Ballet Styles and Training Methods: Ultimate Guide (Which ONE is the BEST?)

[@balletreign]

COMMENT BELOW to let us know what member of the Ballet Friend Group you are! Thanks for watching, ballet nerds ❤️❤️

[@shawnlilybodhi2200]

off topic.. would you guys do a video on ballet fashion? I remember the culture being very specific when i was dancing, Everyone wore clogs back then and you'd buy a perfectly good leotard and immediately cut slits in the neckline. Wearing tights OVER leotards. I remember wearing a long piece of shoe elastic around the waist with a safety pin was another popular thing. Space boooooots of course. I'd be interested to hear what goes now. Love this channel!Thank u

[@juratea1475]

that was so interesting! I just started classes as an adult, been learning for half a year, and I tried guessing which style I am learning in :)

[@margueritekhoury3254]

​@@shawnlilybodhi2200o

[@sachaAlex]

I have to salute you! Amazing video and great research. Unfortunately, you misspronounced some names. I am from Germany and I had Russian and French classes at Uni. As your editing is chef´s kiss ✨you can just show the names without saying them. Anyway, your videos are still absolutely amazing, so please don´t take my critisism to heart.

[@Caroline-jt6ez]

Grew up dancing ballet Balanchine style, the director of the school I was at was a member of NYCB for a bit in the 90s. Now I prefer Vaganova as an adult.

[@phillipvelinov3892]

In a conversation with Irina Kolpakova, one of Vaganova’s last students who is absolutely incredible and is still coaching very fortunate dancers at ABT in her 90s, she shared that Vaganova did a great deal of work to refine all the “port de bras” and coordination of arms, upper body and head movements. She did not invent the Russian method of teaching ballet , but she rather systematized, recorded, and refined the method that already existed. Irina also shared that Vaganova was an incredibly caring and supportive teacher who was there for her even after graduation. As we know, there are many paths to the top of the mountain and each ballet style of teaching can take a student there, as long as there is consistency in the training and the teacher(s) really know the method they are teaching and can find a way to inspire their students.

[@juanjosefarina]

Irina was still a teenager when Agrippina died, but what she did is amazing. Agrippina changed the whole ballet pedagogy, technique and style, which had been completely messy and unscientific up until her teaching years.

[@Vik-chic]

@@juanjosefarina Not exactly. Some well-known Mariinsky teachers and dancers tried to systematize ballet methods and vocabulary long before Vaganova. She had written her famous book in early 1930s same time with her colleagues on teaching method of character and historical dance. Tarasov and Chekrigin in Moscow has published their book on ballet technique just few years later (in fact Tarasov's next voluminous book published 30 years later is still a main work on male dance in Russia). Actually that was a large state order : at that time simultaneously with formation of new Soviet republics state ballet schools in all the capitals of that republics were opened or reorganized, same as folk ensembles, theatres and many other institutions (also used for massive communist propaganda). But during Stalin's time and generally Soviet era all educational institutions were supposed to teach the same. Curricula on all subject were brought to a single standard : Children in all Soviet schools had to learn the same from math and geography to ballet. No one had to deviate from that general model. And since St. Petersburg theater school was the oldest in the country (and leading teachers in Moscow had written their programs not that fast), it was the Mariinsky ballet rules (and not the Bolshoi) that were officially imposed in all prof. ballet schools throughout the country. Although Bolshoi Ballet due to a fact that instead of St.Ptb Moscow became a capital of USSR managed to maintain its features.

[@juanjosefarina]

@@Vik-chic sorry but you are not right. Just some quick bulletpoints before and after of Agrippina, from the top of my head: - Before her, arm positions were not defined, you can refer to books (from newer to older) Veronine Vestoff, Alexis Kosloff, Friedrich Zorn, Stephano Mascagno, Leopold Adice, or even Carlo Blasis. - Before her, there wasn't a strict curriculum, you can refer to Volinsky's Azbuka Klassicheskogo Tantsa or Ekaterina Vazem's autobiography. - Before her, ballet classes hadn't a common structure, refer to Cecchetti's books, Eglevsky's book on Nikolai Legat's classes, Gorsky's classes notations, Veronine Vestoff, Stephano Mascagno, Leopold Adice, etc. - Before her, there wasn't an understanding of how each step was linked to another, and how to progress towards learning classical dance, you can refer to cecchetti's and bournonville's books, since they are who wrote the most about how to learn ballet from zero pre-Vaganova (also, Gorsky's annotations are interesting, and there is also a class by Filipo Taglioni wrote down by Adice). - Before her, the pose attitude still wasn't defined, she has a small passage in her book where she says that "she can't call attitude to the poses effacée and croisée front", but before her "attitude" meant many poses, refer to Alexis Kosloff, Charbonnel, or the researchs of Edmund Fairfax. - Before her, no serious research on dance anatomy had been made, she invited professionals to establish the requirements for ballet training, and the entrance exam was devised around that, you can refer to the 2014's third VA's scientific bulletin. - Before her, the russian pas de chat and the grand pas de chat (jeté développé or flic jeté in other countries) didn't exist, refer to Krasovskaya's biography (the step debuted in Laurencia). - Before her, no other comprehensive book nor movie had been made on ballet training, and she wrote the first piano accompaniment (together with pianist Brodsky), because piano had just started being used at the start of 1900's (Agrippina, Pavlova and Danilova had been trained with violinist for example). - Before her no professional education for ballet teachers had existed, she created the first two year higher education program, that's why she is sometimes referred to as "the first professeur"

[@juanjosefarina]

Aside from that, Agrippina created the russian ballet style as we know it today; she was virtuose and fierce, and together with Volinsky, they conceived the idea of a "heroic" russian ballet style, which gave birth to those big poses raising the chin and arms high and strongly, filled with proud, she of course inherited some of Preobrashenskaya and Cecchetti's style and technique, and the big emphasis on allegro that she herself explains in her book.

