DWC How To's: The Difference Between Demi and Pointe Shoes
While they look very similar, demi-pointe and pointe shoes are actually incredibly different! Demi-pointes are a training shoe to help build your strength and get your toes and feet ready for the real deal. For many they are an important and necessary tool to use before stepping into a pair of pointe shoes.
By Emma Neilson, DWC Social Media Manager
While they look very similar, demi-pointe and pointe shoes are actually incredibly different! Demi-pointes are a training shoe to help build your strength and get your toes and feet ready for the real deal. For many they are an important and necessary tool to use before stepping into a pair of pointe shoes. Some teachers won’t even let students use pointe shoes until they’ve trained in demi-pointes for many months. We are happy to help you find the best fit in either of our locations schedule an appointment to get your demi-pointe shoes fit!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
A DWC Back-to-School Shopping Guide
Just like that: back-to-school season is upon us! And as the summer winds to a close and students start stocking their pencil cases, that also means back to dance season is upon us. Back to dance season often calls for a trip to the dancewear store, as young kids grow out of their old leotards, and older dancers wear out their favorite dancing shoes. As always, Dancewear Center strives to set all dancers up for success year-round, and the back-to-school season is no exception. Here are some of our back-to-dance season must-haves!
Our Must-Have Picks For Fall
By Madison Huizinga & Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Editor
Just like that: back-to-school season is upon us! And as the summer winds to a close and students start stocking their pencil cases, that also means back to dance season is upon us. Back to dance season often calls for a trip to the dancewear store, as young kids grow out of their old leotards, and older dancers wear out their favorite dancing shoes. As always, Dancewear Center strives to set all dancers up for success year-round, and the back-to-school season is no exception. Here are some of our back-to-dance season must-haves!
Basic Leotards
We love our fashion leotards just as much as the next dancer here at DWC. At the same time, we know that some dress codes are a bit more specific about what they expect students to wear. That’s why we’ve got our local community covered, offering leotards in camisole styles, tank styles, cap sleeves, long sleeves, and more in a variety of colors for both children and adults. We also offer a selection of basics for men, including leotards and dance shirts.
Tights
As a dancer, tights are an item I simply cannot have enough of. Having extra tights on hand is not only helpful in case of emergencies at performances and competitions, but also during a hefty class and rehearsal load each week. At DWC, we have an abundance of classic transition tights, perfect for the busy ballerina. We also carry footed tights, footless tights, fishnets, and men’s tights, so there is an option for whichever genre you’re exploring.
Hanami Stretch Canvas Ballet Shoe
For those taking ballet classes, having a trustworthy pair of ballet slippers is of the utmost importance. Of all the fabulous ballet slippers Dancewear Center carries, the ones I swear by are the Hanami Stretch Canvas Ballet Shoes by Capezio. With its soft canvas fabric, this ballet slipper stretches around the foot and holds it firmly, similar to a sock. The split sole of the ballet shoe allows for a seamless line when pointing the foot, and the no-drawstring design makes it completely hassle-free. This ballet slipper simply cannot be recommended enough!
Warm-Ups
As the temperatures outside begin cooling down and dancers have more and more downtime in between classes and rehearsals, it’s important that they wear clothes that keep their muscles warm when they are resting. A wrap sweater is a classic option for bunheads, whereas the Dancewear Center hoodie is sure to keep you warm in the studio and at home. As far as pants go, the Eurotard Ripstop Warm-Up Pants are sure to keep dancers’ muscles insulated with heat, and the Claudia Dean World Tracksuit Pants are the perfect option for staying cozy.
Dance Bags
Back-to-school season is also the perfect time for dancers to try out a new dance bag to carry all their new goodies for the dance season ahead. The AK Multi-Purpose Backpack by AK Dancewear has all the features a dancer needs, including numerous pockets, an air-ventilated shoe compartment at the bottom of the bag, a padded zipper compartment for electronic devices, and a separate wet zipper pocket for temporary sweaty gear. The Claudia Dean World Pro Bag by Claudia Dean World similarly has an abundance of storage space, and insulation, and is complete with adorable rose gold detailing. Or this stylish RP Origami bag!
