Success Stories

Madi Cronin

We first met Esther through her pointe shoe fitting service when our daughter was 10 years old. We developed a relationship over time, and in late 2012 / early 2013 our daughter, Madi, began regular private tuition with Esther, complementing the wonderful work she was also doing through her own dance school.

As a parent, it has always been important that those who taught Madi were passionate, fair, supportive and caring alongside imparting valuable knowledge and skills that would help her pursue her dreams, in return, they would get a student who was just as passionate, but very prepared to put in the hard yards, learn and develop . This is why we chose Esther.

Esther’s approach to, not only dance, but also life is full of passion, energy and commitment. Her very special way of working with young dancers is uniquely positive. She has as ability to ‘paint’ pictures which resonate with pupils, enabling them to quickly, and clearly, understand hat she is asking and teaching. She works with incredible patience, and as you watch her move while she teaches you cannot help but get swept up in the emotion and passion. Madi would come out of her lesson feeling as though she had given her all… but never feeling as though it was a chore. She always came out wanting more, and our long drive home would be full of her chatter about what she had learned and how much she wanted to give Esther more.

This as a parent, was incredibly satisfying, knowing that our daughter was in such capable and caring hands.

We are now in Sydney, as Madi takes the next step in her ballet journey, taking up a placement at Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy, at just 15. Esther’s teaching and passion has most definitely armed Madi with what she has needed to take this next step forward, and we know these will continue to play a part in the future.

Tracey and Sean Cronin ( Jan 2015 )

Olivia

My daughter Olivia returned to New Zealand in December for the Christmas holidays. We had previously lived in Waipukurau for 2 years and Olivia attended Esther’s ballet school in Waipawa.

We thought that some private lessons from Esther in the holidays would be beneficial as it would not only help maintain fitness and flexibility, but correct some bad habits that Olivia has picked over the past 12 months in her ballet school here in Brisbane.

Olivia was so thrilled with the houses spent with Esther, not only do they share a bond from the time that Olivia was at her school, Olivia respects Esther’s vast knowledge and attention to detail. Olivia came away from her lessons with renewed enthusiasm and knowledge of how to maintain and build on what she had learnt. She also was given an amazing list of strengthening exercises and notes for her to refer to and follow.

We also had a demi pointe and pointe shoe fitting as Olivia had outgrown her pointe shoes. Esther’s fitting process is second to none, we have never seen anything so meticulous. Her desire, knowledge and patience to obtain the proper fit is amazing. This process takes time and is not rushed and the end result for Olivia is a sohe that will support her and prevent damage to her feet.

As her mother I can rest easy knowing that her feet will be protected.

The fitting report that Esther gave Olivia complete with photographs of her feet and measurements is fantastic. I am going to shoe it to Olivia’s ballet principal with the hope they will ask Esther to come to Brisbane and run a workshop.

I cannot recommend Esther enogugh, she is an amazing, inspirational teacher and an under-utilised resource. If we had someone like her here in Brisbane, I know there would be a waiting list to attend her school and to be professionally fitted by her.

Olivia’s Mother

Polina Smirnova

The course exceeded my expectations! Through a clear and systematic approach, I have rediscovered my feet and, through them, the rest of my body. In just a week I have been able to detect what made me feel ( or not feel at all! ) so different from each other. And the best thing has been that I have not only been able to detect it, but also to modify those differences by focusing the exercises to adapt them to each of the sides. It’s a great feeling! I have improved the alignment of both lower limbs, my feet feel much stronger. Now I am going to follow a precise line of work to keep improving.

Polina Smirnova, Dance Medic, Spain

Nina Hayuma

I’ve just completed part 1 of my Juon Pointe mentoring programme! Thank you Esther for your unique style of teaching this course. It is not a one size fits all programme. The course is tailor made for each participant and their needs and abilities. If you are a teacher wanting to have a deeper understanding of what we teach and how to safely teach them or just want to refresh your previous knowledge or even just keep yourself motivated, then I highly recommend the Juon Pointe mentoring programme to you!

Nina Hayuma, Ballet Teacher, Hong Kong

Pointe Shoe Summit 2026

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