[@junglesuperstar9270]

@@juanjosefarinapreobrazhenskaya

[@MarijeK]

You guys!! You touched on everything! I'm a Cecchetti teacher, and I would like to add that both Cecchetti and RAD (like you said) are very much suited for recreational dancers. Cecchetti has a similar system with grades for students, to work towards the hard stuff. So the lack of allongé in RAD, is very handy when you teach children or recreational dancers. Because they can't get confused or distracted as much, and work on strength first. I don't think you would find a lot of professional dancers that are just Cecchetti or RAD trained, they would usually spend some time at a school that teaches a style that is more like what is done on stage today (you also mentioned that). On the other hand, as Vaganova is designed for the perfect, professional student, it is hard to use that style to teach recreational dancers... A teacher would need to know exactly what they're doing, adjusting the syllabus toward amateur students. Sadly, where I come from, I see a lot of shabby teaching, lack of strength and lots of aimless arm flapping. They also don't have the examinations, that are a test for the teachers as well. Vaganova is beautiful when taught well to carefully selected students. (You did say that) (this video was perfect, thank you).

[@balletreign]

Wow thank you so much, that means a lot! We appreciate your insight and positive feedback. Thank you!! 😆😆

[@amywaves80s]

Hi! What is RAD? 😊😅

[@MarijeK]

@@amywaves80s Royal acadamy of Dance, it's a syllabus developed in the UK, but used world wide. It's designed to help teachers teach ballet in a very organised way, to recreational dancers as well as more serieus students. There are regulated examinations at the end of each level. It's not the same as the Royal Ballet School, which is just for professionals, and has a different style.

[@amywaves80s]

@@MarijeK Thank you very much for answer! 😊

[@uikmnhj4me]

Yes!!! I went to a Vaganova studio for my first 12 or so years of ballet, and it was a rough place to start. When I transferred to a Balanchine/Cecchetti school it was a much better fit and I finally excelled.

[@julianomuertas2023]

For latin American's dancers the cuban style is one of our pillars too, and with this video I see that it has a lot of things from different schools, specially English and Russian

[@wiredayan9719]

I was waiting for them to mention the Cuban Style

[@Danceandballetlessons]

Me too​@@wiredayan9719

[@Maria.0.1]

I’m a 100% a Vaganova girl. I saw the Nutcracker in the Mariinski theatre and I cried the whole time. It was truly one of the most magical and moving experiences I’ve had. Their dancers are truly incredible ♥️

[@mariakobzieva8518]

so glad to hear that ❤ love from Russia ❤

[@primalcritters]

Russian ballet all the way ❤❤❤❤

[@christiecakes014]

I trained with the Vaganova style and loved it; everything just seemed more expressive and I loved being able to put in little dramatic flairs in my dancing. I remember being part of a children's cast for the Moscow Ballet's Nutcracker tour and just naturally did something with my arms and head during a leap and the instructor just went 'Very Vaganova - everyone, do that!' Also, I don't think I could've ever done those front-side fouettes lol

[@balletreign]

Haha we LOVE dancing in the Russian style! The dramaaaa ❤️✨thanks for sharing your experience! 😆😆

[@primalcritters]

Russian all the way ❤❤❤❤

[@emiliayap8762]

I learned my basics from a Vaganova trained dancer but they stopped teaching adult classes, so now I'm in more RAD style adult classes and often say to myself in my head "Vaganova, baby!" as I do my nice, big, port de bras 😂 thankfully the teachers understand that we all come from different places!

[@balletreign]

Vaganova and RAD are like total opposites too! That must have been fun lol 😂

[@primalcritters]

Vaganova really is the best and most beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@charliebradley-ye3cf]

cecchetti mentioned!! i'm a cecchetti dancer, i've done almost all the exams and im so glad you guys featured it! i never really see people talk about the method and all the things you talked about were so well explained, thank you for all your work ❤️

[@balletreign]

Aww!! Thank you so much for the positive feedback, we are so glad you enjoyed the is video! ✨😄😄

[@yongnambang6735]

Serenade is the most complex ballet or any art work that a human being has ever produced! in 20 minutes Balanchine ballet, you done 3 hours of choreography! The greatest choreographer that has ever lived! I mean Symphony in C, Concerto Barocco, Violin concerto, jewels….the most original and varied styles from the very modern to the very classic, neoclassical….no other choreographer has had such influence in the dance world!

[@JMA864]

I’d like to hear how dancers adapt when they move to a company with a different style. How much are they expected to re-form their technique? Like, has Vadim Muntagirov become more RAD in movement after being at the Royal Ballet?

[@louiseburns7461]

Loved these comprehensive descriptions! Lifelong Cecchetti nerd here - My 1960's/70's anatomically safe ( and beautiful) training has allowed me to keep dancing for sixty years.

[@DreyaLynx]

I feel the same way!

[@audreymar5941]

French school here ! And you guys are pretty spot on. Two things I would add : petite batterie is very much also a staple of French school even today. And the importance of the épaulement (which is something you will hear about at least 30 times in class) is very much staple French school style. I wholeheartedly agree on the cleanliness aspect which makes the corps de ballet so satisfying to watch.

[@valerina01]

Agreed. French-method trained dancers are known for their quick petit allegro. Very exciting!

[@oliviafyfe4759]

I did RAD as a teen and now I've joined a Checchetti school as an adult. I find the differences between the techniques endlessly fascinating - also can confirm that Checchetti frappes are HARD!

[@MrsStewartRathbone]

As a Vaganova-trained dancer, I heard "drama" and I was CALLED OUT 😂😂😂

[@pollysshore2539]

I started ballet in 1984 and my teacher had just returned from finishing her education in France. The studio owner had an interesting mix of French, Cecchetti and Vaganova. I was born with hip dysplasia. My feet turned in and the left turned in the most. I became obsessed with ballet as a toddler in the 1970s, after seeing ballets on PBS. I was enthralled by the feet. My parents purchased a book about ballet for me and I carried it everywhere. When I was 4 I was given the choice of leg braces or a surgery that would require wearing a body cast for an extended period to fix my hip dysplasia. I kept shouting about ballet. My parents eventually listened and within the first year my feet had straightened out substantially. When I moved into classes taught by Libby, the studio owner, I can remember her chewing someone out that was helping with selections for pointe class after they said I had bad feet. She informed them that my feet were fine and that they had no idea how hard I’d worked and far I’d come. Unfortunately I had to have surgery and it took me out of ballet, jazz and tap. I’ll aways have a deep love and appreciation for it.

