A Message From Our First Staff Member

“Joining Pointe Black has been a deeply meaningful experience for me, not just as a teacher but as someone who has faced many micro-aggressions and challenges in the ballet world.”

Vanessa Threadgold, Project Manager and Assistant Teacher

Hi Pointe Black family!

I’m Vanessa, one of the assistant teachers here at Pointe Black, and I’m so excited to officially introduce myself (finally). While I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting many of you in class, it’s been a whirlwind few weeks, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my journey so far.

I joined Pointe Black for the show term at the end of September, and in that short time, I’ve had the privilege of working with our incredible dancers, celebrating a successful term of classes, and supporting our ballerinas in preparing for “Our Windrush Story” show. It’s been a true dive into the deep end, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Seeing our ballerinas' confidence grow with every rehearsal is a constant reminder of why Pointe Black is such a special place. Watching our young dancers happiness on stage during the show was a moment that left me feeling so proud of what they’ve achieved and honoured to be part of their journey.

Joining Pointe Black has been a deeply meaningful experience for me, not just as a teacher but as someone who has faced many microaggressions and challenges in the ballet world. There’s immeasurable value in creating an inclusive, supportive, and joyful space for dancers to grow. Pointe Black is that space, and for me it’s a safe space to continue my development as a teacher. I’m so proud to contribute to the incredible space Ruth has created and the journey of redefining what ballet looks like.

As I look ahead to the next year, I’m excited to continue working with our students, supporting their growth, and celebrating every little victory along the way. Whether it’s mastering a new step, gaining confidence, or simply having fun in class, these moments are what make teaching so rewarding.

Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into the Pointe Black family, I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in the months to come!