Artists
When Gaynor Minden started in 1993 we had a few dozen customers. Today tens of thousands of dancers have voted with their feet and honored us by choosing our pointe shoes. Some are among the finest dancers on the planet, no exaggeration. Some of these ballerinas have agreed to become Gaynor Minden Artists and appear here, in our advertisements, and on our social media. These dancers have worn Gaynor Mindens for years, and they wear them exclusively. We provide an honorarium for the use of their images, but we never pay dancers to wear our shoes. It’s their choice.
Chinara Alizade
Principal Dancer
Polish National Ballet
“After successfully graduating from ballet school, I was invited to join the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, and I began my journey as a professional ballerina. A year later, I was introduced to Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. I was 19 at the time, in 2006, and it was a perfect match! This love for these pointe shoes has lasted for many years. Throughout my entire ballet career, I have danced in Gaynor Minden pointe shoes, and I am very happy about it!”
Chinara has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2006.
Photo by Marta Wódz, courtesy of Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera
Chinara has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2006.
Photo by Marta Wódz, courtesy of Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera
Victoria Ananyan
Principal Dancer
Les Ballets de Monte Carlo
“Since I put on my Gaynors, I stayed in them forever. Shoes should be like skin where nothing should bother you and nothing should distract you during your training. You can think about a new choreography, a new role, and be fully engaged in the studio and, of course, be fully committed on stage, so you can create magic without any worries. Your shoes should be part of your body — not a piece of clothing.”
Victoria has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2014.
Victoria has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2014.
Ayca Anil
Soloist
Istanbul State Ballet
“There are two words to explain the impact of Gaynor Minden shoes in my life: performance improvement. I love the support they provide and how beautiful they look on stage. My pointe shoes feel like an extension of me instead of a burden. Not having to sew new shoes every week has been a huge relief as well. They have become my favorite shoes ever since I put them on. Before, I did not think it was possible to feel so confident and comfortable while dancing. They are quiet, support a soft landing after jumps, and are great for balances and turns. Not having to worry about my shoes has been incredibly helpful to focus on dance and art instead. Thank you Gaynor Minden for making our lives better and for creating the best possible pointe shoes for dancers. ”
Ayca has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2020.
M. Durum
Ayca has worn Gaynor Minden Pointe Shoes since 2020.
M. Durum
Gretel Batista
Corps de Ballet
Houston Ballet
“I have been wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015. I first tried Gaynors while doing a guest performance. In need of emergency shoes and after many failed options, I tried on a pair of Gaynor Minden pointe shoes and immediately fell in love! The support, the comfort, the look, the durability — I love everything about them. I have been wearing Gaynor Mindens ever since. It was the best decision I ever made!”
Gretel has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: S. Soong
Gretel has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: S. Soong
Cristina Baez
Principal
Ballet Clásico Moderno Municipal de Asunción
“Gaynor Minden accompanied me from the beginning of this career until today, thanks to the comfort and durability, I did not need to choose another pair of pointe shoes from another brand than Gaynor Minden. They are my all time choice! They helped me to continue working and growing as a dancer and artist, giving me beautiful lines and being my best partner day after day. Thank you Gaynor Minden, my favorite brand.”
Cristina has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2008.
Photo: M. Ayala
Cristina has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2008.
Photo: M. Ayala
Jessica Burrows
Soloist
Hong Kong Ballet
“I love my Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. They are consistent and durable. I never have to worry about whether my shoes will last through the performance, or if I will receive an oddly shaped pair in my order. Every shoe fits perfectly, customized exactly to my specifications. The sleek shape of the shoe complements my lines. As I dance, every landing is soft and quiet. I am confident in my Gaynor Minden shoes and this confidence leaves me free onstage to take risks and focus on creating art.”
Jessica has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: K. Kuras
Jessica has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: K. Kuras
Chanell Cabrera
The Washington Ballet
“I’ve been wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014 and from the moment I put them on I realized how comfortable they are. I chose Gaynor Minden because I love their stability and durability, I can use them for a long time. I love how secure I feel in every balance, turn and jump, and the fact that they aren’t noisy at all. Gaynor Minden pointe shoes have everything that I’m looking for in ballet shoes.”
Chanell has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: E. Cruz
Chanell has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: E. Cruz
Filipa de Castro
Principal Dancer
National Ballet of Portugal
“It began with a suggestion from a friend of mine, also Gaynor Minden Artist. We danced together in a gala and I was complaining about how shoes can change just from bringing them on a plane. She told me that with Gaynor Minden I wouldn’t have those issues, so I decided to try them. It took a bit of time to find the right ones, but since I’ve gotten used to working with them I’ve become a totally different ballerina. I have a feeling of trusting my pointe shoes completely while I’m dancing, not being afraid that they might break in the middle of a pas de deux. And they are so light, that jumping is heaven and they look great on my feet. I feel that I improved to a higher level with them!”