[@fernandahudson1101]

In Brazil the Cuban style is quite popular, that's the style I learned when I was a dancer, it's very beautiful

[@elo-weeze]

I'm RAD trained, sometimes you complete both the numbered grades and vocational grades at the same time. For example I've just taken my grade 8 whilst also doing Advanced 1 at the same time. :)

[@bahhome_bug8620]

Yes, this is what I did! I did Grade 6 and Intermediate together, Grade 7 and Advance I together, and Grade 8 and Advance II together. But I skipped the Int and Adv foundations 😭, and I left my studio before doing Solo Seal. Actually, when I was registering for Grade 6 and Intermediate, my teacher told me I wasn't good enough to handle two at a time, even though all my classmates were registered for both the recreational and vocational levels. But I didn't listen to her and did both anyway, and I ended up scoring the highest in my studio for both exams 😏

[@sebumpostmortem]

Monsieur August Bournonville is the OP of *Never skip leg day* comment about a couple of centuries before the internet existed. Credit to him!😉 Amaaaazing video, ladies🙌🏼🧛🏻‍♀️🖤 Edit: I was born soviet so, vaganovalieber.

[@ErulisseLaureithil]

I ADORE Balanchine. The arms, the athleticism, the freedom of movement, it’s all so quintessentially American in my opinion. It’s the marriage of something very old, very traditional, and the wild untamed American spirit. Like in the movie Joika, “Russian precision with American fire.”

[@kdub10009]

Balanchine is the most interesting style to watch, the most dynamic and athletic and musical. It’s good to start with another type of training and then move into Balanchine around age 14 or so.

[@uikmnhj4me]

That’s what I did!

[@primalcritters]

Vaganova is the most beautiful

[@suzannesantamaria3243]

My ballet teacher always said that cecchetti was the original style and talks a lot about how vaganova was his student and how a lot of things stemmed from the cecchetti method. I took my grade 1& 2 exams in June and my grade 3 in November and I’m working on doing my grade 4 in June but it’s really hard. Also the upper levels of cecchetti are so so hard, grade 6, 7, and diploma are so incredibly difficult, and are mostly en pointe. Thank you for making this video, it was super fun to see all of the details about all of the styles!

[@balletreign]

Cecchetti is SO HARD 😅😅 we’re glad this video was helpful to you and that you enjoyed it! 👍🏻😆😆

[@PaulinaValenzuelaMunoz]

There is a recent video of a graduation year of La Scala School in KZbin, and the whole exam was done on pointe! Barre and center!!

[@Vik-chic]

Of course, she used the experience of her forerunners. Take a look at my big comment above if you are interested

[@anaistshiunza3486]

I am definitely french style trained with an hint of Bourgonville (my head placement especially) and I honestly love it. I always feel a bit regal when dancing even if I was dancing as a village girl

[@goatsquared]

As someone who started as an adult I've basically gotten a mishmash of everything except Balanchine in training - and then had to remember which teachers prefers which type of placement and movement... an added challenge! When watching ballet, I feel like any style can be beautiful and it ultimately depends on the dancer and whether their choice of movement effectively portrays their/the choreography's intention. I loved this video and I hope you do a similar video for contemporary styles of dance too! Cunningham, Graham, Horton, "SYTYCD-style" haha

[@vickiduffett]

Yes, please! So much information with this video, and so much still to learn with the contemporary styles. Also, I've been curious about the terms, "Contemporary", "Classical", "Neo-Classical", "Modern", "Post-modern" (so confusing)!

[@erinw4935]

While not a "true" Vaganova trained dancer, I was trained here in America by former Mariinsky and Bolshoi students who had gone through the Vaganova Academy. My trademark as a dancer, especially after my studio unfortunately had to close and I transferred into a school that primarily taught Cecchetti, was that sort of artistic flair. I was always so shocked when most people I knew said ballet was restrictive and boring, I felt like ballet was very artistically fulfilling! Then, I went to the Cecchetti school where they initially tried to stifle me and I understood what everyone else was talking about. That particular teacher was eventually corrected (the head of the school knew my background) and eventually I was giving my classmates little pointers on how to do "that thing with the head" or "the flicky thing you do with your fingers" while they taught me how to do that goddamn Cecchetti frappe. XD

[@nooripuss1]

I grew up watching Ballanchine, so when I started watching other styles I thought everyone moved too slowly and I thought costumes got in the way! I have come to appreciate other styles now. Thank you for this video.

[@mellieg.7543]

As someone who only really has heard of the Balanchine style (but never sure what other the other syles of Classic ballet were and how to spot the difference between them) I found this video incredibly insightful.

[@eslolin]

Vagonava all the way ❤️ so beautiful and love the incorporation of directions of the body at barre and the use of head and shoulders

[@balletreign]

Thanks for sharing! We love the Vaganova method and Russian style in general ✨✨

[@dmitrykim3096]

And what is your style ​@@balletreign

[@primalcritters]

💯 vaganova forever

[@PamalaHess]

You young ladies are obviously trained, skilled and experienced. Would love to see you on your feet more often demonstrating the steps and moves.

[@tamaraa9876]

My daughter’s ballet school trains in ISTD Imperial Classical which we’ve been told is based on the French Style. She is going to a summer intensive at a school that teaches the Vaganova style. We were able to watch a masterclass and the teacher commented on how my dancer (and others) was only raising her leg to 90 degrees. I was thinking because it’s perfectly placed, and her hips are square. Her teacher is a little worried that their style is going to impact her technique. We will see.

