JEANNE TEACHES DANCE

Good Overall Reading Gail Grant's  Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet Understanding the names of ballet steps is often a huge benefit to understanding the intention behind the movement (or lack of movement).  Simple definitions that most ages will appreciate. George Balanchine's  101 Stories of the Great Ballets Written by the creator of The New York City Ballet himself, Balanchine has expertly narrated the plots of Ballet's past and present.  A great companion to use in choosing a ballet to go see, or to use in preparation to see a classical story ballet. For Kids (Young and Old) Violette Verdy's  Of Swans, Sugarplums and Satin Slippers Written by Balanchine Ballerina Violette Verdy, this book very nicely tells the stories of some of the major ballets;  Swan Lake ,  Giselle ,  The Firebird ,  Coppelia ,  The Sleeping Beauty , and  The Nutcracker .  The storybook format is perfect for ...

Being featured as a Soloist or Principal Dancer is a great honor and privilege and the experience carries with it a mark of accomplishment both technically and artistically.  On the other end of the artistic spectrum of a ballet company, however, is the army of dancers which make up the Corps de Ballet --the backbone of a ballet.  While often overlooked, The Corps possesses the ability to make or break a ballet.  When their work is done right, you know it instantly--suddenly thirty ballerinas are moving, breathing, acting as one--and it is truly an experience to behold.  The magic isn't only felt by the audience, who has the advantage of seeing the patterns from above, as illustrated wonderfully in this excerpt from The Paris Opera Ballet's Swan Lake, the transcendent rush you experience by fusing your dance with fellow human beings is unlike much else in this world.  You have a responsibility--to them, to the audience, to yourself.  As a student, I re...