At the Linda Jamieson School of Dance, students have the opportunity to progress through the graded curriculum set forth by the Royal Academy of Ballet. Students may begin pointe work at the Linda Jamieson School of Dance when they enter the pre-professional senior program and secure teacher consent.

1. Methods for Correct Fitting of Pointe
Shoes
Linda Jamieson, School of Dance

2. Introduction
 At the Linda Jamieson School of Dance, students have the
opportunity to progress through the graded curriculum set forth
by the Royal Academy of Ballet. Students may begin pointe
work at the Linda Jamieson School of Dance when they enter
the pre-professional senior program and secure teacher
consent.
A dancer's first pair of pointe shoes is a major milestone, and it
is, therefore, vitally important to fit this first pair of shoes
correctly.
When the dancer is standing on flat feet, the toes should be
straight and touching the interior of the toe box. If the shoe
forces the toes to curl inward or if the skin spreads over the
edge of the shoe, the shoe is too small. The toes should
remain straight when the dancer performs a plié in second
position, at which time the toes should touch the end of the
box when the plié is at its deepest.
The shoe should hold the foot snugly when the dancer goes
en pointe.

3. Pointe Shoes
 The dancer can check this fit by shifting onto one foot and
pressing down gently into the box of the other shoe. The top of
the foot should not bulge, nor should there be too much satin
behind the heel. The wings should support both the big and
little toes.
The length of the shoe is correct if the end of the shank comes
nearly to the edge of the heel. A long shank is indicated when
the satin bags at the back of the heel, while a short shank may
cause the satin to pull down and the foot to be unstable. A
sufficiently long vamp is also necessary to hold the front of the
foot steady, yet it should not be so long that it interferes with
smooth rising through demi pointe.
The dancer should expect to spend about an hour fitting the
first pair of shoes. It is best if an experienced dancer or
teacher can assist with the process. The dancer should also
ask for advice about correct padding, which she should wear
during the fitting to ensure accurate measuring.