[@chefirkat]

This video explained some reasons why my summer intensives were so hard for me. I was trained by someone very set in the balechine style. These balenchine habbits drove several instructors at intensives crazy. Especially my second position of the arms and pirouette prep. And now i truly get why

[@victorialy7039]

When you were mentioning the strictness/selectiveness of Vaganova school, I can immediately hear my Russian teacher’s voice “that’s not a fifth position” whenever my heels and toes are slightly not touching each other in fifth😅 I’m lucky to have the range and know how to develop my turnout safely, so I was glad that I was pushed to perfect my turnout. But I think it’s important to find the right style for your body, forcing turnout may be necessary for me but not everyone’s body can push that quickly 😊

[@yvonnestubbs4093]

I am in Australia and to me ballet was just ballet. I had no idea about the different techniques. Thank you very much for your informative presentation. Like all little girls I wanted to do ballet, but I was born with deformed feet and it was not possible. But that doesn't stop me watching and admiring. I have loved your explanation of individual ballets and I would love to see more. THANK YOU❤❤❤

[@Luineile]

Definitely a big fan of the Royal Ballet. But my favourite ballet dancer will always be Aurelie Dupont ☺️

[@elodiejannet7149]

Hello, I'm a former French ballet soloist and a great lover of 'classical' dance as we call it in France. I really like your approach and your vision of dance and thank you for the very interesting content you share with us. It's true that French ballet is marvellous and the lines are very pure. On the other hand, I think that today it has lost its way. You mention the Paris Opéra because it's a showcase abroad but, to be honest, today it's not the best showcase at all. Rudolf Nureyev was indeed an exceptional dancer and he did a great deal to develop the role of the man in ballet, but for those who love the romanticism of ballet, of which I am one, he did a great deal to erase it. For many years now, the Paris Opera has been replacing its choreographies by Marius Petipa and others with those of Rudolf Nureyev. They are sometimes more technical but, frankly, we have lost the romanticism that characterised 'ballet à la française'. Violette Verdy, who was director of the Paris Opéra Ballet for five years, made the same observation back in 1980. The Paris Opéra currently trains very good technicians, but interpretation has been lost... At present, the only star who retains this delicacy of interpretation is Park Sae Eun, and she is Korean... So now you understand my point of view. French ballet used to be one of the best in the world, but today Danish, German, American, Russian and Asian ballets have done a much better job of preserving this marvel of romanticism that is ballet. I'm aware that what I'm about to say will upset some people, but you should know that there are many current and former European dancers who feel the same way, and I'm very saddened by this. In a short while, I'll be moving to Asia and I'm looking forward to discovering ballet companies and other types of dance because, fortunately, this continent loves its traditions. Thank you for reading this far. :) Translated with DeepL.com (free version) Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

[@Vik-chic]

All my last visits to the Paris Opera have been disappointments. In my opinion, they are too keen on contemporary pieces.

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Much of ballet today are using tricks to substitute for the elegance and beauty of ballet.

[@EmL-kg5gn]

Thank you for sharing this, it’s really interesting. I have no issue with more modern styles but I’m really glad there are still some dancers preserving what’s important and unique about the traditional approach!

[@primalcritters]

I think Russian is the best and thank you for your take. ❤

[@gonefishing167]

Very old phrase. “Italy invented it, France refined and named it . Then Russia took it and made it their own.” Hard to argue with. Thank you girls 🩰🩰🩰🩰🩰👵🇦🇺

[@firstlast6109]

I became a Sovjet prestige project and got the means to perfect it. We all benefit from that.

[@Neosoul_prima]

France invented it, Italy refined it, and then Russia took it even further!

[@Lapidu18]

Maria Taglioni...

[@sabrinatscha2554]

I thought it originated in England

[@angiez4398]

I've heard, "Italians invented, the French codified it, Russians perfected."

[@nope4008]

I'm a grade 7 in RAD and let me tell you..........THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN THANKFUL I WASN'T DOING THE EXAM CAUSE MY GOD!!!!! EVERYTHING FROM THE BAR TO FREE MOVEMENT IS EVIL!!!!!!!

[@firstlast6109]

The ones who put extreme demands are the ones who do not have to perform them themselves. The human anathomy hat limitations and the should not be forced.

[@annaluciaschmitz]

Hahaha I have done the higher examination Grade 7 etc. and now I’m doing Intermediate foundation. It is evil for some parts, but I like the style of training more than Vaganova and Balanchine.

[@input4717]

I am the only Vaganova trained student in a more or less RAD based recreational adult class. And I love Vaganova. Especially to "breath" and allonge with the arms. I think my classmates somehow consider my port de bras as "weird affectations". 🤣 But I can't help. If I try to do the port de bras RAD like, my dancing looks rather robotic. 🙈

[@Homerun153]

I love Vaganova and understand what you are saying. Plus the way the arms 'clear' the head to fully display the neck, shoulder-line, and head is always gorgeous.

[@primalcritters]

Vaganova is the best and most beautiful in the world ❤

[@ExpiredEden]

SO glad you touched upon Balanchine's musicality! as a complete amateur who can't differentiate elongation or specific angles and other technical details, i ALWAYS notice the way Balanchine dances express music in a way that feels "familiar" and "relatable" to how the average person FEELS music (if that makes any sense lol). i think if you tried to make the most boring "Balanchine" influenced choreography, it will still be satisfying to watch lol

[@barbaraangelim8716]

I have trained in Vaganova, RAD and ENBC (the Cuban style) and ENBC has my heart forever!!! Love the very long sequences and endless pirouettes and the respect on the Latin American body. Alicia Alonso is my everything. Thanks for the video, girls, such a great job!!!

[@mermaidopulence8539]

So when I was younger I was trained in more RAD style but when I came back to ballet at the studio I'm currently dancing at they are Balanchine trained which was so different from what I was used to. One thing I want to point out is when we do our frappé we always start from sur le cou de pied before we do the frappé. Also y'all were spot on about teachers having us hold balls in our hands to get the "Balanchine claw". One thing I noticed was that I gained so much strength in my speed in order to do all of the fast steps and variations.

[@em8559]

I am an adult beginner who has loved Russian ballet for a long time, and honestly, being able to learn this style from a Vaganova trainer teacher means everything for me! Sure I won't have the flat turnout or hyperextensions, but still, learning the positions of the head, use of the arms and back, the epaulement and overall coordination I feel is very applicable to recreational ballet, and it just makes me feel beautiful ❤️🩰

[@ballet_by_neila6606]

Vaganova is my favorite!

