Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Bandgt;A New Classic for Today's Dancerandlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;Iandgt;The Ballet Companionandlt;/Iandgt; is a fresh, comprehensive, and thoroughly up-to-date reference book for the dancer. With 150 stunning photographs of ballet stars Maria Riccetto and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, this elegant volume brims with everything today's dance student needs, including: andlt;BRandgt; andlt;UL TYPE=DISCandgt; andlt;LIandgt;Practical advice for getting started, such as selecting a school, making the most of class, and studio etiquette andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;Explanations of ballet fundamentals and major training systems andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;An illustrated guide through ballet class -- warm-up, barre, and center floor andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;Guidelines for safe, healthy dancing through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross-training with yoga and Pilates andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;Descriptions of must-see ballets and glossaries of dance, music, and theater terms andlt;/ULandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Along the way you'll find technique secrets from stars of American Ballet Theatre, lavishly illustrated sidebars on ballet history, and tips on everything from styling a ballet bun to stage makeup to performing the perfect pirouette. andlt;BRandgt; Whether a budding ballerina, serious student, or adult returning to ballet, dancers will find a lively mix of ballet's time-honored traditions and essential new information.
Review
"A smorgasboerd of information about the world of ballet!" andlt;BRandgt; -- Alexandra Ansanellli, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
Review
"This comprehensive guide to the world of ballet is a must-have for all dance enthusiasts." andlt;BRandgt; -- Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre
Review
"This offers a wealth of information as well as being extremely interesting." andlt;BRandgt; -- Mignon Furman, director, American Academy of Ballet
Review
"Unique and comprehensive, this is a wonderful companion and guide for anybody who loves dance." andlt;BRandgt; -- Edward Villella, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet and founding artistic director, Miami City Ballet
Review
"Eliza Gaynor Minden captures our imagination, taking us into the magical world of ballet." andlt;BRandgt; -- David Howard, internationally acclaimed master teacher and coach
Review
"Everyone interested in ballet should read this book. It is a treasure trove for ballet enthusiasts."
-- Kirk Peterson, ballet master/choreographer, American Ballet Theatre
Review
"A superb reference book -- all the information today's students need but can't get just by taking class. Every dancer's library should have it." andlt;BRandgt; -- Angel Corella, principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre
Review
"This offers a wealth of information as well as being extremely interesting."
-- Mignon Furman, director, American Academy of Ballet
Review
"Everyone interested in ballet should read this book. It is a treasure trove for ballet enthusiasts."
-- Kirk Peterson, ballet master/choreographer, American Ballet Theatre
Review
"This is the very book I would have loved to have discovered when I first started to study ballet." andlt;BRandgt; -- Allegra Kent, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet and author of andlt;Iandgt;Once a Dancerandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"The Ballet Companion is exactly that, a companion for dancers wishing to expand their knowledge of the art form and its ever changing yet lasting community. Finally, a book that reveals its rich history and strong tradition and how incredibly fortunate we are to belong to it."
-- Lourdes Lopez, former Principal Dancer New York City Ballet
Review
"This book is a broad canvas of the history, elements, and components of dance. It is must reading for those who love dance and wish to explore its functions and derivation." andlt;BRandgt; -- Melissa Hayden, former principal dancer New York City Ballet, faculty, North Carolina School of the Arts
Review
"Everyone involved with or interested in ballet should read this book. Comprehensively researched and packed with valuable information, andlt;Iandgt;The Ballet Companionandlt;/Iandgt; is a treasure-trove for ballet enthusiasts." andlt;BRandgt; -- Kirk Peterson, Ballet Master/Choreographer, American Ballet Theatre
Synopsis
A New Classic for Today's Dancer The Ballet Companion is a fresh, comprehensive, and thoroughly up-to-date reference book for the dancer. With 150 stunning photographs of ballet stars Maria Riccetto and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, this elegant volume brims with everything today's dance student needs, including:
- Practical advice for getting started, such as selecting a school, making the most of class, and studio etiquette
- Explanations of ballet fundamentals and major training systems
- An illustrated guide through ballet class -- warm-up, barre, and center floor
- Guidelines for safe, healthy dancing through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross-training with yoga and Pilates
- Descriptions of must-see ballets and glossaries of dance, music, and theater terms
Along the way you'll find technique secrets from stars of American Ballet Theatre, lavishly illustrated sidebars on ballet history, and tips on everything from styling a ballet bun to stage makeup to performing the perfect pirouette.