Tiger Balm
Tiger balm is a topical ointment that is aimed to help relieve sore muscles for dancers and hurt areas on the dancer’s body. This product is perfect for use after a rough class or rehearsal where the body needs a little love. You can keep this product in your dance bag for easy access after summer classes that leave muscles feeling sore. Shop for this product in store at either Dancewear Center location!
Capezio Ballerina Girl Water Bottle
Coming back to dance after a break requires dancers to make sure that they are keeping hydrated. The Capezio Ballerina Girl Water Bottle is perfect for this! This stainless steel water bottle is lightweight and small so it is perfect to travel with and includes a convenient clip on the lid to attach to your favorite dance bag. Be sure to stay hydrated dancers!
Hair Supplies
Every dancer knows the struggle of reaching into their dance bag, looking for the right materials to make the perfect bun and finding…nothing. All of the hair ties, bobby pins and hair nets fall deep into the abyss that is the dance bag. So, in order to be prepared for the inevitable, extra hair ties, hair nets and bobby pins are a must to get through the rough first classes back. DWC has all of your needs covered with different styles and brands to choose from in store or online!
The Flexistretcher
As you are coming back from the off-season you may have lost a little flexibility. Nothing to worry about! The Flexistretcher is designed for dancers to build flexibility safely and in control. With adjustable straps and padded brace, it will help you build your flexibility back and gain even more range than before! DWC also has you covered with how to videos to get you started with your Flexistretcher!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Tips For Preparing Your Pointe Shoes for Summer Ballet Intensives
An exciting summer of dancing is in store for many dancers this year with summer ballet intensives right around the corner. Intensives are a great way to challenge oneself, try new skills, meet new people, and experience different ballet styles. They are also called “intensives” for a reason, as dancers are typically dancing hours a day for weeks on end, sometimes in different states. At Dancewear Center, we want to make sure our customers are prepared for an exciting summer of dancing by providing them with the tips and supplies they need to be successful.
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Photo by Elena Kloppenburg from Unsplash
An exciting summer of dancing is in store for many dancers this year with summer ballet intensives right around the corner. Intensives are a great way to challenge oneself, try new skills, meet new people, and experience different ballet styles. They are also called “intensives” for a reason, as dancers are typically dancing hours a day for weeks on end, sometimes in different states. At Dancewear Center, we want to make sure our customers are prepared for an exciting summer of dancing by providing them with the tips and supplies they need to be successful.
An important part of preparing for summer ballet intensives is making sure your pointe shoes are prepared for long hours of dancing. Pointe shoes only last about 10-20 dancing hours on average. It’s helpful for dancers to take steps to prolong the life of their shoes, as dancing in dead shoes can have adverse effects on foot and ankle health. For instance, dancing in dead pointe shoes with little support overloads dancers’ joints and can change their center of gravity, which can make force unevenly distributed and excessively load the front of dancers’ feet. This can put dancers’ feet and ankles at risk for stress fractures, bunions, and more harmful injuries in the long run. See: “The Dangers of Dancing on Dead Pointe Shoes” by Dance Magazine
So, how can dancers prolong the life of their pointe shoes to prepare for upcoming summer ballet intensives?
Rotate Multiple Pairs of Shoes
Firstly, dancers can rotate their pointe shoes to keep them lasting longer. To do this, dancers can purchase multiple pairs of their pointe shoes, sew them, and alternate the ones they wear each day. It’s helpful to take into account the average lifespan of a pointe shoe (10-20 dancing hours) when determining how many pointe shoes one should bring to a summer ballet intensive.
Prepare for the Environment
Secondly, take into account the location where your summer ballet intensive will be held. In more humid environments, pointe shoes tend to die at faster rates. Considering pointe shoes are essentially made of layers of paper/cardboard and paste, exposing them to hot environments with high levels of moisture in the air will cause them to deteriorate quicker. So, if your summer intensive is located in some of the hotter and more humid areas of the United States, like Florida, Louisiana, or Hawaii, you may want to consider bringing along more pairs of pointe shoes to rotate throughout the intensive.