[@primalcritters]

💯 most beautiful in the world. Russian ballet has no equal

[@effiemeandmydolls657]

OK girls. Now you pushed me down the Bournonville rabbit hole.... Cecchetti trained, but probably better suited to Bournonville. I do thank my lack of injuries and still being able to move at 45 to my teachers who *never* pushed over turnout or hyperextension (one of my teachers was RAD certified too). My one request is that you analyze the Pigling Bland and Pigwig pas de deux from the Beatrix Potter ballet. It is one of my favorites of all time.

[@tiffcat1100]

I LOVE this ballet & have the dvd to watch & the cd for my car & also the music from iTunes on my phone; I listen to it every ballet Wed morning! ❤

[@Campanula.rapunculus]

Ballet nerd here 🤓 , not a dancer, but Vaganova or French are my favorites to watch (if I have to choose) 💕 ✨️

[@isabelaandzico]

Я люблю это видео! I love this video. I was trained in Московская государственная академия хореографии - The Bolshoi Ballet Academy. It suits me and my body type well. Growing up I was hyper flexible, active and just always doing the most! My coach from the beginning told me to observe the legendary Ulyana Lopatkina , even though she’s from the Mariinsky to help “manage” my long arms and legs. I also had teachers in the former Soviet republics and former Eastern Bloc who were trained in the Vaganova method, so I got the best of both worlds. I’d say that there’s a head/arm/épaulement to go with every single movement and I still move in the same way sometimes when I’m not dancing. I had the abnormal mobility and fearlessness that makes me love that I found the right home and coach in Yelena Ryabinkina! I appreciate all varieties. I had the joy of dancing one of my favorite PDDs of all time: Flower Festival and yes the Danish beat the petit allegro into me. They’re the happiest onstage, perhaps a serial killer’s dream because of their friendliness (respectfully of course). My other adventure outside the Russian Style was being coached by Gelsey Kirkland in a few Balanchine’s works. At first, I was like Bambi on ice! But I enjoyed the challenge. Balanchine dancers are your over caffeinated friends. Balanchine made the music 🎼 and equal partner to the choreography. Vaganova placed all the emphasis on PDD, and ironically her only piece of choreography is Diana et Acteon, arguably one of the most glorious and hardest PDDs ever made! Спасибо большое ☺️🇵🇹🇧🇷🩰 27:55

[@balletreign]

Thanks as always for sharing ur experience! You had some very incredible coaches in your journey ✨✨✨

[@Vik-chic]

Few people know that Vaganova came up with the idea of ​​"swan port de bras" in Swan Lake🦢🦢🦢 Interesting to know the name of your teacher in school !

[@donnaburkett7854]

I like that a Cecchetti pirouette takes off from the center. It can easily go in any direction.

[@claraaa07]

I’m really sad you didn’t talk about the Cuban Method. It was so groundbreaking for the dance culture in America, and creates such great, expressive and virtuosic dancers. It’s a shame it isn’t well known.

[@balletreign]

We LOVE Cuban trained dancers! ✨✨ there are SO many different training methods and styles out there, obv we couldn’t cover all of them, but we covered the basics in this video👍🏻👍🏻

[@zaza7594]

​@@balletreignif anything that would make a great part 2 in the future ! I'd watch it for sure ❤

[@danixity4225]

Coincido, faltó el método cubano, pero aún así buen video Gracias por compartir❤👍🏻

[@luizaadnet3449]

@@balletreign there are only 7 teaching methods, actually! those you mentioned + the cuban, wich is the most recent one. love watching your videos.

[@melodysafo5437]

@@balletreignI’d love to see a part two!

[@firstlast6109]

I am due to being from Copenhagen a Bournonville fan but of course I love other styles too. There are different ballets coreographed in and for different styles and that is good. Russian themes need a Russian style and American themes an American. It is also a joy to see the same theme danced in different styles. It would be boring to see the same coreography and the same theme repeateted again and again. Sometimes it is a new beautiful experience and sometimes it all goes wrong. It must be that way because ballet is an art and not a simple reproduction.

[@balletreign]

We LOVE Bournonville… but yall know that already 😂😂 great points u brought up, absolutely agree ✨✨

[@philzmusic8098]

When Mariinsky does Balanchine, it definitely goes wrong!

[@firstlast6109]

That is the way that art works. There is no defined outcome. You cant expexct that everything is to your liking. I am however convinced that they did their best. Marinsky does not do things halfways.

[@philzmusic8098]

@@firstlast6109 What the Russians do most of the time is to slow the tempo. Tempos are the critical basis of Balanchine's choreography. I'm not the only person to make this point.

[@firstlast6109]

@@philzmusic8098 Mariinsky are perfectionists and perfection takes time. However if the tempo is important , they will cone up last.

[@Kangamoos]

I started with the Cecchetti method, and then moved onto RAD. It was tough needing to lose some of the fluidity for RAD exams, but I got there in the end. Every time I see someone cross their arms I hear my teacher scolding me in my head

[@virginia-rosemakeup9697]

Yay! Highlight of the week 🥰🥰🥰 This is one of my absolute favourite types of video, I was trained RAD but when going to Masterclasses was introduced to Balanchine (not my favourite in all honesty) French which I loved, Vaganova, I loved however being intensively RAD I did find the 'Breaking of Ballet Rules' as my teachers would have said slightly less 'Pure' less Regal/more gymnastic but still amazing, and my teachers definitely did not appreciate the 'Broken Wrist' arm line I tried to sneak into my RAD classes "Long and rounded, never break the wrist Virginia!" One I absolutely ADORE is Bournonville, it's absolutely beautiful and almost a more 'Human' way of moving, such a whimsical style I love it! Okay imma make more tea and actually watch the video now, I'm so excited!!! No doubt I'll be watching at least 5 times as with all Ballet Reign videos 🤣🥰☕☕☕💜💜💜🩰🩰🩰

[@balletreign]

Hahaha thanks for sharing your experiences! RAD is the complete opposite of Balanchine lol 😂 Thanks for enjoying tea over ballet with us today 😆😆

[@oxoelfoxo]

at least 5x!?! 'grats for adding to their watch hours!

