Meet Our Fitters
MEET OUR FITTERS
Our fitters bring decades of performance experience and technical expertise to every appointment.
Lauren Frere
Owner & Fitter
Lauren is a classically trained ballet artist known for her refined technique, musicality, and expressive depth. Throughout her professional career, she performed a wide range of classical and contemporary repertoire, earning recognition for her versatility and compelling stage presence. Her work was distinguished by a commitment to both technical excellence and authentic storytelling, allowing her to fully inhabit each role she portrayed. In 2011, she was featured in Moments on Art, further highlighting her artistry beyond the stage. Today, she brings that same passion and insight to her work as an owner of Backstage Dancewear.
Having spent her career performing in pointe shoes on professional stages, Lauren brings a level of insight that goes beyond a standard fitting. She knows what it feels like to demand everything from a shoe. She has navigated the challenges of finding the right shoe for her own feet through every stage of her career, from early training through principal-level performance, and that lived experience informs every fitting she does.
Lauren understands that no two feet are alike, and that the wrong shoe can quietly compromise technique, accelerate fatigue, and contribute to injury over time. She fits dancers of all levels — from beginners taking their first steps en pointe to pre-professional and professional dancers with demanding technical requirements — assessing each dancer's foot shape, arch, strength, and movement patterns to find a shoe that works with the body rather than against it. Her goal is not simply to find a shoe that fits today, but one that supports a dancer's long-term health, growth, and artistry at every stage of their training and career.
Jessica
Fitter
Jessica has been a cornerstone of the Backstage Dancewear team since 2008, bringing both depth of experience and genuine passion to every dancer she works with. Since 2012, she has specialized in pointe shoe fitting — one of the most technical and consequential services a dance store can offer.
What sets Jessica apart is her commitment to education. She doesn't just find a shoe that fits; she takes the time to walk each dancer through the why behind every decision — how proper fit protects the foot, supports technique, and impacts long-term health. No two fittings look the same, because no two dancers are the same. Jessica approaches each appointment with fresh eyes, focusing entirely on the individual's foot shape, strength, and goals rather than favoring any particular brand.
That same attention to detail extends beyond the fitting room. Jessica also sews pointe shoes for her customers, personalizing the placement and tension of each dancer's ribbon and elastic to ensure they have the right support from the very first wear. Whether you're stepping into your first pair of pointe shoes or refining a fit after years of training, you're in expert hands.