I have always had this notion, deep in my core, that perhaps I should have been a dancer. Or a drummer, but that’s another story. I have fairly long legs and noodle arms, and what could be more fitting than to use these physical attributes for ballet? Despite this feeling, I never did in fact take a ballet lesson. I did participate in Irish step dancing for seven years in my youth, but that, too, is another story.

Recently I photographed Assemblé Dancewear in Castle Rock, Colo. Noel Amend has been fitting dancers with pointe shoes for over 30 years. Folks travel from all around the region to have him outfit their feet in the shoes needed to plié, arabesque and generally float about the stage with the utmost of grace. While on assignment for the Denver Post local section, I made my way to Noel’s store and watched as he helped a couple different dancers of varying experience get equipped.

This is Kellie, Noel’s daughter. She helps customers learn how to sew ribbons onto new pointe shoes.

As I packed up to leave Assemblé Dancewear that afternoon, Kellie and I got to talking and she asked if I had ever practiced ballet. I told her no, but I felt I should have previously in my life. Alas, too late now, I said. She shook her head and wrote down the name of a dance instructor in Denver who has a special class for adults with no ballet ability whatsoever. Just in case.

Take a look at the Assemblé Dancewear business profile we featured in YourHub.