Looking for pointe classes

[Guest shellbell]

Hello everyone!! I am in my last semester at the University of New Hampshire and have enjoyed taking ballet classes each semester. I am excited to graduate but sad to leave ballet. I was wondering if anyone knew of any ballet schools (in the northern massachusetts area) that teach ballet to older girls; I am 21. I don't want to have to make the ajdustment of working full time without being able to run off to a ballet class to destress. I have only taken two pointe classes so I am fairly new. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any studios that teach pointe to my age group? Help??

[Victoria Leigh]

Hello shellbell, and welcome to Ballet Talk for Dancers!

 

How close are you to Boston? There are lots of classes at Boston Ballet, Mateo's Ballet Theatre of Boston, and probably several other places in that city. I don't know much about classes anywhere outside of the city though.

[Guest Chedva]

(moderators, please delete if inappropriate for me to post here)

Are you close to Portsmouth? I don't know how good they are, but Ballet New England offers adult classes. Here's their website: Ballet New England

[Guest shellbell]

I live in Portsmouth right now, but I am graduating in December and moving home which is about 20 minutes north of Boston. I will check out the Mateo's Ballet Theatre. Thanks. Are there any others that teach beginner pointe to older girls??

 

Thanks again for the suggestions!!

[dido]

Jose Mateo's has wonderful open class programs, with wonderful teachers and I can't reccomend them highly enough; however they don't offer an open pointe class. The only open pointe class that I'm aware of in the Boston Area is at the Dance Complex on Sundays.

 

Most of the people I know starting pointe late (including myself) and relying on open classes use a mixture of "private" lessons split between 2-4 people and pointe shoes in technique class.

 

However, Mateo does have a regular school that offers "normal" classes including plenty of pointe classes and being a lot younger than me you may be able to register for those.

 

Hope that helps.

[Guest shellbell]

Thank you so much you have been so helpful, I am going to look into the pointe class schedule for Mateo. I am very excited to continue my pointe lessons!!!

[lampwick]

*knock knock*

 

shellbell,

I danced at UNH too (1993-1997)! Larry is such a good teacher, and a really nice guy. You just brought back lots of memories for me.

 

One of the best dancers while I was at UNH trained with Jose Mateo, and I've met a few other over the years from that school who are quite good. It's a pretty environment as well (in an old church near Harvard square)

 

Ballet New England had solid classes when I went there after graduating from UNH.

 

I used to attend this tiny little school in Chelmsford, Massachusettes which produced the most amazing students you've ever seen (we're talking SAB quality). Judith Koeckhoven is the teacher. I remember she was very tough and strict with dress code and stuff, but got amazing results. Can't find the website now, but there used to be dedicated pointe classes at a couple different levels.

 

There's lots in Southern NH (Nashua) as well.

[Guest shellbell]

lampwick,

Yes Larry is a lot of fun; UNH is lucky to have him up there. Thanks for the suggestions, now it's just trying to figure out what my work schedule will be so I can plan when to take my classes. I definitely will look into that Chelmsford studio because I think I may be working in Billerica and that is right next store, it would be very convenient.

 

Thanks again!