[@nixonstan628]

balanchine trained at SAB for 6 years - in the lowest levels (for 6-8 year olds), we were taught to cup our hands with all of our fingers but our pinkies (creating a kind of "O" shape with the hands). the pinky would stick out as if youre holding a teacup. after a few years, we were told to release our pointer and ring fingers but keep our middle finger and thumbs touching. and then a few years after THAT, you would release the middle finger and end up with a balanchine claw.

[@nixonstan628]

I think a contributor of why balanchine dancers have such good musicality is that all students who go through intermediate levels at SAB are required to take music classes (covering music theory, basic piano skills, aural training, etc) and in combinations, musicality is played with a lot even from a young age, doing the same skills but on different counts/for different lengths of time/etc.

[@oxoelfoxo]

ooh, no wonder then!@@nixonstan628

[@philzmusic8098]

@@nixonstan628 Balanchine could read orchestral scores; he could have had a career as a conductor. Hence the great musicality of all his choreography. "See the music, hear the dance."

[@Homerun153]

Musicality cannot be taught - you either have it or you don't. Keeping in time is not musicality. Those who have it appear to have the music flowing out of them.​@nixonstan628

[@nixonstan628]

@Homerun153 i disagree, especially when teaching kids from a young age. if this were true then balanchine wouldn't have a reputation of extraordinary musicality in the dancers he trains.

[@nazihahere]

August 2nd, 2024 I like the way you guys referred to the styles as “friends” and showed cute images at the end of each!! August 6th, 2024 It’s really cool that Bournonville focuses on looking “whimsical” and friendly/relaxed!! 15:49 I hope to find Ceccheti trained teachers one day 💖 26:38 I think the studio I go to follows the balanchine style! 1:05 French Style = Classy, elegant, good example friend. Always presentable. 4:30 Bournonville Style = Smol bean golden retriever. 11:05 Ceccheti Method = Non judgemental nerd friend. Very smart, very clever, glasses. 16:49 Vaganova style = Popular dramatic glam + selective friend. 21:50 RAD method = mom friend, orderly, dependable, warm friendly open to everyone. 26:15 Balanchine Training Method = Spontaneous, entertaining, charismatic

[@dionysiapalmer3945]

Well.i learnt so much! Even at midnight watching this ...i did Ceccheti with a strict teacher in the 50's & 60's..exams too. Then stopped as a 13 yr old to do Calisthenics ( big in Australia) i went vack to ballet as a 28 yr old then did RAD in my 40's. Had to relearn the new style I love my ballet class..am 71 now but miss havin g a live pianist. I opened a dance school and had itfor 25 yrs with a live pianist..lucky children

[@waitwhothis22]

Cecchetti trained for 10 years then moved to RAD. Cecchetti is such a great foundation training for technique and then adding RAD training from Advanced foundation really allows you to create better musicality within the technique. Theory though changed massively and confused me the most aha!! Overall I always love cecchetti but have been loving getting to know the RAD method.

[@maybewise]

I REALLY like the Cecchetti and French methods

[@johanna1146]

This is the most extensive, detailed, and ENTERTAINING portrayal of the different ballet styles that I have EVER come across on KZbin. And I have really been looking out for it for quite some time. Big thank you from a German ballet fan!

[@balletreign]

Welcome and thank you so much for your kind comment. Big hugs and greetings to all our German ballet fans from the USA 🇺🇸 🇩🇪

[@nightyley]

My little sis loves to watch your vids (she‘s 3 yo). Because of you we are going to enroll her in a ballet school.❤

[@balletreign]

AWWW this melted our hearts 🥹🥹 thank you so much for watching and for sharing ballet with your sister! ❤️

[@tiffcat1100]

🥰

[@GiaK_slay]

ok, i just have to brag real quick. I'm a 12 yr old dancer hoping to work professionally in ballet eventually. My studio is not at all ballet focused. but i was just having some fun, i was dancing around my room with my pointe shoes on while watching this video. Randomly, out of know where, I did a TRIPLE PIROUETTE EN POINTE!!! AHHHHHHH!!!! Im just exited, and really needed to share this with someone other than my parents who know nothing about dance.😂😆😆😆

[@balletreign]

Yessss you go! 🎉 the power of ballet nerd vibes lol 😂😂

[@jonnarobinson7541]

Cecchetti trained. Yes, the fifth crosses at the joint of the big toe. Remembering my exams and my wonderful teacher Miss McClure❤ your video was excellent my dears. To add to your history knowledge, ballet was first introduced in Italy as a court dance. Maria d’Medici introduced to France and from there it evolved under Louis the 14th.

[@brendadufaur37]

I've been an avid balletomane for 66 years. My dance teacher was Valerie Smith whom the great Alexandra Danilova mentored. What do you mean by recreational dancer? Anyway, the Vagonova style is splendid. But hard to compare apples and oranges. N.Y.C.B. dancers have to do speed so they can't do certain other things or look a certain way which I used to find disappointing until I changed my view. That stumpy Balanchine attitude is so unaesthetic. I want to chop it off or unstick it. Morgan Fairchild was/is so incredible. There are so many great dancers. Osipova. You wouldn't know where to start. Suzanne Farrell had such a languid quality. She's on tape doing Concerto Barrocco and it's incredible.

[@ClaudiaSuarez22]

As a future ballet historian, I LOVE your guys' videos!! And finally, we have a video honoring the different styles and schools of ballet. BUT I always notice people forget the Cuban style :(

[@Sophiesdays]

How does one become a ballet historian?? Sounds fascinating

[@HeatherLandon227]

I think I was trained in a combo of Ballanchine, French and Russian. My teacher growing up studied under Irene Folkine, who was DEFINITELY Russian trained. Nowadays I turn on Kathryn Morgan's classes on youtube when I feel like it.

[@admere-r3d]

I'm vagonava trained but I ENJOY watching blanenchine and checcetti, it just fills my cup tbh

[@dottiedavis355]

I always think - the most French dancer: Sophie Guillem. Watch her, you’ll understand. _And_… For a real thrill, watch Diana Vishneva (Vaganova school dancer) perform “Rubies” (Balanchine ballet). Thanks, Ladies! So interesting and informative, as usual.

