Ballet: A History

Ballet is one of the most beautiful forms of dance, a passionate emotional and physical expression developed over centuries by professional dancers across the world. Its roots can be traced back to medieval Europe, but today Ballet has influenced artists in every corner of the globe. 

The royal courts of the Italian Renaissance produced the classical realm of ballet, a discipline which came to be recognized throughout the world as an institution steeped in elegance, with concentrations on delicacy and class. 

The beginnings of ballet in Europe were influenced by the Aristocracy, and early dances were designed alongside popular poetry and music. Over time, ballet became a theatrical event, and a recognized art form. Classical ballet conforms to traditional techniques, with detailed and intense training based on balance and flow. Professional dancers are trained to execute precise routines with strength in the legs and arms. 

Ballet grew to become prominent in Russia, with many dance companies opening across the country, combining local folklore with classical choreography. By the 1930s, it had become a technical and highly respected dance discipline, and the Soviet Ballet produced “Cinderella,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Flames of Paris.” 

Ballet dancers began to tour around the world in the middle of the nineteenth century, landing in New York, where their talents were infused with further expression and theatrical drama. 

Neoclassical ballet, a contemporary form of the dance pioneered by Russian dancer George Balanchine in the U.S., is a combination of traditional concepts mixed with American themes, forged by dance choreography trends out of California in the early 1920s. This style is sophisticated and modern, drawing up romanticism as a main influence.  The first neoclassical ballet performance, “Apollo,” is still performed today. 

Both modern and traditional ballet performances were designed to be full-length storytelling events, with themes exhibited solely through the movements and costumes of the dancers, and there are several different forms of the art named after their founders.

The Vaganova method is often regarded as the most popular, born from the mind of Agrippina Vaganova, a Russian ballet teacher. 

Enrico Cecchetti, and Italian dancer, introduced The Cecchetti method, which concentrates on the body within the teachings of classical ballet, producing simplicity of movement. 

The Bournonville Method is lesser known, styled by Danish dancer August Bournonville, who created over fifty performances in a light style uniquely his own, influenced by French techniques. 

While all ballet styles are similar, there are some variations across the world. Italian techniques, for instance, tends to be faster and incorporate detailed foot movements, while Russian ballet is comprised of high extensions and flawless turns. Each style is unique to its founder, but takes pointers from the classical methods developed in the 15^th century. 

Dancers who commit to learn the Ballet discipline are trained to exude classical elegance with rigorous techniques, and the art transforms the balance and natural flow of the body. From toddlers to teenagers to adult-age experts, Ballet is one of the world’s most popular styles of expression, demanding passion and commitment within its choreography.

High School and College Dance Teams: The Next Step in your Child’s Dance Career

As your child’s education progresses, so does their dance career, and the two can be simultaneously nurtured, both complimenting each other as they learn more about art, society and most importantly, themselves.

By the time they reach high school, they will already have a wealth of experience in their art. They know their plié from their pirouette, and their passion for dancing has cemented into less of a hobby, and more of a lifestyle. High school and college offer many opportunities for seasoned pros in the dancing world, who can join a team of their peers to improve upon their bank of skills and open the door for many more competitive dancing events in the future.

As they become older, the environment gets more challenging. More dedication and commitment to practice is required, judging becomes stricter and routines more complex, but in a massively beneficial way. When your dancers reach high school, it’s likely they’ll see some in their team give up the art, distracted by outside influences that come into play as they graduate from children to teenagers, but the most committed dancers know they must not give up, because it’s just getting to the good part.

The college or high school dance troupes receive massive recognition from their peers. Cheerleading teams at large universities are granted media publicity, and the college application process bends to students who can show they have been committed to extra-curricular activities. High school teams compete in regional and national competitions together, and can be handled alongside your already established dancing commitments.

The advantage of joining a local team at your child’s school means they likely will already have lots of friends in the class, helping them settle in and get to grips with a new group much quicker than if they didn’t know anyone at all. It’s possible they might even have a relationship with the teachers, too.

The underlying principle of becoming a part of a school team is your child can benefit from added experience. Experience their competitors might not have, advancing their own skills and dedicating themselves further to a craft that could become a paying career for them one day.

Dancers who are seen to engage with the rest of their class and portray themselves as responsible, sensible young adults can also take part in the teaching of dance classes to younger groups at local schools in your area, building their own skills and getting to give back to the community of dancers around them. Working with younger dancers is a great way to cement your place as a talented individual who is looking to learn as much about their art as they can.

If you’re looking to guide your child or teenager toward the next, successful step in their dancing development, encourage them to become a part of their school’s dancing team. They will be opening the door for huge opportunities for themselves in the future, helping to shape them into the very best dancers (and adults) you know they can be.