Photo by Michael Afonso from Unsplash
Dry Out Your Shoes
In addition, it’s helpful to dry out your pointe shoes when you’re not dancing in them to help slow their deterioration. One of the best ways to do this is not to leave your worn pointe shoes in your dance bag after class when you’re not wearing them. This creates a “sauna effect,” exposing your shoes to a stuffy, humid environment that can cause them to break down faster. When you’re not wearing your pointe shoes, take them out of your dance bag, don’t fold them inside one another, and lay them out to dry (it can take pointe shoes 48-72 hours to fully dry out!). When transporting pointe shoes to the studio, putting them in a mesh bag can help them aerate and keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent further deterioration. It’s also important to not leave pointe shoes in a car or any other environment that isn’t climate controlled.
Strategically Use Reinforcing Agents
There are some products you can purchase alongside your pointe shoes that will help extend their shelf life: one of which is Jet Glue. Where to apply Jet Glue varies slightly among dancers; however, the most common placement is on the outside and inside of the shoe’s shank, covering 1.5-2 inches where the arch breaks. Some dancers also put it on either side of the shank and in the box of their shoes. Before applying Jet Glue to your pointe shoes, we recommend consulting with a DWC fitter to see how you can best apply it to maximize the shoe’s support and integrity for your unique needs.
Schedule a Pointe Shoe Fitting
It’s especially important for dancers to touch base with a fitter before and/or during their summer intensives to ensure that they’re taking the best possible pointe shoes and products with them to help them feel supported. To prep for intensives, DWC fitters will ask dancers where their intensives are taking place, how their current shoes are breaking down, whether the intensive is requiring certain pointe shoes, how many pairs of shoes the dancer should bring, and more. DWC fitters can also help evaluate how dancers’ shoes are breaking down, recommend where to apply reinforcement agents like Jet Glue, and make sewing suggestions to help maximize the pointe shoe’s performance. Dancers can also discuss what their intensive workload will look like so fitters can potentially recommend different shoes for different activities, as some loads might require shoes with a harder or softer shank, for example.
Importantly, due to unfavorable supply chain circumstances, stock in some pointe shoe styles is limited. That’s why we recommend that dancers have backup options to assure they have shoes to take with them to the intensives.
Photo by Bruno Horwath from Unsplash
Schedule an Injury Risk Prevention Appointment with a Dance Medicine Specialist
Finally, it’s important that dancers are aware of any potential injury flare-ups that could come up when dancing long hours. For example, master pointe shoe fitter Josephine Lee of ThePointeShop says that issues like tendonitis can flare up during summer intensives because of the added workload on the feet. We recommend visiting a dance medicine specialist before heading to your summer intensive, as specialists can conduct body assessments, analyze what physical challenges you’ve been experiencing, which problems may potentially flare up, and give a specific plan to follow to help mitigate the risk of injury. Check out our dance medical specialists page on our website to find specialists in your area!
Summer intensives can be enriching experiences for dancers of all ages and technique levels. What makes them even more successful for dancers is ensuring that their pointe shoes are in the best condition they can be to support dancers’ feet. Be sure to book your pointe shoe fitting appointments at DWC today. Happy intensive season!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Don’t Do It Yourself Virtual Assistant Services
Here at Dancewear Center, we host a lunch and learn on the last Wednesday of every month where we bring in local experts in our community to give a presentation about their expertise in that field. Fortunately we get the opportunity to have Santina Rigano-Lesch be one of our presenters this month! She will be presenting on her business Don’t Do It Yourself Virtual Assistant Services (DDIYVAS). Read on to learn more about her dancing journey and more information on her business!
By Nicole Barrett, DWC Blog Writer
Here at Dancewear Center, we host a lunch and learn on the last Wednesday of every month where we bring in local experts in our community to give a presentation about their expertise in that field. Fortunately we get the opportunity to have Santina Rigano-Lesch be one of our presenters this month! She will be presenting on her business Don’t Do It Yourself Virtual Assistant Services (DDIYVAS). Read on to learn more about her dancing journey and more information on her business!
Santina was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. She shares that she came to America when she was 21 to become an au pair. Santina has been dancing her whole life since she was 4 years old and shares that her mother was the one that put her into dance classes. Because of this, Santina fell in love with dance and that became her passion. While in Australia, she shares that she studied various different dance styles, managed a performing arts company and coached national hip hop champions. When she moved to the states, she says that even as an au pair she was trying to insert herself into the dance scene to see what it was like here.
