Ballet is by all standards the most graceful dancing style that exist in our world today. Full of poise and elegance, it is undoubtedly the foundation of all dances.
Ballet has been around for centuries, with a long and interesting one history. It has evolved according to the different cultures of the world that has embraced it. Since its inception, several ballet methods and styles have been established.
Some of the earlier ballet methods include theCecchetti method, the Bournonville method and the Vaganova method. These methods have paved the way to modern ballet and newer methods that have been integrated into the ballet we know today.
Let us look at some 20th century ballet methods that are in the ballet industry today.
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
Established in London in 1920 by Genee, Karsavina, Bedells, E. Espinosa and Richardson, RAD is an international dance examination board that is also known as the English style.
It is one of the youngest ballet methods, this method is also widely spread in Northern America and parts of Asia.
One of the most prominent aspect of RAD teaching method is its emphasis and attention to detail. It is known for its slow progression in difficulty between levels, with complicated steps only taught once a maximum level of technique is achieved.
Basic exercises such as plies and tendus are employed consistently throughout the lower grades to progressively improve the turn-out of students. Students will be able to learn harder steps more easily if there is sufficient time spent in achieving optimal technique before introducing newer and harder steps.
There are two training programs for students under RAD- the Graded Examination Syllabus and the Vocational Graded Syllabus.
The Balanchine Method
Developed by George Balanchine, a graduate of Vaganova Ballet Academy, is a more recent ballet style.
Balanchine took inspiration from the neoclassical style, thus his choreography was more focused on the dance rather than on a plot.
The method trains dancers to utilize more space in less time. It puts emphasis on athletic dance quality with extreme speed, jumps that increased in height, and lines that were lengthened.
New York City Ballet was one of the first companies to employ this method, and it is one of the most widely used methods in the United States.
Currently, it is taught at the official school of New York City Ballet, School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, and at many schools across the USA.
These are but a few ballet methods that are being taught in modern ballet schools today, to find out more about any of these methods why not sign up for ballet for kids, teens or adults.
