ChenXing's Interview
Q1: How do you think pointe shoes are a turning point in history?
A1: Pointe shoes itself was a turning point in history since it influenced many other types of dance. For example, many of the moves we have in traditional Chinese Dance today are the same ones we have in ballet. They are just the moves without the shoes.
Q2: Do you think that pointe shoes have an important role in ballet? If so, what are the benefits?
A2: Pointe shoes are what make ballet significant and beautiful. They make you seem more graceful and elegant to the audience. It also makes you lower body seem longer and trains your balance, since you must have good balance to be
able to stay on pointe.
Q3: Why should dancers use pointe shoes?
A3: Not all dancers have to use pointe shoes, but I think it's important to use them.
Q4: What is the origin behind dance?
A4: Pointe shoes were first established by King Louis, who loved to dance, but was very short. Because of this, these
shoes were created. At first, they used high heel shoes and then slowly, they developed into the shoes we use today. In
addition, women didn't start dancing until around 1681.
Q5. How much do you think you have to practice to master pointe shoes?
A5: To be able to dance in them comfortably, it takes about 2 years. To master them, it takes about 3-4 years. However,
this only applies if you practice long hours every day.
Q6: When do dancers usually start going on pointe?
A6: It depends. If you want to go into a professional dancing career, they start in their first year-this year is for finding your
balance and go up and down over and over again to get the hang of it. In the second year, you start adding the moves and
trying to perfect the skill.
Q7: Do pointe shoes harm dancers in any way?
A7: Yes! You really shouldn't go on pointe if you aren't ready since your ankle muscle needs to be strong enough for you to
be successful. If it isn't developed, then you have a high chance of injury and it will hurt a LOT.
Q8: Have you experienced any injuries in the past due to pointe shoes?
A8: Yes, back then our pointe shoes weren't as developed as the ones today. They were made of wood on the bottom and
that was all you had to put your feet in. During a performance, the wood bottom started scraping my feet and I started
bleeding severely.
A1: Pointe shoes itself was a turning point in history since it influenced many other types of dance. For example, many of the moves we have in traditional Chinese Dance today are the same ones we have in ballet. They are just the moves without the shoes.
Q2: Do you think that pointe shoes have an important role in ballet? If so, what are the benefits?
A2: Pointe shoes are what make ballet significant and beautiful. They make you seem more graceful and elegant to the audience. It also makes you lower body seem longer and trains your balance, since you must have good balance to be
able to stay on pointe.
Q3: Why should dancers use pointe shoes?
A3: Not all dancers have to use pointe shoes, but I think it's important to use them.
Q4: What is the origin behind dance?
A4: Pointe shoes were first established by King Louis, who loved to dance, but was very short. Because of this, these
shoes were created. At first, they used high heel shoes and then slowly, they developed into the shoes we use today. In
addition, women didn't start dancing until around 1681.
Q5. How much do you think you have to practice to master pointe shoes?
A5: To be able to dance in them comfortably, it takes about 2 years. To master them, it takes about 3-4 years. However,
this only applies if you practice long hours every day.
Q6: When do dancers usually start going on pointe?
A6: It depends. If you want to go into a professional dancing career, they start in their first year-this year is for finding your
balance and go up and down over and over again to get the hang of it. In the second year, you start adding the moves and
trying to perfect the skill.
Q7: Do pointe shoes harm dancers in any way?
A7: Yes! You really shouldn't go on pointe if you aren't ready since your ankle muscle needs to be strong enough for you to
be successful. If it isn't developed, then you have a high chance of injury and it will hurt a LOT.
Q8: Have you experienced any injuries in the past due to pointe shoes?
A8: Yes, back then our pointe shoes weren't as developed as the ones today. They were made of wood on the bottom and
that was all you had to put your feet in. During a performance, the wood bottom started scraping my feet and I started
bleeding severely.