Footnotes - Fall 2024 - 21

2. What was one of your favorite memories as a
ballet performer?
One of my favorite ballet memories was performing my
Kitri solo at the New York City Center when I was 12
years old. It was during the final round of the largest
student ballet competition. I remember giving it my all
during the solo and the roar of the crowd during my
bows was something I will never forget.
3. What lower extremity pathologies/deformities
are common among ballet performers?
Ballet dancers push their bodies to the limits, just as
much as an Olympic athlete would. With that comes
overuse injuries, especially with the pointe shoes that
these dancers wear. Some common injuries include
stress fractures, achilles tendonitis, sesamoiditis, bunion
pain, and ankle sprains.
4. What preventative measures do you find helpful
for ballet performers?
The most important preventative measure for ballet
dancers is to be mindful of their alignment when
dancing. With proper alignment of the pelvis, the knees,
the ankles, and the feet, the probability of an injury
decreases. I also recommend getting regular fittings with
a pointe shoe fitter to make sure the dancer is in the
best pointe shoes available to them. There are so many
models and brands these days, and our feet can slightly
change over time, so finding the best fit is important.
Miko Fogarty performing the Esmeralda solo at the Moscow International Ballet Competition
FALL 2024
21
Footnotes - Fall 2024

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