Cara Milo is a knowledgable pointe shoe fitting specialist with nearly two decades of dedicated work supporting dancers en pointe. Having received her formal classical ballet training at Rye Ballet Conservatory, and with over 15 years of teaching experience in ballet and pointe at Rye Ballet Conservatory and Greenwich Dance Studio, Cara has transitioned her focus to full-time pointe shoe fitting.
Cara began fitting pointe shoes in 2008 and has since developed a strong reputation for her expertise in this highly specialized field. She is certified with Suffolk, Nikolay, and the Progressive Pointe Method, and is known for her precise, individualized fittings that prioritize proper alignment, support, and injury prevention. She is particularly skilled at troubleshooting complex or challenging fittings, working closely with dancers to find effective solutions for areas of difficulty. Her ability to assess each dancer’s individual structure and technique has made her a trusted resource for students, teachers, and professional dancers alike. Since taking ownership of Beam & Barre in 2014, Cara has continued its legacy while elevating its reputation as a destination for expert pointe shoe fittings and personalized dancer care. With a deep commitment to dancer health and longevity, Cara approaches every fitting with the same level of attention and dedication she brought to the studio, ensuring each dancer is set up for success en pointe.

Ava Jacobs began her dance training at San Ramon Valley Dance Academy before attending Oakland School for the Arts, where she studied under the direction of Reginald Ray Savage and Alison Hurley. She went on to earn her BFA in Dance and a BA in Arts Management from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, graduating magna cum laude. Ava has attended summer intensives including Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey, LINES Ballet, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and has performed professionally with Savage Jazz Dance Company, appeared as a guest teacher at Oakland School for the Arts, and served on the Arts Commission Board for the City of Norwalk. Ava began fitting pointe shoes in 2016 at Encore Theatrical in the East Bay Area and joined Beam & Barre in 2019, where she has continued to expand her expertise through extensive hands-on experience working with dancers of all levels, ages, and foot types. She holds certifications from Nikolay, Merlet, and Suffolk, further deepening her knowledge of pointe shoe construction, fitting techniques, customization, and injury prevention. Known for her detail-oriented and highly personalized approach, Ava carefully evaluates each dancer’s strength, alignment, and technical needs, often incorporating modifications and recommendations to ensure optimal support, comfort, and durability. With a strong technical background and years of specialized fitting experience, she is dedicated to helping each dancer achieve a precise, supportive fit that allows them to perform safely and confidently.

Natalie Gasparini began studying ballet locally at the age of three. Her serious training and study continued in NYC at Manhattan Youth Ballet, SLK Ballet and with summer intensives at American Ballet Theatre and Complexions. Her many instructors have included ABT Principal dancer Irina Dvorvenko, Sara Knight, Olga Dvorovenko, Deborah Wingert and Marina Stavitskaya. Natalie has been a top competitor at both the Youth America Grand Prix and CT Classic Ballet Competitions. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance and graduated magna cum laude. She has performed professionally as a company member with Visions Contemporary Ballet and as a guest artist with Chevalier Ballet and Long Island Ballet Theatres and is currently dancing with Thomas Ortiz Dance. Certified to teach Adaptive Dance by Boston Ballet, Natalie was the Founder and Artistic Director of Adaptive Ballet and Dance located in Greenwich, CT. She is also an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.

Mary Speed is a former professional dancer, freelance dance instructor, and certified pointe shoe fitter from Jacksonville, Florida. She received her early training at Nancy Dance, LaVilla School of the Arts, and Douglas Anderson School of the Arts before earning her BFA in Dance Performance from the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. Mary has performed works by renowned choreographers including George Balanchine, Doug Varone, and Kyle Abraham, and has appeared at distinguished venues such as Lincoln Center Plaza, New York Live Arts, and the Ailey Citigroup Theater. She has also toured nationally with Hudson Ballet Theatre. In addition to her performing career, Mary is a dedicated ballet educator and highly sought-after pointe shoe fitter. She has been fitting pointe shoes since 2018 and holds certifications with Suffolk Dance, Nikolay, and the Progressive Pointe Method. She has also worked alongside a leading dancewear brand, fitting internationally recognized dancers at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Known for her precise eye and individualized approach, Mary works closely with each dancer to support technique, comfort, and longevity through thoughtful, expert fittings.