Editing Ballet (section)

== Technical methods of ballet instruction ==

There are six widely used, internationally recognized methods to teach or study ballet. These methods are the [[French ballet|French School]], the [[Vaganova method|Vaganova Method]], the [[Cecchetti method|Cecchetti Method]], the [[Bournonville method]], the [[Royal Academy of Dance|Royal Academy of Dance method]] (English style), and the [[Balanchine method]] (American style).<ref>{{cite book
 | title=Ballet Class, An American History
 | first=Melissa R.
 | last=Klapper
 | page=70
 | publisher=Oxford University Press
 | isbn=9780190908683
 | year=2020
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v5XHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA70
 | access-date=2023-07-08
 | archive-date=2023-07-19
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719182013/https://books.google.com/books?id=v5XHDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA70
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book
 | title=Discovering Dance
 | first=Gayle
 | last=Kassing
 | page=150
 | publisher=Human Kinetics
 | isbn=9781492584544
 | date=23 May 2014
 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yvB6DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA150
 | access-date=July 8, 2023
 | archive-date=July 19, 2023
 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719182012/https://books.google.com/books?id=yvB6DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA150
 | url-status=live
 }}</ref> Many more schools of technique exist in various countries.

Although preschool-age children are a lucrative source of income for a ballet studio, ballet instruction is generally not appropriate for young children.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kaufman|first=Sarah L. Kaufman|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/parents-youre-enrolling-your-little-ones-in-the-wrong-kind-of-dance-class/2019/10/09/158aaaa6-e935-11e9-bafb-da248f8d5734_story.html|title=Parents, you're enrolling your little ones in the wrong kind of dance class|date=10 October 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=7 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207160522/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/parents-youre-enrolling-your-little-ones-in-the-wrong-kind-of-dance-class/2019/10/09/158aaaa6-e935-11e9-bafb-da248f8d5734_story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=March 2021}} Initial instruction requires standing still and concentrating on posture, rather than dancing. Because of this, many ballet programs have historically not accepted students until approximately age 8. Creative movement and non-demanding pre-ballet classes are recommended as alternatives for children.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Paskevska|first=Anna|url=https://archive.org/details/gettingstartedin0000pask|url-access=registration|title=Getting Started in Ballet : A Parent's Guide to Dance Education: A Parent's Guide to Dance Education | date=20 October 1997 | publisher=Oxford University Press, USA|isbn=978-0-19-802773-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/gettingstartedin0000pask/page/30 30]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Medova|first=Marie-Laure|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J_-TYAg4FWsC&pg=PP11|title=Ballet for Beginners | year=2004 | publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4027-1715-4|pages=11|language=en|access-date=8 February 2020|archive-date=5 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705202214/https://books.google.com/books?id=J_-TYAg4FWsC&pg=PP11#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== French method ===
[[File:Flower Festival 01.jpg|thumb|upright]]
The French method is the basis of all ballet training. When Louis XIV created the [[Académie Royale de Danse]] in 1661, he helped to create the codified technique still used today by those in the profession, regardless of what method of training they adhere to. The French school was particularly revitalized under [[Rudolf Nureyev]], in the 1980s. His influence revitalized and renewed appreciation for this style, and has drastically shaped ballet as a whole.<ref>{{Cite news | first=Eric | last=Housh | url=https://www.tututix.com/ballet-methods-what-are-they/ | title=Ballet Methods: What Are They? {{!}} TutuTix | date=9 May 2016 | work=[[TutuTix]] | access-date=2017-07-26 | language=en-US | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111202705/https://www.tututix.com/ballet-methods-what-are-they/ | archive-date=2017-11-11 }}</ref>  In fact, the French school is now sometimes referred to as Nureyev school. The French method is often characterized by technical precision, fluidity and gracefulness, and elegant, clean lines. For this style, fast footwork is often utilized in order to give the impression that the performers are drifting lightly across the stage.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ottawaballetschool.com/Ballet-Methods.html|title=Different Ballet Methods|website=www.ottawaballetschool.com|access-date=2017-07-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711192342/http://www.ottawaballetschool.com/Ballet-Methods.html|archive-date=2017-07-11}}</ref> Two important trademarks of this technique are the specific way in which the port de bras and the épaulement are performed, more rounded than when dancing in a Russian style, but not as rounded as the Danish style.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.dancespirit.com/the_paris_opara_ballet_school-2326043328.html | title=The Paris Opéra Ballet School | date=31 December 2009 | work=[[Dance Spirit]] | access-date=2017-07-26 | language=en | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111202705/http://www.dancespirit.com/the_paris_opara_ballet_school-2326043328.html | archive-date=2017-11-11 }}</ref>

=== Vaganova method ===
[[File:Agrippina Vaganova -Esmeralda 1910.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Agrippina Vaganova, "Esmeralda" 1910]]
The [[Vaganova method]] is a style of ballet training that emerged from [[Russian ballet]], created by [[Agrippina Vaganova]]. After retiring from dance in 1916, Vaganova turned to teaching at the Leningrad Choreographic School in 1921. Her training method is now internationally recognized and her book, ''The Fundamentals of Classical Dance'' (1934), is a classic reference. This method is marked by the fusion of the classical French style, specifically elements from the Romantic era, with the athleticism of the Italian method, and the soulful passion of Russian ballet.<ref name=":2"/> She developed an extremely precise method of instruction in her book ''Basic Principles of Russian Classical dance'' (1948).<ref name="vaganova48">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/basicprincipleso0000vaga |isbn=978-0-486-22036-9 |title=Basic principles of classical ballet; Russian ballet technique | year=1969 |publisher=New York, Dover Publications }}</ref> This includes outlining when to teach technical components to students in their ballet careers, for how long to focus on it, and the right amount of focus at each stage of the student's career. These textbooks continue to be extremely important to the instruction of ballet today.