Whether a budding ballerina, serious student, or adult returning to ballet, dancers will find a lively mix of ballet's time-honored traditions and essential new information.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: To Be a Dancer
Getting Started
Selecting a Ballet School
Choosing Your Level of Commitment
Ballet Moms and Dads: Sine Qua Non
What to Expect of Class
What Class Expects of You
Getting the Most Out of Class
When to Begin Pointework
All That Jazz, Modern, and More
Ballet at Any Age
Getting Serious
Backstage and Onstage
Summer Intensives
Auditions
Advanced Classes: Partnering and Variations
Men's Training
Competitions
The Curious Dancer: Studio Attire, Ribbons and Elastics, The Ballet Bun, Stage Makeup, Ballet's Courtly Origins
Tour de Force: Catherine de Medici and Le Ballet Comique de la Reine, Rebels, Rivals, and the "Shakespeare of Ballet", Louis XIV and the French Tradition, Romanticism, Extraordinary Partnership: Fonteyn and Nureyev
Part Two: Ballet Basics
Major Schools of Ballet
The French School
Bournonville (Denmark)
Cecchetti (Italy)
Royal Academy of Dance (England)
Vaganova (Soviet Russia)
Balanchine
Fundamentals of Technique
Alignment
Lift
Turnout
Positions and Orientations
Positions of the Feet
Positions of the Arms
Sur le Cou-de-Pied
Passè or Retirè
Arabesques
Attitude
Orientations of the Body
The Curious Dancer: Dance Notation, Through the Ranks
Tour de Force: Tutu Much: Ballet Costumes, Bournonville and the Danish Tradition, Ballet Blanc: The Corps de Ballet's Triumph, Pas de Quatre (not Pas de Cinq), Livry's Shroud
Part Three: Ballet Class
Before Class
Warm Up
Stretch
At the Barre
Pliè
Relevè
Cambrè
Battement Tendu
Rond de Jambe par Terre
Fondu
Battement Frappè
Dèveloppè
Grand Rond de Jambe
Petit Battement sur le Cou-de-Pied
Rond de Jambe en l'Air
Barre Stretches
Grand Battement
Center Floor
Adagio/Adage
Allegro: Petit and Grand
Turns
Rèvèrence
Musicality
All About Pointe
The Rise of the Ballerina
How a Pointe Shoe Works
How to Select and Fit Pointe Shoes
Pointe Training and Technique
The Curious Dancer: Pirouette Tips from the Pros, Anatomy of a Pointe Shoe, Foot Types
Tour de Force: Pioneers of Pointe: Taglioni and Legnani, Petipa and the Tsars' Ballet, Pavlova, Modern Dance, Nijinsky, "Astonish Me." Diaghilev, Fokine, and the Ballets Russes
Part Four: The Healthy Dancer
Respect Your Body; Dance Forever
Eating Well to Dance Well
Body Esteem: Dealing with the Mirror
Eating Disorders
Puberty and Dancing
Anatomy Illustrated
Injury Prevention
Avoiding Burnout
Ballet Injury "Hot Spots"
Muscles -- Pulls and Tears
Anatomical Terms
Daily Care For Dancing Feet
If You Are Injured
Cross Training
Pilates
Yoga
Resistance Training
Floor-Barre
Gyrotonic
Swimming
The Curious Dancer: Ballet's Folk Dance Tradition, Ballet on Broadway, Mime
Tour de Force: A Tale of Two Cities: The Kirov and the Bolshoi, Balanchine, Kirstein, and New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ashton, de Valois, and the Royal Ballet, The Dance Boom of the '60s and '70s
Part Five: Ballet Literacy
Must-See Ballet
The Curious Dancer: Must-See Ballet at a Glance
Historical Time Line
Glossaries
Ballet Terms, Music Terms, Theater Terms, Social Dances, Dancer Slang
Further Reading
Resources
Videos, Organizations, Magazines and Publications
Index