Hi Gina! You bring up a good point about her age - she does have a bit of baby chub still on her feet! However, given your description, if she get my feet, she'll be fine. I always hated my high arch because I can't wear those cute little boots. But my feet are as you described, so if she has mine and not her father's she'll be ok!

Thanks for the advice on the classes. I don't want to be a stage mom, but at the same time I want her to have all the opportunities my parents couldn't afford for me. If she ever tells me she doesn't want to do it anymore, I'll be disappointed but remember that she is a child and she should be happy.

Thanks again!

This was supposed to be a reply, but I hit the wrong button, sorry!

Welcome Nola Joy, I love the title of this thread even if you did hit the wrong button

Thank you to Gina is indeed in order. She gives such sound, well thought out advice. She is unbelievably kind and generous with her time and expertise. What a treat to have a true professional ballerina on CD to advise us.

So a huge thank you from me too!

Your welcome, Nola Joy! Lucy, thank you from the bottom of my heart...

Thanks indeed to Gina Ness!

Some of the younger folk may not know this but she (along with her brother and her husband) were stars at San Francisco Ballet. There are many in the SF Bay Area who still remember the name Gina Ness with reverence and respect.

And to add icing on the cake, she's also an extremely kind and sweet person in real life.

"....she's also an extremely kind and sweet person in real life."

That also comes across loud and clear in Gina's postings, where the wealth of her knowledge and experience is always tempered by sensitivity for the enquirer.

Gina you're a *STAR*.

...And, thanks to her generous sharing of her time (and considerable knowledge) here on criticaldance, so do people all over the world...including me.

Thanks, Gina.