She later moved here to Seattle where she met her wife. After meeting her wife, Santina started a dance studio in West Seattle that allowed her to teach over 400 kids aged 2 to 12 and build a community atmosphere through her dance studio. The pandemic hit which unfortunately forced her to close the studio doors. This then lead her to start her two businesses she has today. Don’t Do It Yourself Virtual Assistant Services Santina says was built from the pandemic. She knew that as a studio owner herself, she struggled with the social media and virtual assistance aspect of the business. Her main goal with the business is to support studio owners in the area that feel they are struggling in these areas and give them as much support as they need.
Don’t Do It Yourself Virtual Assistance Services (DDIYVAS) is an organization that is built for dance studios/schools, fitness brands, child-related businesses and various other types of businesses with virtual assistance needs. Some of the services include various administrative tasks like website management, inputting class data into enrollment software, and getting emails out to clients. They also help with social media management which can include crafting and creating content, strategizing content, and engagement and online presence. Lastly, DDIYVAS also helps with podcast management which can include information on creating a podcast, managing editing the podcast and making sure it gets onto various channels.
Santina will be presenting about culture and creating content with ease through that cultural lens at the lunch and learn. This will focus on the core values that want to be showcased through this content and how to achieve that. Be sure to come and watch Santina’s presentation on June 28th from 12:30-1:30 at our Renton location! We hope to see you there!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
DWC How To's: Sewing Your Pointe Shoes
Sewing pointe shoes can be one of the most complicated processes for dancers, but it doesn’t need to be!. There are various ways that teachers want their students to sew them and many ways that dancers prefer their own pointe shoes to be sewn. While there isn’t a correct way to sew your shoes, there are many tips and tricks that can be helpful to know in order to sew your shoes efficiently and effectively. Read on to learn some tricks from DWC Staff Member Emma Neilson!
By Emma Neilson DWC Social Media Manager, & Nicole Barrett DWC Blog Editor
Sewing pointe shoes can be one of the most complicated processes for dancers, but it doesn’t need to be! There are various ways that teachers want their students to sew them and many ways that dancers prefer their own pointe shoes to be sewn. While there isn’t a correct way to sew your shoes, there are many tips and tricks that can be helpful to know in order to sew your shoes efficiently and effectively. Read on to learn some tricks from DWC Staff Member Emma Neilson!
Materials needed to sew pointe shoes:
Stitch kit (needle and thread)
Sharpie or pen (to label the left and right shoe)
A lighter
Scissors
Pointe shoes
Ribbon
Elastic
Optional: Thimble
Here are the beginning steps on how to sew your pointe shoes!:
Take about a wingspan worth of thread to make sure you don’t run out and cut it off the spool.
Take your needle and put the thread through the eye of the needle. Pull the thread taut and make sure that both ends of the thread are the same length and knot the end.
Take your ribbons first and cut them into four even pieces to put on your shoes. Be sure to burn the edges with your lighter so that the ends don’t fray. Repeat the same with your elastics.
Line up your ribbons and elastics together on the side seam of the shoe. A general guideline is to place them at the highest point of the arch of your foot. (This is personal preference, so be sure to find where you like your ribbons and elastics on your shoes best!)
Take your needle and thread and start sewing them down. Some dancers prefer sewing the canvas or inner lining of the shoe only, but you can sew all the way through the fabric if you would prefer. You can also sew the ribbons and elastics down by sewing a box around the end or whichever way would be most effective for you. This is all personal preference!
Once you are finished with your stitching, create a knot at the end so that the stitching doesn’t come undone. Cut off the access thread with scissors.
Next you are going to take the other end of your elastic that you just sewed down and cross the end to the other side of the shoe. When both of them are sewn they should make an x-shape. *This can also be done with one elastic along the back edge of the shoe to make a strap which is dancer or teacher preference!*
Cross the elastic to the back of the shoe and be sure that it is at an angle to line up with the curve of your ankle. (This can be done on the inside or outside of your shoe just be sure to check with your teacher to see which they would prefer).
Use the same method that you chose for the front part of the elastic and ribbons and sew the back elastics down.
Tie a knot at the end of your thread and repeat with the other set of ribbons and elastics.
Repeat on the other pointe shoe and you have a new set of sewn pointe shoes!
We hope that these tips and tricks helped you sew your pointe shoes! All of these products can be found at Dancewear Center in store or online!
