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Ballet

Classical ballet Contemporary ballet Neoclassical ballet Schools French ballet Russian ballet Technique En pointe Glossary of ballet Methods Balanchine method Cecchetti method Vaganova method Other Music

The art of classical ballet can trace its origins to the early seventeenth century, when dancers performed to entertain audiences between scenes of an especially lengthy opera in Italy and Russia. These short dances grew in popularity and importance until they became a form of theater in their own right, accompanied by a standardization of movements and defining of other stylistic conventions. In 1661, King Louis XIV of France founded the Académie Royale de Musique et de Danse, establishing Paris as the center of academic ballet. Italian dancers also developed their own styles and approaches to the dance, and both schools flourished throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. As the years passed, Russia became the international center of ballet, combining the strength and passion of Italian style with the softness and fluidity of the French school.

The typical ballet class attire includes pink, black, or flesh colored tights and a leotard (which can come in various colors and styles), with an optional short wrap-skirt (or tutu). The dancer wears soft technique shoes, often called flats through their classes. Until their bones ossify with age, the tendons in the ankles and feet are relatively strong and they have trained for long enough to wear pointe shoes, then the dancer usually divides ballet class time between the different shoes. The age at which dancers start pointe work varies from student to student. People mature differently, so it is highly advised that one should have a physician check the hardness of one's bones (and not just your ankles feel the wearing of pointe shoes, your knees, hips, back, and arms all change their carriage) and the strength of one's muscles and tendons before purchasing a pair of pointe shoes. Dance instructors are often very knowledgeable, yet they also often do not have education that physicians and doctors have received in medical school. X-rays are also recommended if possible. If, however, the student is above sixteen, the hardness of his or her bones is less of an issue. Strength is paramount in being able to wear pointe shoes for extended periods of time, however. Premature wearing of pointe shoes or insufficient training can result in serious injuries and/or disabilities in later life.

There are seven styles of training in classical ballet, the most common being Vaganova method (Russian), Cecchetti method (Italian), Royal method (English), Royal Acadamey of Dance, and Balanchine method (American). The techniques found in classical ballet are a framework for many other styles of dance, including hip hop dance, modern ballet and contemporary ballet.

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