Every year around October or November, ballet companies and schools around the world celebrate the beautiful art of ballet on World Ballet Day. Several of the world’s leading companies live-stream their classes, performance preparation, and other behind-the-scenes views. The goal is to expose viewers of all ages and nationalities to the world of ballet and…
Pointe shoes: to the audience, they’re those beautiful satin shoes that allow dancers to balance, jump, and turn right on the tips of their toes. To the seasoned dancers, they’re instruments of equal parts beauty and pain. To the youngest dancers, they’re a mysterious rite of passage that ballet dancers receive when they’re strong enough…
We at Studio R Ballet are incredibly proud of our graduating students. Through the years, we’ve felt so privileged to help shape them into the beautifully talented dancers they are today. To honor our graduating seniors, we’ve interviewed each of them to find out more about their backgrounds, interests, and hopes for the future. Emrie…
There’s no better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than going to see a romantic ballet. Watching a love story play out through dance on the stage is an experience like no other. This list comprises three romantic ballets to see this Valentine’s Day—or any time you want to go see an iconic, dazzling ballet performance.…
The Nutcracker is one of the most well-known ballets in the world. It’s performed every holiday season by professional companies and schools everywhere. For many people, The Nutcracker provided their first exposure to the arts. This beloved ballet is a fan favorite for audiences of all ages. The Story of The Nutcracker The basis for…
Ballet has a long, rich history that stretches through centuries and across several different countries. Just as the contemporary ballet works we see today are very different from classical ballet pieces, the whole of ballet today is a far cry from what it looked like in the beginning. Phase One: Origins of Ballet Ballet first…
Brain health isn’t something that’s often discussed, but new studies being conducted are bringing the topic into the spotlight, so to speak. Ballet is well known for its physical benefits, but not many people—including many dancers themselves—are aware of the mental effects it has on the brain. Some effects start to happen after only a…
George Balanchine is one of the most iconic names in ballet. He was at once a dancer, a choreographer, an originator of many ballets, a co-founder of the School of American Ballet and the New York City Ballet, the developer of the Balanchine method, and the father of American ballet. He originated the genre of…
For educators and students, summer means a chance for a break, a time to relax and go on vacation. For ballet dancers, summer may be the time to travel, but not to get away from everyday life and jobs. Instead, both amateur and professional dancers join a summer intensive program, where they often train harder…
Of all the different methods and techniques in the ballet world, the method created by George Balanchine is perhaps the most recognizable. With its open arabesque, deep pliés, and often unique port de bras, the Balanchine method is unmistakable. A Balanchine performance’s swaying hips and minimalist costuming speaks to a more modern, neoclassical style of…