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Ballet is not only a form of dance, it is an art. Ballet dance is definitely different from the other forms of dance. Ballet dancing is graceful, elegant and beautiful. The pronunciation of the word ballet is “ballay” and the “t” is silent. The word “ballet” means to dance. Ballet is highly technical and it even has its own vocabulary. Ballet is taught throughout the world in ballet schools.

As with many other dance forms, ballet is choreographed rather than danced free. These choreographed routines are known as ballets and encompass not only dancing skills but also acting, musicality and mime. Although some of the music may be vocal, most ballets are performed to classical music.

Renaissance Italy was where ballet dancing first began but it would be France who would take the original dance style and create an entire culture from it. King Louis XIV was instrumental in this, and the world’s first ballet school opened in France in 1661. It’s the French roots that are the reason for most of the ballet vocabulary that’s still used today being. Originally only men were ballet dancers but in 1681 women were also allowed to join in.

Ballet dancers were multi-performers. They didn’t just dance, but they would also recite poetry and sing songs that they may have wrote themselves. Modern ballet contains the dance steps that were created in those early years, and most of these steps still have their French names.

Modern ballet centralizes around 5 basic positions, and this too dates back to Seventeenth century France when a choreographer called Pierre Beauchamp created them. Mastering these basic positions is pivotal to developing the balance and posture required to become a good ballet dancer.

Ballet has become mainstream in countries like Russia, Denmark, France and the United States. Ballet is a worldwide phenomenon. Professional ballet schools are taught in every continent in the world. New York has become the mecca of ballet dancing and it is considered the best on the globe.

Female ballet dancers are known as “ballerinas”. Ballerinas perform dance movements that have to be executed with the use of their toes. This form of dancing is called “en pointe”. A ballerina has to be 12 years of age before she can begin dancing en pointe. Ballerinas wear pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are cushioned with lambs wool or a foam pad. These shoes look like slippers. Ribbons are tied around the ankles and feet, so the shoes can be usable. The shoes are stiff and they have to be cushioned with soft fabric so the dancers do not injure themselves while performing.

At one time a ballet costume was a dress that went down to the ankle. Today’s female ballet dancers wear tutus which give the illusion that the ballerina is floating across the stage.

Danseurs are male ballet dancers and they never dance ‘En Pointe’. As they are usually required to lift a ballerina during the ballets, danseurs have to have a great level of physical fitness.

If you’ve never seen a ballet, then try to get tickets to attend one of the top ballet companies when they perform near you. It’s an experience you’ll never forget. You’ll have to act fast though because those tickets tend to sell out fast!

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