[@balletreign]

ABSOLUTELYYY 🤩🤩

[@levicopp3224]

Sylvie Guillem

[@TheEileen]

I, like so many, did ballet as a child. In my case, in the 1960s. I had the hyperextension and massive flexibility and a focus on practice. I loved it. I was literally "prescribed" ballet for my (it was then called) hyperactivity. The pediatrician 'prescribed' ballet for girls and football for boys (yeah, I know) as a method of having rigid and routinized physical activity that if you got 'fidgety', you'd go practice. I never could understand why we did 30 minutes of barre work in class. I'd done an hour of it at home first, so I'd be ready for the 'real' dancing. But, I had no clue what method, except by listening and watching. I think she must have been a Vaganova based on position of body, hands, arms, head. I love learning that, thank you. Turns out the reason I had all that lovely flexibility was a medical condition that put paid to my being able to do ballet by the time I was 10. Most of my joints were too weak, in particular my ankles and bones of the foot. I couldn't hold any weight en pointe. Luckily, my teacher had figured that out by then and we'd tried a few 'work arounds' but it was decided that it was just too dangerous and risky for me to keep going. Dang it, I was such an angry 10 year old who didn't understand that the adults were looking out for future/adult me.

[@tiffcat1100]

❤

[@RomiGurl]

I am so excited to start my daughter on Vaganova style ballet !

[@tiffcat1100]

Ballet with Isabella on KZbin ❤

[@nekograce7914]

I think that’s a wonderful sentiment, “the feet are the rhythm, the arms are the melody”. I think it’s a concept that travels outside ballet to other forms of dance like hip hop. MJ comes to mind as someone who projected that kind of…feeling? That’s not the word I’m looking for but y’all get it. I only did ballet in recreation and hated it, my areas were jazz, hip hop, and a bit of modern but I appreciate ballet. It’s the building blocks of dance. Lovely video!!!

[@potionprincess1]

😊🫶🏼 I loved this. I was a cecchetti gal, turned RAD at the end. Always preferred by Cecchetti really, I think it's in my muscle memory still! 😅

[@Swimmer47]

Very interesting! I’m inclined to like the Vaganova technique. Hence my appreciation for Svetlana Zakarova

[@primalcritters]

I think most people in a pool agree that the vaganova method is the most beautiful form of ballet in the world. Let's face it, there are more Russian prima ballerinas dancing not only inside of Russia but also outside of Russia as well as coaches around the globe. It's stunningly beautiful when done properly

[@scotlandlove2000]

I have never been interested in ballets. I happened on this vlog, and you two made it so interesting and easy to appreciate! Really great cadence and communication without one dominating over the other.

[@balletreign]

Glad to have you here :) Thank you for appreciating ballet with us on this channel and for your kind feedback.

[@guy_a_h]

Seeing NYCB dancing Jewels last year was a revelation. Have seen the kirov dance it live but was like a new ballet with NYCB.

[@balletreign]

Ofc Balanchine home company is spot on with performing his ballets! 🤩🤩

[@ellenspear50]

I LOVE that you showed Edward Gorey's poster of the five positions!

[@vivianevans8323]

Thanks, Jordan and Eden! A Saturday not spent with you ladies is a sad day indeed ... That video was most informative, interesting - and entertaining! I'm of course biased, living in the UK, so I do believe that the 'mixer' approach we find in the Royal Ballet is best: selecting the best from each school and training their pupils in the Royal Ballet School seems to work. My secret love though is for the Russian ballet, the breathtaking Vaganova girls, spiced up with the strength and artistry of Nureyev, Baryshnikov, Tsiskaridze and the younger dancers such as the death-defying Ivan Vasiliev, all of whom are also great actors.

[@balletreign]

Awww thanks for spending the day with us! So happy you enjoyed the video. The RB dancers are beautiful indeed, and the Russian style always hits ✨ thanks for sharing your favorites! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@dahliamartinez714]

gosh cecchetti has been soo heavy in much of my teaching in my life that all of that seems so easy and normal.. i didn’t realize how difficult it was meant to be 😅

[@ivylonnen4]

Right? I was pretty shocked that it was considered “difficult.” It’s just what we did 😅

[@demureworm]

Thank you so much for recommending the Julie Cronshaw documentary -- I just watched it and really enjoyed it! I was not trained explicitly Ceccetti, but most of my teachers drew from his principles to teach proper technique and help avoid injury.

[@pascalcrt]

I need to inform you guys that I’ve been watching this video most nights since it came out as my bedtime story. Both because the repetitive familiarity is coziness, but also to hopefully get this all processed to memory 😄

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Danceandballetlessons]

Very nice video, but sadly you forgot to mention the Cuban Ballet School Method, wich is one of latest internationally recognized ballet schools among all the ones you mentioned. It was founded by Alicia Alonso, Fernando Alonso and Alberto Alonso. It is kind of also a blend of the previous schools but out training method is particular, created by Fernando Alonso. Cuba is very know for excelent and impresive male technique, dancers as Carlos Acosta, Jose Manuel Carreño, Osiel Gouneud and many others. Also females have a very strong technique. We are recognized by our natural and intense expresiveness, high passes, lots of pirouettes, amazing jump and battery work, In class teachers follow a programe divided in 8 years, 5 year for elemental level, and 3 for preprofessional level. You enter at 9 and graduate at 17. Teachers develop their own personal tipe of class following the principles of the Cuban Methodology. I recognize there is not a lot of information about us out there, due to our country political situation, nver the less Cuban dancers are all over the world, and we have our Cuban way to dance. You should do some research and make a video about the Cuban Ballet School. Very much needed.

