Pointe to pointe
© Sasha Onyshchenko | Danseuses : Tatiana Lerebours et Maxime Coulombe.
Every ballerina remembers the thrill of her first pair of pointe shoes: a step that transforms effort into grace. Much more than a simple accessory, pointe shoes mark a decisive stage in a dancer's career.
L'École supérieure de ballet du Québec (ESBQ) and Les Grands Ballets are joining forces to launch their first joint fundraising campaign. A unique opportunity to support the dancers of today and tomorrow. One pointe shoe at a time.
Every year, young dancers fulfill a long-awaited dream: dancing on pointe. After methodical training, the young ballerinas are finally ready to move from the studio to the spotlight. A pair of spikes costs an average of $150 and must be carefully selected and adjusted to ensure safety, comfort, and performance. Your support will accompany them and encourage them to fully experience this unique moment.
© Sasha Onyshchenko | Danseuses : Tatiana Lerebours et Maxime Coulombe
At the École supérieure de ballet du Québec
This campaign will fund the pointe shoes needed for the annual Corps de Ballet performance, essential stage experience in a young dancer’s training (approximately 75 to 100 pairs, depending on choreographies).
Throughout their training, young ballerinas need to change their pointe shoes on a frequent basis, which for some families represents a major expenditure. Donations collected will also support some scholarship recipients, providing them with adapted pointe shoes that enable them to continue their training unhindered.
For the future dancers of Les Grands Ballets
Every year, over 15 students of the ESBQ dance en pointe in The Nutcracker, which requires nearly 20 pairs apiece (about 300 pairs in total) and take part in other Grands Ballets productions, depending on programming. The campaign will directly contribute to providing these necessary pointe shoes, so that young ballerinas can develop their stagecraft in optimal conditions.
Every donation, regardless of the amount, will directly contribute to meeting these specific needs and supporting young ballerinas in their careers.
© Sasha Onyshchenko
Testimonials
© Sasha Onyshchenko
TATIANA LEREBOURS, DANCER WITH LES GRANDS BALLETS AND GRADUATE OF THE ESBQ
“Providing pointe shoes for a young dance student means so much more than one might think. It’s a generous action, but above all, it’s real-life support for young dancers and their parents.”
© Sasha Onyshchenko
MAXIME COULOMBE, 15-YEAR-OLD STUDENT OF THE ESBQ
“I yearned so much for my first pair of pointe shoes… And when I could finally wear them in class is when I realized a dream: to dance like the older ballerinas of the École supérieure.”
Pointe shoes are carefully crafted from leather, satin, cardboard, paper and burlap, sometimes custom-made for dancers’ structural stability and support.
Students can begin pointe work at around age 11 or 12, after an assessment of their physical and artistic capacities. While it’s possible to start earlier, a dancer’s muscles and bones must be sufficiently developed to bear the strains of pointe work.
Pointe shoes wear out quickly: depending on the intensity of rehearsals, some pairs may need frequent replacement, sometimes after just a few hours. Every pair reflects hours of preparation, hard work and passion—a first step towards the stage.
The École supérieure de ballet du Québec and Les Grands Ballets share a mission: to ensure the vitality, excellence and future of dance in Quebec. Did you know that one third of Grands Ballets dancers are graduates of the ESBQ? This alliance stems from the vision of their common founder, Ludmilla Chiriaeff.
By giving to this campaign, you will help to keep alive a tradition of excellence and passion.
Thanks to you, all the steps are possible.
Provide a pair of pointe shoes and elevate every ballerina towards her dream.
Donations to this campaign will be shared between Les Grands Ballets and the ESBQ. By donating, you agree to your information being disclosed to both institutions.
Questions or feedback ?
You can write to us at [email protected] or phone us at 514 849-4929, extension 235.