Pointe Shoe Summit 2025 – Reflections

Pointe Shoe Summit 2025 - Reflections

My team and I would like to thank everyone who attended the first-ever Pointe Shoe Summit – whether in person at On Pointe Dancewear in Bellevue or online via Zoom, hosted by Erin Madsen. A special thank you goes to Susie Butler for connecting the Zoom audience to the live event, filming the sessions, and capturing such beautiful photos. This Summit was the very first of its kind, turning my dream into reality.

Our Team

The Summit was made possible by a dedicated international team:
● Camila Uribe – Director of Arabesque Tienda de Danza, Colombia
● Michelle Deschamps – Director of The Royal Ballet School Mexicali, Mexico
● Rhea Lwin – Pointe Shoe Specialist and Owner of On Pointe Dancewear, Bellevue/Seattle, USA
● Georgina Barr – Dance Podiatrist, Barrina Ltd., Christchurch, NZ
● Lily Ewing – Ex-professional dancer, Founder of FORME, NZ
● Esther Juon – Founder of Juon Pointe, NZ

Purpose & Vision

The purpose of the Summit was to bring together ballet teachers, pointe shoe fitters, and dance health professionals such as podiatrists and physiotherapists, along with dancers themselves. It was extraordinary to see these professions in one space, exploring how we can work together to change outcomes for young dancers. We had inspiring conversations, built new connections, and created a social media group to stay in touch and continue supporting each other. With 15 delegates in person and 10 joining via Zoom, the group was the perfect size to create an intimate and supportive space for meaningful conversations. Several attendees shared that it was one of the best courses they had ever attended. This was high praise indeed, and I am deeply grateful to my team for making this possible.

Key Discussions

Throughout the Summit, we explored common misconceptions in ballet training and pointe shoe fitting:
● Pointe shoe fitters are often wrongly blamed for problems caused by lack of ankle mobility or intrinsic strength.
● If a dancer’s foot sickles, the shoe will sickle. No fitter can “fix” that.
● Turnout comes from the hip joint, not the feet.
● Artistic ideals should not override the beauty and uniqueness of each dancer’s body.
● Safe alignment requires a neutral pelvis, strong intrinsic muscles, and avoiding hyperextension.
● Language matters! Teachers should give positive instructions (“what to do”), not just corrections (“what not to do”).
● Retiring dance by choice is far better than being forced to stop because of preventable injuries.

Our goal is clear: reduce injuries through education, respect individual bodies, and prepare dancers for long, healthy careers.

Highlights

● Freedom of Ideas – A safe space to exchange controversial thoughts and move ballet thinking into the 21st century.
● Rhea’s Discussion – A fascinating presentation on the history and evolution of pointe shoes.
● Hands-On Learning – We dissected pointe shoes with pliers and knives to explore how different brands are constructed.
● Innovation – Christine Fernandez, a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University, introduced PointeSense, a groundbreaking technology with the potential to transform pointe shoe fitting.

Prizes from Our Sponsors

Every ticket included:

● 2 Months free access to Progressing Ballet Technique online.
● 1 Year of free access to The Library Aesthetic Dance Media online resource.

In addition, one delegate won a place in the Juon Pointe Mentoring Program. This was awarded to a physiotherapist from Pacific Northwest Ballet Company, who generously gifted it to Elle Macy, principal dancer with PNB. Elle is currently recovering from ankle surgery, and I will be part of her recovery team. It truly is such an honour.

An Unexpected Highlight

At the close of the Summit, a mother and her 9-year-old daughter arrived for the Parent–Dancer Course. Although the session did not go ahead, the young dancer’s enthusiasm was clear, and I promised to see her the next day for a foot assessment.

That assessment went so well that word quickly spread, and soon I was invited to stay on for two more days to teach a special workshop for local dancers and parents. Many of these dancers have since joined my mentoring program.

This was an unexpected and heartwarming extension of the Summit’s impact.

Impact & Achievements

● New friendships and professional connections were formed.
● Delegates shared posts and reflections across social media.
● Invitations were extended for future collaborations in Brazil, New York, Melbourne, Mexico, and Singapore.
● Most importantly, there was a shared commitment to continue working together for the wellbeing of dancers.

Personal Reflections

I am still in a whirlwind. The Summit went even better than I imagined. I believe important seeds have been planted for new thinking, and I am proud that my team and I stood at the forefront of this movement.
Special moments included:

● Meeting Elle Macy at the Pacific Northwest Ballet with Betsy Rigsbee to discuss her recovery plan.

● Working with young dancers and seeing their faces light up as they discovered new ways of moving safely was inspiring. Their gratitude and eagerness to grow made the experience especially rewarding.

Looking Ahead

The next steps are clear:

● Continue the Juon Pointe Mentoring Program with dancers, guiding them toward safe and confident pointe work.
● Support teachers in recognising the benefits of this approach as they see the progress in dancers who have trained with me.
● Form a dedicated group for all Summit attendees so that our conversations and collaborations can continue.

Gratitude

I am immensely grateful to:
● My team – especially Georgina Barr, our medical representative, who ensures everything we teach is accurate, and Lily Ewing, who joined in January and shouldered many vital tasks that helped make this Summit a success.
● Our sponsors – particularly Bloch, who funded the printing of the Pointe Shoe Secrets booklet I wrote, Georgina edited, and Lily lovingly designed.
● Josef Brown (MDM/TLA) – who has been a steady mentor and guide throughout this journey.

And finally, to all our delegates, supporters, and friends, you made this possible!

Closing Words

If this story resonates with you, please share it with others who share the same passion. Together, we can change the dance world into a more caring and supportive place for young dancers. With gratitude and optimism, Esther & the Pointe Shoe Summit Team