Filipa has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: V. Silveira
Filipa has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: V. Silveira
Isabela Coracy
Ballet Black
“Gaynor Minden pointe shoes are the perfect complement to my art. After all the classes and rehearsals, I can step on stage with confidence and express myself by moving freely. It was never easy for my parents to provide more than one pair per month as a young ballerina, but my family supported my career by encouraging me to follow my dreams. My magical Gaynor Minden pointe shoes were always ready to go on stage and dance!”
Isabela has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2008.
Photo: K. Nugent
Isabela has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2008.
Photo: K. Nugent
Gabriela Druyet
Soloist
National Ballet of Cuba
“I started using Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because they made my movements easier to execute, gave me more confidence and balance when dancing, and they are also super comfortable and look aesthetically beautiful.””
Gabriela has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: F. D. Domínguez
Gabriela has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: F. D. Domínguez
Lili Felmery
Principal Dancer
Hungarian National Ballet
“The reason why I began wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes was that I would have liked to ensure the best quality for my feet. These are the most beautiful, convenient and perfect pointe shoes I can imagine!”
Lili has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: A. Paolini Merlo
Lili has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: A. Paolini Merlo
Claudia Garcia
Soloist
Hungarian National Ballet
“With the Gaynor Minden pointe shoes I feel much more stable during the execution of the technical steps such as turns, balances or jumps. In addition, they are silent and especially during the landing of the jumps that to me is very important. I also like how they look — they make my foot look better and it allows me to show a nice line when I dance.”
Claudia has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: E.R. Hernández
Claudia has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: E.R. Hernández
Cindy Herrera
Soloist
INCOLBallet
“Gaynor Minden pointe shoes have become part of my life — their comfort and durability have given me the opportunity to stand out as a soloist in my company. The shoes give me security, balance, and stability, which makes me enjoy my hours of rehearsals and performances every time. Due to their endurance and reliability, I can use them for several hours without fear of damage due to the climates of Colombia.”
Photo: E. Lora
Photo: E. Lora
Larissa Joseph
Freelance Dancer
“While I have tried many pointe shoes, I always come back to Gaynor Minden because of the quality, strength, and elegance the shoe offers me as an artist in my mission to create deeply moving art. I find that throughout this career – in which the spotlight is constantly highlighting your every feature and scrutinizing your every movement – it is important to have confidence in your physical instrument and as much support as you can have behind you, in order to succeed. In my most important moments on stage, these pointe shoes have never let me down!”
Larissa has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: S. Vandervelden
Larissa has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: S. Vandervelden
Jamie Kopit
Nashville Ballet
“I started wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes for many reasons. Firstly, they last so much longer than traditional pointe shoes, so I don’t need to be constantly sewing new pairs or worrying about them not lasting through a three-act ballet. Secondly, the pliable shank and box allow me to jump with more ease, while still staying supportive enough for pointe work and partnering. In addition, the sleek shape of the box helps refine my leg line, unlike the bulkiness of a traditional pointe shoe. Lastly, they are significantly kinder to my toes, which make me more comfortable during long rehearsal days. In fact, I now no longer need to wear toe pads!”
Jamie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2016.
Photo: S. Schmidt
Jamie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2016.
Photo: S. Schmidt
Ekaterina Kukhar
Principal Dancer
National Opera of Ukraine
“I choose to wear Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because they are durable, and because of the wide range of options they give dancers.”
Ekaterina has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2012.
Photo: K. Orlova
Ekaterina has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2012.
Photo: K. Orlova
Jolie Lombardo
Corps de Ballet
Alberta Ballet
“Ballet is an art form that requires dancers to show beauty and vulnerability with precise skill. I believe dancers can only achieve this combination through the utmost confidence, and that is precisely what wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes gives to me. In my opinion, they are the best pointe shoes a dancer can wear. I am personally grateful for the technological advancement that Gaynor Minden has produced to help ballet dancers around the world.”
Jolie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: C. Quezada
Jolie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2015.
Photo: C. Quezada
Julie Magnon-Verdier
Demi-Soloist
Opera Nice
“With Gaynor Mindens, I can finally focus on my interpretation and technique. I feel stable, light and confident! In the past, choosing my pointe shoes before shows was a huge stress. Today, I’m relieved, I know that my pointe shoes won’t harm my technique because Gaynors are so resistant!”
Julie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2017.
Photo: F. Faverney
Julie has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2017.
Photo: F. Faverney
Tatiana Melnik
Principal
Hungarian National Ballet
“I started dancing in Gaynor Minden pointe shoes in 2012. From the first step I felt very comfortable in them. They look beautiful on the foot, they are soft which is very convenient for jumping, and when landing after a jump, they do not knock.”
