Product Review

This is volume four in the successful series of books on ballet pedagogy (Building Ballet Technique), with the emphasis here on the specialized field of teaching pointe technique. It explores every aspect and level, including Pre-Pointe, Beginning Pointe, Intermediate and Advanced, and further delves into the teaching of repertoire (variations) classes and rehearsing students for performance and recognized competitions, with advice on choosing suitable difficulty choreography pieces, and going beyond technique to artistry. Each level has sample lesson plans, complete with barre and center exercises, complete with descriptions, photos, and terminology. it includes photographic reference sheets explaining body, arm and head positions. There is also a brief and fascinating early chapter on the evolution of pointe in the history of ballet. This is a book every teacher, whether experienced or novice, can use as a source of knowledge and step-by-step referral when teaching the beautiful art of pointe work to their students.