The Art of Ballet

Ballerinas have the incredible talent to elegantly move their bodies in ways that express thoughts and emotions. A ballet performance may include a variety of costumes, scenery, and lighting. Ballet can incite a magical, provocative, exciting, or even disturbing experience. Famous ballets include The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and Swan Lake. Some ballets have no plot and solely rely on the motion of dancers to create images and provoke emotion.

Ballet emerged from the courts during the Italian Renaissance period. Noblemen and women attended prestigious events involving dance, music, and a huge celebration. Dance instructors taught the steps to the nobility to allow them to participate in future performances. During the 16^th century, Catherine de Medici’s French court saw the art develop further. Her efforts led to the growth of a program involving dance, costume, song, music, décor, and poetry. King Louis XIV helped propel the art form into a professional endeavor for amateurs by dancing in many roles himself. A dance academy opened in Paris in 1661. By 1682, performers were dancing onstage instead of the courts. The efforts of Jean-Georges Noverre helped transform opera ballet into a dramatic narrative involving relationships between characters, an art form known as ballet d’action.

During the 19^th century, classic ballets evolved to include supernatural and magical themes. It also conveyed women as passive and fragile. These dances became known as romantic ballets. In addition, dancing on the tip of toes or pointe work became the norm for ballerinas. The popularity of ballet increased during the latter part of the 19^th century in Russia. In fact, ballet soared to new heights with the development of timeless narratives, such as the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. Russian choreographers focused on classical technique while incorporating difficult sequences into performances. The classical tutu was also introduced during this time.

• History of Ballet: An educational website providing an overview of ballet history, including early professional, romantic, and 20^th century ballet.
• Early 19th Century Ballet: A brief overview of early 19^th century ballet.
• Russian Ballet: An educational website that shows the historical roots and evolution of ballet in Russia.
• Ballet History 4410: A comprehensive website covering the history of ballet from Ancient Greece to Contemporary America.
• Twinkle Toes: History of Ballet: A webpage that explains the historical roots and evolution of ballet.
• The History of Dance and Art (PDF): An extensive document that provides the history of dance and art, including the elegant dance known as ballet.
• A Brief History of Ballet: The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre shares a brief history of ballet, including its beginnings and development throughout the 19^th century.
• Tracing Ballet's Cultural History Over 400 Years: National Public Radio (NPR) covers over 400 years of ballet history.
• Ballet Austin: The History of Ballet (PDF): A historical recap of ballet, including how it originated, famous choreographers, and 19^th century development.
• History of The Joffrey Ballet: The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) shares the history of the Geoffrey Ballet, an ensemble that toured around the United States with the mission of spreading classical ballet to all those who would be willing to see it.

Ballet has transformed in style over the centuries. Classical ballet reached its height during the 19^th century, with the influence of famous choreographers living in Russia. Classical ballet involves graceful movements, pointe work, turn-out of the legs, balance, symmetry, and emphasizes story ballets with elaborate sets. During the 20^th century, neo-classical ballet reached its height with the work of famous choreographers, such as George Balanchine. Neo-classical ballet involves increased speed and energy. It counters the classical form with a stripped down story line and paired down sets. Contemporary ballet incorporates elements of modern dance. It involves floor work, a greater range of body movement, turn-in of the legs, and pointe shoes. Famous choreographers Paul Taylor, Dwight Rhoden, and Twyla Tharp helped shape contemporary ballet into the respective style of today. It continues its multi-faceted approach by incorporating various styles, costume, and sets to appeal to a wider audience.

• Pennsylvania Ballet: Learn About Ballet: A webpage that provides documents that will help students learn about ballet, including its history, terms, and life of a ballet dancer.
• Ballet 101: Dispelling Myths for Newcomers and Skeptics: The Washington Post dispels myths surrounding ballet, including the truth behind the strength and athleticism needed to perform the art.
• Atlanta Ballet: Ballet Terms and Positions: A webpage that helps students learn more about ballet terms and positions.
• The Washington Ballet: Ballet 101: A spectator's guide to learning more about the art of ballet, including a historical overview, famous ballets, must-see ballets, terms, and tips for enjoying a ballet.
• General Ballet Study Guide (PDF): The Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University provides an all-encompassing study ballet study guide, including terms, positions, shoes, career outlook, and student activities.
• Houston Ballet Study Guide: The Nutcracker 2010-2011 Season (PDF): An extensive document that explains ballet and its role in the Nutcracker presentation.
• American Ballet Theater: Dictionary: The American Ballet Theater provides an online dictionary composed of important ballet terms that every student should learn.
• A Beginner’s Guide to Ballet (PDF): The National Ballet of Canada shares a beginner's guide to ballet, including common exercises, positions, and terms used in the art.
• What is Ballet? (PDF): A lesson plan for ballet instructors to use for their students.
• A Ballet Lesson Plan (PDF): Use this lesson plan to help students learn more about ballet basics.

Many parents decide to enroll their students into ballet courses early in order to get them physically and socially involved with others. While the best ballerinas typically start early, anybody can benefit from the body awareness, muscle control, and emotional development that this art form has to offer. With that said, ballet can prove challenging and rewarding for anyone who dedicates themselves to it. It improves posture, mental acuity, physical prowess, and increased flexibility. Ballet also helps students discover hidden talents due to the numerous roles involved in the performance arts. Exceptional students can pursue dance as a vocation, making ballet a limitless opportunity for all passionate ballerinas.

• Why Take Ballet?: The Studio and School of Classical Ballet addresses the important benefits of taking ballet for both adults and children.
• The Benefits of Classical Ballet: A kid-friendly webpage that highlights the benefits of classical ballet for children.
• Adult Ballet Benefits the Mind and The Body: The Marin Dance Theater tells us how adult ballet soothes the mind and body.
• The Essence of Ballet: A ThinkQuest that covers the history, language, positions, pointe advancement, and how to get started in ballet.
• When Can I Start Pointe Work? (PDF): A resource paper that addresses the guidelines for initiating pointe work.
• How to Start Ballet as an Adult: iSport shares a basic guide for adults looking to start ballet as a hobby in their off-time.
• Adult Ballet: FAQS: A collection of frequently asked questions (FAQs) that adults ask when taking ballet.
• Ballet: Elegance and Fitness in One: The Telegraph explains how ballet instills elegance while transforming one's body.
• The Ballerina Body Workout: Cosmopolitan shares a ballerina's body workout that will help condition students into performers.
• National Dance Week: 5th-8th Grade Ballet Projects (PDF): A document that shares a teacher's objective for ballet training with grade school students.

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