[@GiannaK-ud6ub]

Nah cuz i dont know what im really trained in. i think probably closest to Balanchine but my ballet instructor just has her own style😭 the pain of doing ballet at a competitive studio😭 but my teacher is very advanced she danced at san francisco ballet for many years. Love her❤️ shes amazing

[@raphi486]

The ending 😂😂😂 you girls are brilliant

[@tiffcat1100]

I know, they are fab! ❤

[@Jay.eclipsed]

Ive been an RAD dancer for most of whole life. ive done all the levels to grade 8 and the vocationals up to adv 1 and im doing adv 2 this coming year. when you said "perfectionism" and keeps everyone in checks i really agreed. i tend to be the one to memorize the exercises and check the syllabus constantly. A big ballet nerd. im not going pro by any means but i really like the rad syllabus. grade 8 and advanced foundation were both really good. i will say it does get kind of boring half way through the year but luckily my friends and i compete as well which really helps

[@felicityengel8812]

I LOVE this!! Thank you for these explanations, as a dancer of 16+ years, I thoroughly enjoyed this🥰

[@CHURINL]

I've always been enamored with Balanchine (and I will add Jerome Robbins because the two of them are the NYCB), but Vaganova and the Russian style is my definition of classical ballet. No one does arms better, and the sheer elegance of the Vaganova dancer's lines is the most beautiful in all of classical ballet.

[@divab63]

Balanchine trained lol! We were told to hold a tennis ball 😂. Petite allegro was done forward and reversed then with beats added to everything! Did you know you can add a beat to a glissade?😂😂. Grand allegro, you better cover the whole floor no matter how big the space! Absolutely loved it. Suited my body (and I am 5’9”). We also occasionally did barre from plies to grand battlement without stopping. 20 minute barres we’re pretty normal.

[@icansmellyou9882]

How on earth do you add a beat to a glissade?

[@pejibayes]

omg who's out there giving the babies tennis balls, like you're probably 6 years old and the ball thing is only for the earliest training when you still have to touch your thumb and finger together... we got ping pong balls

[@samanthagismo1]

Im RAD trained but I love some of the Cecchetti excercises and how precise it is. That said, I love how dancey and flowey RAD can be. You can probably learn something special from each of the styles. Love the video eeeeeee ♥♥♥♥♥

[@balletreign]

Yes!! Each style has their unique flair and are so fun to dance in their own way ✨✨✨. Thanks for watching! Glad u enjoyed 😆😆

[@sonjaravengate]

This was very interesting, because I'm trained with the classical Vaganova style and can regonize things from checcetti (the not 180 turnout and everything arriving at the same time) and french (hands always infront of your body if you don't want to die because the expressivness is only for when the professionals. )

[@goodvibes5220]

I’ve learned sooo much from this video, a million thanks 🙏❤️❤️🙏🙏

[@melenatorr]

Such a nice companion piece to a book my sister and I are reading together: "Apollo's Angels", by Jennifer Homans! Thanks!

[@vickiduffett]

I felt lost reading "Apollo's Angels". Now after this video, I feel more prepared to begin reading it again.

[@beatrizgarcia9432]

So cool! I only did 5 years of ballett and I think Im english and russian trained, based on what sounded familiar, but I learned a lot!!😊

[@RetroMinnie87]

Checcetti trained here and I don’t know if I really knew about the other styles when I was dancing (before KZbin was a thing). This is so interesting and I love that you mentioned how 5th position of the feet is not over-crossed because I have seen some ballet dancers on KZbin say it should be crossed and I thought I had been doing it wrong all these years but no! I’ve just been doing it in the Checcetti style! I just found your channel and I am loving it!

[@rachelcampbell8541]

I liked the Dutch style of all you showed here!🎉

[@tiffcat1100]

Danish I think ;)

[@kalebbaker4665]

I love the friend group analogy!!

[@liiinnnn2]

I've trained in the RAD style since I was little and now I'm in Advanced 1. I absolutely love the Free Movement section back in Grade levels. It's really fun imo. The syllabus in the advance level is quite evil not gonna lie, especially the variations and the allegros (there's like 5 freaking allegros in Advanced 1) 😅. But I love the dances, it's really beautiful though the difficulty which made me wonder who made the syllabus 😂.

[@lesleyclaster6878]

You guys are so FUN to watch and hear. It’s like you have two voices perfectly blended into one yet with two personalities! How did you find this perfect partnership? Were you just friends that finished each other’s sentences? I don’t think a man and woman could do the same because, duh, men and women are different. But as young ladies, you just ebb and flow like bouncing waves.

[@tiffcat1100]

They are sisters ❤

[@BenBemis-n2m]

I’m not trained in balenchine but I’m going to PNB this summer for summer intensive very excited to learn

[@balletreign]

That’s wonderful!! Sounds like you have a very fun summer ahead of you! 😆😆

[@haruka.h560]

This is my first video of you. Just wanted to say you remind me of TwoSetViolin, wishing you all the success 💪🏻

[@balletreign]

Haha thank you sm, and welcome to the channel!! 🥳🥳 So happy to have you here ✨✨

[@tiffcat1100]

Yes! Good fun & good editing with great knowledge, talent, experience and practice (à la Ling Ling!) ❤

[@dahliamartinez714]

14:24 i love how i just did this a month ago for 3 weeks straight in class after my teacher had a baby, it was insane 🥲

[@Campanula.rapunculus]

You are both so knowledgeable, elegant and sweet ✨️✨️✨️ thanks for another great video!

[@low9025]

I'm learning Ballet as an adult in Korea and they're teaching us the vaganova method here 😆 lmao I'm dying

[@primalcritters]

Lucky you. The most beautiful style of ballet in the world. It's more difficult but so worth it when you strengthen yourself properly. Watch ballet with Isabella on KZbin..she's got Great tips and rrsined in Russia but is from England.

[@tiffcat1100]

@@primalcrittersYes she’s a superb teacher - watch her shorts for corrections ❤

[@chloe_ballet19]

As an RAD Adv 1 student you two literally couldn't have explained the method any better. There's always a sort of stigma around RAD being the method for 'recreational purposes only' and can't really get students into vocational schools which it really isn't (I've been RAD trained my whole life and I just got accepted into 2 of my dream voc schools)!! So thank you Jordan and Eden for explaining this wonderful method so perfectly 💗💗

[@LeylaOzden-fc1bi]

Very insightful video, thanks. I'm an avid ballet fan.

[@balletreign]

Thank you for watching! ✨✨

[@tamborgini]

I love the fun, energy and the education that you both give to the rest of us out there!!! I came to ballet late in life and I just completed acting in three ballets in the past year with The State Ballet of Rhode Island! I have so much to learn so I will be watching all of your videos eventually and thank you for all that you do to promote ballet!