pointe shoes and they have two fairly big stains on the side of the box. Is this normal or should I contact the place I ordered them from?