The method emphasizes development of strength, flexibility, and endurance for the proper performance of ballet. She espoused the belief that equal importance should be placed on the arms and legs while performing ballet, as this will bring harmony and greater expression to the body as a whole.<ref name=ibt1>{{cite web|url=http://ibtacademy.org/content/Vaganova-at-IBT|title=Vaganova Method|language=ru|access-date=2017-07-26|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111202706/http://ibtacademy.org/content/Vaganova-at-IBT|publisher=[[International Ballet Theater Academy]] ibtacademy.org|archive-date=2017-11-11}}</ref>

=== Cecchetti method ===
[[File:Cecchetti jpg.gif|thumb|upright|Enrico Cecchetti with Anna Pavlova]]
Developed by [[Enrico Cecchetti]] (1850–1928), this method is one known internationally for its intense reliance of the understanding of anatomy as it relates to classical ballet. The goal of this method is to instill important characteristics for the performance of ballet into students so that they do not need to rely on imitations of teachers. Important components for this method is the emphasis of balance, elevations, [[Ballon (ballet)|ballon]], poise, and strength.<ref name="beaumont32">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/cecchettimethodo0000beau |isbn=978-0-486-43177-2 |title=The Cecchetti method of classical ballet : Theory and technique | year=2003 |last1=Beaumont |first1=Cyril W. |last2=Idzikowski |first2=Stanislas |publisher=Courier Corporation }}</ref>

This method espouses the importance of recognizing that all parts of the body move together to create beautiful, graceful lines, and as such cautions against thinking of ballet in terms of the arms, legs, and neck and torso as separate parts. This method is well known for eight port de bras that are utilized.<ref name=":2" />

=== Bournonville method ===
[[File:August Bournonville by E. Lange.jpg|left|thumb|upright|August Bournonville]]
The Bournonville method is a Danish method first devised by [[August Bournonville]]. Bournonville was heavily influenced by the early French ballet method due to his training with his father, [[Antoine Bournonville]] and other important French ballet masters. This method has many style differences that differentiate it from other ballet methods taught today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bournonville.com/bournonville46.html|title=Bournonville.com|website=www.bournonville.com|access-date=2017-07-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027025043/http://bournonville.com/bournonville46.html|archive-date=2017-10-27}}</ref> A key component is the use of diagonal épaulements, with the upper body turning towards the working foot typically. This method also incorporates very basic use of arms, pirouettes from a low développé position into seconde, and use of fifth position bras en bas for the beginning and end of movements.

The Bournonville method produces dancers who have beautiful ''ballon'' ("the illusion of imponderable lightness").<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.balletposition.com/blog/the-danish-way-of-dancing-it-all-started-with-bournonville|title=Bournonville: The Danish Way of Dancing - Ballet Position | date=17 June 2016 | work=Ballet Position|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910191614/http://www.balletposition.com/blog/the-danish-way-of-dancing-it-all-started-with-bournonville|archive-date=2018-09-10|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== The Royal Academy of Dance method (RAD) ===
[[File:Young girls competing at the Royal Academy of Dancing (London) exams held in Brisbane and Toowoomba, 1938 (7946600826).jpg|thumb|Young girls competing at the Royal Academy of Dancing (London) exams held in Brisbane and Toowoomba, 1938]]

The [[Royal Academy of Dance|Royal Academy of Dance method]], also referred to as the English style of ballet, was established in 1920 by Genee, Karsavina, Bedells, E Espinosa, and Richardson. The goal of this method is to promote academic training in classical ballet throughout Great Britain. This style also spread to the United States, and is widely utilized still today. There are specific grade levels which a student must move through in order to complete training in this method.<ref name="rad2">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/balletclassillus0000unse/mode/2up |isbn=978-0-09-186531-3 |title=Ballet class : An illustrated guide to the official ballet syllabus | year=1998 |publisher=Ebury Press }}</ref><ref name=rad1>{{cite web|url=http://www.dancevillage.com/en/dance-methods/royal-academy-dance.php|title=Ballet Training Techniques - The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) - DANCE VILLAGE - dance portal and online community|website=www.dancevillage.com|language=en|access-date=2017-07-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227063431/http://www.dancevillage.com/en/dance-methods/royal-academy-dance.php|archive-date=2016-02-27}}</ref> The key principle behind this method of instruction is that basic ballet technique must be taught at a slow pace, with difficulty progression often much slower than the rest of the methods. The idea behind this is if a student is to put in a large amount of effort into perfecting the basic steps, the technique learned in these steps allow a student to utilize harder ones at a much easier rate.<ref name=":2"/>

=== Balanchine method ===
[[File:Suzanne Farrell and George Balanchine NYWTS.jpg|left|thumb|[[Suzanne Farrell]] and [[George Balanchine]] dancing in a segment of "Don Quixote" at New York State Theater]]
Developed by [[George Balanchine]] at the [[New York City Ballet]]. His method draws heavily on his own training as a dancer in Russia. The technique is known for extreme speed throughout routines, emphasis on lines, and deep pliés. Perhaps one of the most well known differences of this style is the unorthodox positioning of the body.<ref name=":2"/> Dancers of this style often have flexed hands and even feet, and are placed in off-balance positions. Important ballet studios teaching this method are the [[Miami City Ballet]], Ballet Chicago Studio company, and the [[School of American Ballet]] in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dancelessons.net/dancehistory/HistoryofBalletDance.html|title=History of Ballet Dance - Dance History Articles|website=dancelessons.net|access-date=2017-07-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222002745/http://dancelessons.net/dancehistory/HistoryofBalletDance.html|archive-date=2017-02-22}}</ref>