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
An Inside Look at Dancewear Center Mobile
Dancewear Center Mobile provides private pointe shoe fittings that individualize and streamline the fitting process for dancers, allowing them to receive professional, one on one attention in the comfort of their home studio. At private pointe shoe fittings, fitters appreciate getting the knowledge and input of dance teachers and providing ease and convenience for community members. Our mobile service also arranges pop-up shops that help alleviate back-to-school dance shopping stress and allow studios to build their brand and bring their community together in a fun way. Dancewear Center Mobile will bring dress code apparel, shoes, and the latest seasonal items for dancers in the form of a private shopping experience.
A Glance At DWC’s Mobile Service
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Dancewear Center is known for offering high-quality pointe shoe fittings and products at its locations in Kirkland and Renton, Washington. Dancers have traveled to DWC from all over the Pacific Northwest to receive fittings and explore our large pointe shoe inventory, but through Dancewear Center Mobile, we bring our fitters and merchandise to the dancers themselves!
Dancewear Center Mobile provides private pointe shoe fittings that individualize and streamline the fitting process for dancers, allowing them to receive professional, one on one attention in the comfort of their home studio. At private pointe shoe fittings, fitters appreciate getting the knowledge and input of dance teachers and providing ease and convenience for community members. Our mobile service also arranges pop-up shops that help alleviate back-to-school dance shopping stress and allow studios to build their brand and bring their community together in a fun way. Dancewear Center Mobile will bring dress code apparel, shoes, and the latest seasonal items for dancers in the form of a private shopping experience.
Maluhia Vander Griend is the artistic director and co-owner of Dancing For Joy in Bellingham and Lynden, Washington. Dancing For Joy had two Dancewear Center Mobile visits, both of which occurred in early 2022. “I was there the whole time and it was lovely,” Maluhia shares. She says that due to the expertise and convenience of the service she would love to have four to six mobile fittings a year to keep dancers dancing in pointe shoes that safely fit them. Maluhia also shares that she was adamant about having other community members take part in the mobile fitting service, so she invited other studios in the area to join at their last event.
“What you can expect is amazing, one-on-one service customized to each individual dancer,” Maluhia says of the Dancewear Center Mobile private pointe shoe fittings. She shares that there was nothing hurried about the fitting process and that the staff took the time and care needed to evaluate each dancer. At fittings, dancers are asked questions about their previous injuries, what their current pointe shoes are like, what their dancing load is like, how their pointe shoes typically break-in, and more. DWC Owner & General Manager Samantha Weissbach often provides advice and informed strategies for students experiencing different issues dancing en pointe.
“As a studio owner, I was like ‘this is awesome!’” Maluhia says, of the individualized care DWC fitters offer during mobile fittings. She also appreciates how the DWC fitters take detailed notes about the dancers’ conditions and pointe shoe history for future fittings, commenting that the customer service is “outstanding.” Maluhia also says that Samantha made the experience fun and entertaining for all involved, sharing that the last session was full of laughter. The DWC fitters make an effort to make the pointe shoe fitting experience a memorable one, particularly for dancers receiving their first pairs, as it can be a huge milestone in a dancer’s career.
“The mobile unit comes in, they take over one of your studios and they turn it into a retail shop,” says Linda Johnston, school director and dance instructor at Fidalgo DanceWorks. Linda shares that the mobile fitting process was incredibly convenient for her studio based in Anacortes, Washington. “We’re kind of remote up here in Anacortes, so it’s fabulous that [Dancewear Center] came to bring all of their shoes,” Linda says. At Fidalgo DanceWorks’ second mobile fitting with DWC in November 2021, about fourteen dancers received fittings and Linda shares that the experience was an excellent time for bonding among students.
“What you can expect is amazing, one-on-one service customized to each individual dancer.”
“For us, just having the convenience of having someone bring all their stock and know what they’re talking about…[is] just a huge blessing,” Linda says, also pointing to the value of having students try on pointe shoes in the comfort of their own studio. Linda says that rehearsals could continue running at the studio during the mobile fitting session, causing little interruption in the flow of the usual work day.
Linda recommends the Dancewear Center Mobile service to other studios, particularly those that are located in more remote areas. “I’ve just been really grateful for the service, it’s amazing. I would absolutely recommend it to anybody,” she says.
