What We Do
Juon Pointe provides education and training for teachers, parents, dancers, and custom pointe shoe fitters.
We offer tailored courses designed to meet individual needs. Our specialised training builds strength, control, and a deeper understanding of how to care for the body long term.
Training And Education
Mentoring Programmes
The Juon Pointe mentoring programmes are designed to guide dancers and teachers through every step of preparation needed for a safe transition onto pointe. We offer three levels of mentoring, each providing the tools and support to build strong, safe, and sustainable pointe practice.
Pre-Pointe Assessments
Our Pre-Pointe Assessment is a unique evaluation that combines medical expertise with a deep understanding of dance technique, strength, and alignment. Medically validated and highly reliable, this assessment provides clear guidance on when a dancer is ready to progress safely onto pointe.
Pointe Shoe Fittings
At Juon Pointe, we combine a thorough foot assessment with a personalised pointe shoe fitting to ensure each dancer is matched with the shoe best suited to their feet. Ongoing monitoring of foot health and changes is essential to make sure the shoe continues to support, not hinder the dancer.
Courses
We offer a wide range of courses on pointe and dance safety – from foot taping and group workshops to pointe shoe fitter training and more.
Learn and Grow
The Importance of Safe Dance Practices
Every dancer can step safely onto pointe when they are prepared, assessed with care, and professionally fitted, setting the stage for confidence and success.
The most unrecognised fact of dancing en pointe is that the weight of the body should not be forced onto the toes but instead dispersed from the metatarsal heads (ball of the foot) through the shoe and into the floor. If the dancer does not have strong enough feet, then no pointe shoe will effectively support them.
Who Is Juon Pointe?
Swiss-born Esther Juon initially trained with Armin Wild as a classical dancer and at the Opera House in Zurich. An injury in London ended her dance career, but it became the catalyst for her life’s work: teaching safe dance practices and creating a reliable system for assessing and fitting pointe shoes.
Esther was invited by Nikolay Grishko to fit pointe shoes at the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and in recognition of her contribution to safe pointe shoe fitting, she was awarded a special Diploma by the Diaghilev Association in 1995.
She has published articles in Young Dancer magazine, authored the book Pointe Shoe Secrets, and presented lectures for the British Ballet Organisation, regional RAD courses, London Children’s Ballet, and ballet schools worldwide. Most recently, she headlined the first-ever Pointe Shoe Summit in Bellevue, Seattle, USA. Her work has also been featured at IADMS (International Association for Dance Medicine and Science).
Esther is the founder of Juon Pointe and a member of both IADMS and ASPHA. Today, she works internationally as a lecturer, dance mentor, Master Pointe Shoe Fitter, and educator.
Discover Esther’s expert articles and podcasts at The Library Aesthetic.
Testimonials
I remember working with Esther in Brighton at Dance Laines. She taught me things I have since used everyday in my own practice when teaching. Esther is a fantastic lady with knowledge like no other.
TANIA THOMAS, Dip Hons Qualified Dance Teacher
Esther Juon is the most phenomenal lady that I have ever met when it comes to pointe shoe fittings! Her knowledge, understanding and her absolute dedication to dancers’ safety is something to behold.
JANE BYRNE, Studio Dancewear
I’ll be forever grateful for meeting Esther – for her coaching and for pointing me in the right direction. Her experience, expertise and guidance has helped me so much. In the future I hope to complete the Juon Pointe pointe shoe fitting training with Esther to ensure young dancers like me are educated correctly.
KATE CONNELLY, Dancer – Sydney, Australia
