Balanchine Dance

When I was four years old I was introduced to a tall, petite, beautiful ballerina who spun around the room with elegance, and effortlessly captured the crowd with her stunning abilities. As a little girl, I sparkled with admiration and was inspired to be all she was, it was from that point on, that I ventured into an unknown world of art, strength and expression. Now being eighteen years old with about fourteen years of experience in the dance world, I have learned and developed the norms, values and practices of the culture, and the conflicting theory within it.

The applauding audience, the lights, sequins and feathers, the colorful, elaborate tutus, and satin pointe shoes capture the hearts of young girls. Where else can a young girl dream of becoming a princess, a swan, a dancing snowflake or flower, or a sugarplum fairy? Where else can she be a fairy tale character like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty? Where else can she be rescued by her handsome prince and collapse into his arms? Ballet is the magical world where these dreams can come true. Young girls and women can be all of these things, symbolizing femininity in a culture that teaches young girls to be and want everything pink and pretty.

Ballet is one of the world's oldest and newest forms of dance. One man that created new audiences for ballet and mastered the dance to its fullest was none other than George Balanchine. He brought the standard ballet to levels no one has ever seen before. In the world of dance, there have been many wonderful and talented choreographers but Balanchine's work affected the dance world so much that he was a legend long before his death. Not only was he legendary worldwide but also his influenced American Ballet. George Balanchine's unique style of dance created the "American style" of Ballet.

Ballet’s origin came from the Italian Renaissance courts in the early 15th century. Ballets were performed during wedding celebrations and many other events. In addition to this, only the people of the noble class could attend these “lavish” events were ballets were staged (“A Brief”). Not only was dance important to these events, but also the music. In the 1700s, Opéra-ballet was created. This brand of ballet emphasized singing and dancing, united by a common theme depending on what the production is about (“Ballet”). Ballet became popular over the centuries, in fact, many choreographers across the globe traveled to settle in the United States to teach ballet, including Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova (Rollins). Likewise, Russian choreographer

Perhaps the very first image the general public would see in their mind’s eye, upon hearing the word “dancer”, is that of a darling little five year old girl in a pretty pink tutu and delicate ballet slippers stepping into her local dance studio for the first time. Take someone a little deeper into that thought, and they might see an overly thin, pale sixteen year old young woman, with collarbones and ribs showing working herself almost to death to earn a minor part in a dance chorus. Suggest that someone describe a dancer in the height of their career, and you might hear of a Prima Ballerina with the Moscow Ballet. Ask someone to visualize a dancer in later years, and they might picture an older woman with a greying bun atop her head, leading a class or perhaps helping younger dancer perfect a performance, who is likely ailing

At the end of the 19th century, ballet was the most prominent form of dance. However, to Isadora Duncan, "ballet was the old order that needed to be overthrown, an embodied symbol of all that was wrong with oversymbolized 19th century living" (Daly 26). Duncan believed that the over-technical, over-standardization of ballet was not what dance should be about. Her vision of dance was one of emotions, ideas, social betterment, and the complete involvement of the body, mind, and soul (26). With these ideas in mind, she began to create a new form of dance; what she referred to as the "new dance" (23), and what is now known as modern dance. In creating this new dance, she was inspired by composers such as

As world has changed over the last century or so, the ballet world has been changing with it. There are many people who have helped shape that change. The changes in style were mainly influenced by George Balanchine. George Balanchine, a Russian choreographer and ballet dancer, also known as the father of American ballet, was the man who was said to have changed the style of ballet forever. Along with these changes in style came changes in visual design elements, inspirational figures, and changes in what the ballets themselves tend to rely on. Many of the features given to ballet in Russia in the 15th and 16th century still remain to this day, but many features have been altered to fit . Let’s take a closer look at what features truly

The 20th century saw a shift in dance as new forms were created and artists began entertaining audiences in new ways. The rise of Jazz music and the swing era allowed a couple of tap dancers, commonly known as the Nicholas Brothers, to gain fame. The Nicholas Brothers questioned what dance could be by pushing the human body to the limits the likes of which had not been seen before. Other innovations in their dance such as their vernacular style, informal training, and unique musicality directly opposed many of the virtues of classical ballet. Through my own interpretations of their work as well as through the use of primary and secondary sources it is clear to see that the Nicholas Brothers opposed classical ballet through their style, musicality,

One stereotype used against African Americans and ballet is that African Americans were too docile for the demands of ballet techniques. There is evidence to refute this claim. A piece of evidence is shown

Mrs. Farrell’s book is quite technical when it comes to the lengthy descriptions of the dances she rehearses and performs; from a dancer’s view these varied conclusions of the types of movements she was dancing is quite astonishing. In fact, it adds a whole new level to the imagination that can come alive in a person’s thoughts when they read an expressive book. Although the technical explanations will excited, astound, and reveal how much passion and deep meaning ballet had in Suzanne Farrell’s life, but a reader, who may not be involved in the arts will be unfamiliar with the ballet and musical terms in

Do you know who the first African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre is? She defies physics when you watch her on stage with awe-inspiring routines. Misty Copeland is unlike any other ballerina in the world. While dancing at The American Ballet Theatre, she had the lead role in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and The Firebird (McCann, 185). She is the face of Dannon, Estée Lauder, and Under Armour. Misty was on the cover of Time magazine as one of The Top Most Influential People of 2015 (McCann, 187). She got her first formal dance training at the age of 13- most dancers begin at the age of three or four. However, despite the late start into the sport, many said she was a “natural” or a “prodigy” (Copeland-

Being a minority is not limited to just race. While it is evident that the classical ballet world is dominated by those of fair skin; we believe that a minority in dance is anyone who feels underrepresented in the dance world. In addition to race this includes, gender, faith, and style. La A.M.I.D is a place to connect with others who too may feel overlooked and provide them the opportunity to inform others of what is important to them as a dancer. I have seen firsthand how the lack of opportunity and professionalism in dance can affect a dancer’s success.

When I entered my first ballet class, at the age of three, I doubt my mother had thought that I would become as passionate about it, as I did. Now, fourteen years later, that passion has not dwindled. I have spent countless hours in and outside of the dance studio training with some of the most acclaimed professional ballet dancers, in an attempt to further develop a skill that can never be perfected. I have performed and competed, on International stages, in countries like Italy, Panama and the United States and have earned multiple scholarships to attend world renowned dance schools such as Alvin Ailey, the Ecole Supérieure de Danse de Cannes and the Berlin State Ballet. At the age of eleven, I started competing at the Youth America

Online at The George Balanchine Foundation they have written a biography on George Balanchine. In this biography they have a quote of George Balanchine, “We must first realize that dancing is an absolutely independent art, not merely a secondary accompanying one. I believe that it is one of the great arts… The important thing in ballet is the movement itself. A ballet may contain a story, but the visual spectacle… is the essential element.

French Ballet began in the 17th century. It was a flamboyant entertainment presented in front of the aristocracy and royalty in the courts. French Ballet was also performed when they were celebrating marriages and showing off the wealth and power of the ruler. Besides, Ballet was called “la belle danse”, and it means “the beautiful dance.” In order to help the audience to recognize the characters in the story, dancers usually wore extravagant costumes. Moreover, the idea of different ballet movements was based on the social dance of royal courts, like beautiful arm and upper body movements and floor patterns were included. Also, in the beginning, only men were allowed to dance ballet, and women played the first ballet with parts until 1681.