Tatiana has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2012.
Tatiana has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2012.
Estheysis Menendez
Demi-Soloist
Houston Ballet
“I choose to wear Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because, first thing, they are quite comfortable. The plastic is very flexible which allows me to use them immediately without “breaking them in”. Also, I love how quiet they are. I feel in balance and stable in my turns, jump higher, and the most important thing for me is that they are very resistant to sweat. They are very durable shoes.”
Estheysis has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2009.
Photo: L. Floristeria
Estheysis has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2009.
Photo: L. Floristeria
Miho Naotsuka
Soloist
National Ballet of Japan
“Since 2011, I have been wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes. When I was 15, I had a stress fracture and was unable to do ballet for a while. After returning to ballet, my doctor recommended that I look for shoes that put less strain on my feet, so I started wearing Gaynor Minden.”
Miho has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo Yuki Horiguchi, provided by Koransha
Miho has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo Yuki Horiguchi, provided by Koransha
Anna Ol
Principal Dancer
Dutch National Ballet
“When I was just starting my career, it was always a problem for me to find great pointe shoes. I was looking for a pair that would not only fit me perfectly and give my feet good support but, at the same time, allow me to do filigree foot work. I tried many different brands until I got my first pair of Gaynors in 2011. Since then, I have never wanted to have any other pointe shoes. I think they look great and fit extremely well. And I love that I can use one pair for quite a long time. I find it very practical; it saves a lot of my free time.”
Anna has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo: D. Volkova
Anna has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo: D. Volkova
Helga Paris-Morales
Company Artist
Ballet Black
“When I was just starting my career, it was always a problem for me to find great pointe shoes. I was looking for a pair that would not only fit me perfectly and give my feet good support but, at the same time, allow me to do filigree foot work. I tried many different brands until I got my first pair of Gaynors in 2011. Since then, I have never wanted to have any other pointe shoes. I think they look great and fit extremely well. And I love that I can use one pair for quite a long time. I find it very practical; it saves a lot of my free time.”
Helga has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo: S. Bentley
Helga has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2011.
Photo: S. Bentley
Amanda Perez
Artists
Cincinnati Ballet
“Gaynor Minden pointe shoes came into my life to stay. They have been with me since I was a student and I won’t change them for anything, because of their comfort, their durability, they also make a beautiful line and make me feel safe.”
Amanda has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Amanda has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Stanislava Postnova
Corps de Ballet
Bolshoi Ballet
“I started wearing Gaynor Minden pointe shoes when I was a student of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy. These were my first pointe shoes in my ballet life. I bought my first pair of Gaynor Minden when I was 10 years old, and I loved them forever. I like to wear Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because they are practical, the foot looks beautiful and they are comfortable — as for jumps, so for turns. Gaynor Minden has a lot of different pointe shoe models this makes it easy to choose the appropriate pair for each role.”
Stanislava has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: V. Zakharova
Stanislava has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2010.
Photo: V. Zakharova
Olesia Shaytanova
Principal
Lithuanian National Ballet
“I started wearing Gaynor Mindens in 2013 immediately after graduating from the Kyiv State Ballet School. I started my first season in the theater in new pointe shoes, and my first premiere was Gulnara in Le Corsaire and Klara in The Nutcracker. I prepared for these two roles in one month while working in my new pointe shoes by Gaynor Minden. I choose Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because they provide comfort and stability for my feet. It’s easy for me to jump in these pointe shoes and to keep balance and do technical things. I can say one thing: I feel much more confident in these pointe shoes than without them. Not to mention, the ability to choose a model individually is of great importance to me as a prima ballerina.”
Olesia has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: K. Orlova
Olesia has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: K. Orlova
Ashley Simpson
Ballet X
“I choose to wear Gaynor Minden pointe shoes because they allow me to perform at my best, without having to worry about slippery stage marley, if my shoes will die during a long tour, or if one pair will feel different than another of the same model. I truly feel that Gaynor Minden’s strengthen my feet at a level different from other pointe shoes. When I put on these shoes for a performance I dance with the ease of knowing that they will perform exactly as they have been during rehearsal.”
Ashley has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: R. Neville
Ashley has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2014.
Photo: R. Neville
Veronika Verterich
Soloist
The Stuttgart Ballet
“A Ballerina brings two things on stage with her, herself, and her pointe shoes. Gaynor Minden provides durability, security, and a comfortable, pleasing fit. Such qualities put my mind at ease, allowing me to focus on myself and my artistry during classes and rehearsals so that I can portray my abilities worry-free on the stage.”
Veronika has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: Copyright The Stuttgart Ballet
Veronika has worn Gaynor Minden pointe shoes since 2013.
Photo: Copyright The Stuttgart Ballet