Karlenn Smith owns and teaches at High Desert Dance in Prineville, Oregon, located far from many dancewear stores. When she learned about Dancewear Center Mobile, her interest was immediately piqued, as it meant her students could save time and money on traveling to get fitted for pointe shoes. Like Maluhia, Karlenn also invited other dance studios in the community to join their mobile fitting session in March 2022 and has discussed having quarterly mobile fittings. She shares that Samantha traveled down to the studio the night before the mobile fitting and set up the fitting room. Karlenn also shares that scheduling the fitting appointments was extremely easy, as Samantha simply passed along her digital calendar and allowed dancers to sign up for slots that worked for them.
“I was so impressed with her knowledge,” Karlenn says, also pointing out how effective it was to have an outside voice share pointe shoe care information with her students. She says that Samantha even sent along websites and videos after the fitting for students to get more information about foot exercises and injury prevention. Samantha even conducted a virtual fitting with one of Karlenn’s students a couple of months after the mobile fitting and mailed pointe shoes down to High Desert Dance. “She got it right on without even being here!” Karlenn exclaims about the virtual fitting.
Be sure to book your Dancewear Center Mobile visit for an unforgettable pointe shoe fitting and shopping experience! Click here to get more information and book today.
Interviewee name pronunciations and pronouns:
Maluhia Vander Griend (Mah-loo-hee-ah Van-der Gree-end), she/her, Artistic Director and Co-Owner of Dancing For Joy in Bellingham and Lynden, WA
Linda Johnston (Linn-da Jons-ton), she/her, School Director and Dance Instructor at Fidalgo DanceWorks in Anacortes, WA
Karlenn Smith (Car-len Smith), she/her, Owner and Teacher at High Desert Dance in Prineville, OR
Sources:
Disclaimer
All content found on the Dancewear Center Website, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and all other relevant social media platforms including: text, images, audio, or other formats were created for informational purposes only. Offerings for continuing education credits are clearly identified and the appropriate target audience is identified. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. Dancewear Center does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on dancewearcenter.net. Reliance on any information provided by dancewearcenter.net, Dancewear Center employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication to Dancewear Center is solely at your own risk.
Links to educational content not created by Dancewear Center are taken at your own risk. Dancewear Center is not responsible for the claims of external websites and education companies.
Inside Dancewear Center’s Continuing Education
“One of our core values is integrity and I feel like that shines through in the fitting process,” Samantha says. “We’re here to make sure that the dancer goes home in something that is as safe and comfortable as possible. We always prioritize the dancer over the sale, every single time.” She’s excited to be a part of a pointe shoe fitter community that works to empower dancers with informed knowledge about their pointe shoes, as well as help build out a larger fitter knowledge base.
A Look Into DWC Pointe Shoe Fitters’ Processes
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Since Samantha Weissbach took over ownership of Dancewear Center in 2018, she and the rest of the DWC team have tasked themselves with offering dancers high-quality products and pointe shoe fittings. A big part of providing community members with knowledgeable pointe shoe fittings is staying up to date on the latest product knowledge and progressing the staff’s knowledge base with continuing education training sessions and programs. Read on to learn more about Dancewear Center’s continuing education processes from the staff members themselves.
Owner & General Manager Samantha Weissbach says that new pointe shoe fitters go through an initial training that involves shadowing another fitter. “When somebody is in training, [I try] to get them with as many senior fitters as possible,” she shares. Pointe Shoe Fitter Tija Dupont recalls sitting in on fittings, in which she would take notes and ask questions. Once onboarded and fitting on their own, fitters meet weekly with Samantha for one-on-one check-ins, in which case studies are reviewed and questions are answered. “We go over notes from their past week,” Samantha says, sharing that they also go over notes for the upcoming fittings for the week.
Samantha shares that the fitters also undergo in-depth quarterly training sessions and monthly fitters educational meetings, where case studies are discussed, new products are introduced, and more. Assistant Store Manager Anna Peters says that the quarterly sessions are useful, as the team discusses product knowledge, customer interactions, and more. Tija recalls her first training seminar with Dancewear Center, in which she was introduced to every single shoe the store carries. She shares that the initial seminar was extremely helpful, as she was able to take detailed notes which she still references from time to time. Tija also shares that in later training sessions, fitters were given extensive training on customer service, including role-playing sessions in which different scenarios were acted out with the staff. Anna says that Samantha makes an effort to intermix more written, textbook-style learning with hands-on learning so there’s something for many types of learning styles.
