Want to Dance 101

Issue 1: Classical Ballet

It was in the court of King Louis the 14th that aristocratic baroque dancing evolved from an important social pastime to a professional art form performed by skilled dancers (of which Louis himself was an avid participant) for an audience. This dance aesthetic eventually developed into what we know of as classical ballet today. It is no surprise then, that classical ballet is still intimidating to many prospective dance students and unfortunately, also to prospective audience members. Fortunately, in recent years many adult students have begun to discover the enjoyment of classical ballet at a variety of skill levels. Give it a shot, it’s well worth a try.

A ballet class often incorporates a classical barre in order to systematically warm up, strengthen and condition the body for more complicated exercises. These will be done off the barre, in the centre of the studio while traveling and during elevation (jumping) work. Internationally recognized exercises such as Plié, Battement Tendu, Adagio and variations thereof, make up a large part of the barre repertoire. I would recommend an introductory ballet class for anyone interested in learning the ABC’s of western theatrical dance. A ballet class is the perfect place to gain insight into correct posture, biomechanics and the “how to’s” for lots of other dance styles. Many dancers also enjoy the classical ballet aesthetic (as do audience members). This aesthetic often incorporates, but is not limited to, flowing lyrical movement, elegant use of hands and arms, long lines, sharp turns and athletic jumping. My favourite part of the ballet class is the use of classical musical accompaniment. Nothing inspires me to dance my best more than the gorgeous sounds of live piano music.

In recent years an exciting fusion between contemporary dance styles and classical ballet technique has led to innovative choreography for the next generation of dancers to explore.