Intro to Pointe Course with Ruth Mair Howard-Jones is a beginner friendly introduction to ballet. This 6 week course is perfect for absolute beginners looking to make their first steps in ballet, dancers returning from injury, or non-classical dancers wishing to perfect their pointe technique.
It’s always exciting wearing pointe shoes and through this short but impactful course you will increase in strength, technique and artistry as well as make friends with similar interest and have fun!
You will explore how to choose the best pointe shoes for you and Ruth will take you through pointe shoes prep. During the classes within this course, you will practice your foot and body strength as well as key strengthening exercises for the whole body.
No previous dance experience necessary to take this beginner friendly course - all are welcome!
YOU'LL LEARN
- All important foot & pointe shoe care
- Technical explanation & exercises
- Body & core strength
- Barre work to install good technique
- Full body strength
- …and so much more!
WHAT TO BRING
- Footwear: It's not important to already own a pair of pointe shoes as help and guidance will be given during the course to select your first pair. Wear either socks or you can go barefoot.
- Comfortable clothing: For our dance classes, we encourage everyone to wear what they feel the most comfortable to move in. You can visit our Pineapple store opposite the studios and ask for advice from our staff, or can check out our online store where we have all the dance essentials you might need for your class. We have changing rooms and showers on location.
- Water bottle: It's important to stay hydrated during your classes, so make sure you bring your water bottle. We have multiple water points in the building where you can have a refill.
SCHEDULE
This Pointe course for beginners is 6 weeks long, with 1 class per week on Sundays (6 classes all together). Each class is 75 minutes long and held by Ruth Mair Howard-Jones at Pineapple Dance Studios.
Course start date: 19th January 2025
Timings: Sundays 9.45 - 11am (75 minutes)
1st Class: Sunday 19th January
2nd Class: Sunday 26th January
3rd Class: Sunday 2nd February
4th Class: Sunday 9th February
5th Class: Sunday 16th February
6th Class: Sunday 23rd February
Price: £119
All courses are non-refundable* and have to be booked before their start date. The course price is inclusive of our membership fee.
ABOUT RUTH MAIR HOWARD-JONES
An award winning choreographer and teacher, Ruth Mair’s long association with Pineapple began when she was 11 years old at Tring Park.
Initially training in ballet on scholarships to Tring Park (Arts Educational) winning the ballet cup twice, Central School of Ballet, London Studio Centre, further trained at RADA; Academia Teatro alla Scala and The Royal Academy of Dance Professional Dancers Teaching Diploma. Ruth Mair also holds a pilates training certificate and soft tissue therapy which she uses in her strength and technique training.
Her areas of expertise are Ballet, RAD, Chechetti, Vaganova, Jazz, & La Scala. Ruth has built a varied career in the arts, dipping in and out of ballet with experience from world renowned ballet companies to musicals, commercial TV and film. Including live TV, block busting films and stage shows.
As a teacher she has taught several classes at Pineapple from ballet to can can, appeared on Chanel 4 & ITV. With Debbie Moore OBE, Ruth created the Pineapple Masterclass series and staged events such as the Pineapple Live Show at the Hurlingham Club.
Teaching internationally both privately and with her school 'The Jones Academy', her students progress to study at top vocational schools, this year students were to be present at the Prix de Lausanne.
As a choreographer, her company 'The Jones Ballet', and choreography work brings decades of classical & modern training and experience in working with some of the best directors and dancers across the northern hemisphere. Ruth adds a unique twist of social commentary and modernity of style, fusing moves from modern genres with the strengths of classical form, power and discipline.
Ruth’s last work was featured in The Wonderful World of Dance and prior to that staged at Rambert. She is often found rehearsing in Pineapple or Rambert studios.