Outside of the internal training, DWC fitters and staff also undergo training sessions with different pointe shoe manufacturers, such as Russian Pointe, So Danca, and Bloch. Anna recalls undergoing virtual fitting training sessions with all brands. Samantha shares that fitters even observed Freed fitters fit pointe shoes at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
Senior pointe shoe fitters also undergo external certification processes, including the Progressive Pointe Method, a pointe shoe fitting curriculum offered by ThePointeShop. Dancewear Center is also closely connected with ThePointeShop and Master Pointe Shoe Fitter Josephine Lee through ThePointeShop Retail Partnership, making DWC a recommended store by experts like Josephine.
Anna says that just the basic training was eleven weeks long and was focused on the basics of fitting, sizing, troubleshooting, product knowledge, and much more. Samantha also views continuing education as a collaborative effort, creating dialogues with other dancewear store owners and pointe shoe fitters across the country including Beam & Barre in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Samantha is also a member of DanseMedica and participates in monthly “mastermind” calls in which she connects with specialists in the dance medicine world. She is also currently enrolled in the Pointe Safe Certification course, where she’s learned more about anatomy, strength, and how to progress young students en pointe safely. This course informs her teaching efforts outside DWC as well as her fittings. Samantha is also a part of Seattle Performing Arts Medicine (SeaPAM), which features Seattle-based medical professionals. She attends SeaPAM journal club meetings every other month in which members meet together to review case studies, look at medical journals, discuss work they’re doing in realms relating to dancers’ physical and mental health, and more.
“I try to stay up to date with dance medicine and bring anything that’s relevant up with the team,” Samantha shares.
Tija says that Samantha makes an effort to be hands-on with fitters during the training process and allows them to be hands-on when learning. She shares that there are a lot of opportunities for fitters to explore fitting in non-judgmental environments before they work with customers so that they can learn by doing. “I feel super confident,” Tija says of her fitting abilities following the training sessions she’s experienced. After much practice, she feels comfortable finding dancers the best shoe for them in a reasonable amount of time.
Anna also expresses the confidence she’s gained from training, sharing that the knowledge she’s gathered is much more intuitive, allowing her to have much more efficient fittings. “I think we’ve managed to streamline the whole process. We’re a lot more organized,” Anna says, referencing the notes that DWC has on hand on customers’ pointe shoe preferences. She also says the DWC community as a whole has gotten much more friendly, happy, and confident as they’ve gained more fitting knowledge and experience.
“We try to help each individual develop their own fitting style because it is going to be different for everyone,” Samantha says of the different ways individuals can approach pointe shoe fitting.
Samantha shares that the extensive training and resources available to DWC fitters today have allowed for the establishment of a more helpful guiding framework for employees to use when fitting pointe shoes. “People are progressing a lot faster and part of that is [due to] having a solid knowledge base,” Samantha says.
Being able to pair the newer fitters with more experienced pointe shoe fitters has also greatly facilitated the fitter onboarding and education process. Samantha says that being able to split the fitting process into different categories and sub-categories, has allowed fitters to understand both the mechanics and empathy required of the process. In general, Samantha says that the more detailed training process has allowed new fitters to feel more confident when they fit on their own for the first time.
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Tija shares that the learning process never stops as a fitter. “Every time I go into watch a fitting or do a group fitting, [it’s] still very educational,” she vocalizes. Tija also expresses her appreciation for the relationships she’s developed with customers, sharing that she’s grateful for the mutual understanding and transparent communication that’s developed between fitters and dancers.
Anna appreciates how available and accessible Samantha makes continuing education. “She’s very supportive of any continuing education that [we] want to take part in,” Anna says.
“One of our core values is integrity and I feel like that shines through in the fitting process,” Samantha says. “We’re here to make sure that the dancer goes home in something that is as safe and comfortable as possible. We always prioritize the dancer over the sale, every single time.” She’s excited to be a part of a pointe shoe fitter community that works to empower dancers with informed knowledge about their pointe shoes, as well as help build out a larger fitter knowledge base.
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