Last Updated on August 19, 2022
Are you a ballet dancer? Do you want to know more about ballet dance or do you want to know the best ballet schools to attend; this article has everything you are looking for.
Ballet is one of the oldest dance styles in the world and requires a lot of training and talent to excel in it. This dance was introduced by the Italian Renaissance courts in the fifteenth century but it was until Catherine de Medici who was married to King Henry II of France became a huge fan did it get the much-needed recognition. Catherine de Medici who was a wealthy Italian woman sponsored the ballet in the French court and its popularity grew to what we can see today.
Table of Contents
Best Ballet Schools
Here’s a look at the best ballet schools in the world:
1. The Juilliard School of Dance – New York
Julliard School of Dance is one of the best schools to study ballet. This prestigious dance school has been in existence since 1951 and has maintained its spot on the world’s best dance school.
Visit website: http://www.juilliard.edu
2. National Ballet of Canada’s School (NBS) – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
National Ballet of Canada’s School was established in North America in 1956. It is one of the leading dance schools in the world and one of the best schools to study ballet.
National Ballet of Canada’s School was founded by Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant. Graduates from this school end up moving to the National Ballet of Canada.
Their training program is considered the best in Canada.
Visit Website: http://www.nbs-enb.ca/Home
3. San Francisco Ballet School – San Francisco, California
San Francisco Ballet School is one of the best ballet schools in the United States of America and the world. This reputable dance school was founded in 1933 and is the oldest dance school in the United States of America.
San Francisco Ballet School is the reason San Francisco is considered the ballet hub of the West Coast. Thus school has and is still training the best ballet dancers in the world.
Visit Website: https://school.sfballet.org
4. The Australian Ballet School – Southbank, Victoria, Australia
The Australian Ballet School was established by Dame Margaret Scott in 1964. This school was created to be part of the Australian Ballet Centre which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
It is considered one of the best ballet schools in Australia and the world. If you are in Australia check out this school.
Visit Website: http://www.australianballetschool.com.au
5. La Escuela National de Danza – Havana, Cuba
La Escuela National de Danza is one of the best ballet schools in the world. This dance school was established with Alicia Alonso as the founding director in 1998.
This Cuba-based dancing school has teachers who are part of the National Ballet of Cuba. Latin American culture is part of this ballet school.
6. The John Cranko School – Stuttgart, Germany
The John Cranko School is a dance school located in Germany. This dance school was established by John Cranko in 1971.
This school is one of the best schools to study ballet. Award-winning ballet dancers go to the school to improve their skills.
John Cranko, the founder of this dance school settled in Stuttgart intending to start a ballet school with the dream of creating a place where that talented youth could study with the Ballet company of the state theatre.
Visit website: http://en.john-cranko-schule.de
7. The School of American Ballet – New York City.
The School of American Ballet is a prestigious dance school located in New York, United States of America. This school was established by George Balanchine in 1934.
The School of American Ballet is one of the best ballet schools in the world.
Visit Website: https://sab.org
8. Royal Ballet School – London, England
Royal Ballet School was established by Dame Ninette de Valois in 1926. Since its inception, this school is considered one of the best schools to receive ballet training.
Visit Website: https://www.royalballetschool.org.uk
9. The Paris Opera Ballet School – Paris, France
The Paris Opera Ballet School was established by Louis XIV in the 1700s. This prestigious ballet school has spent 3 centuries teaching the best ballet dancers in the world.
Visit Website: https://www.operadeparis.fr/en/artists/ballet-school
10. The Vaganova School – St. Petersburg, Russia
The Vaganova School is one of the best ballet schools in the world. It was established in 1738 as the imperial theatrical school. A French master of a ballet called Jean-Baptiste was the first director of this institution.
Twelve girls and boys started this school and it was formed to create a dance company in Russia. After it was disbanded by a government order in 1924. Leningrad State Choreographic School, which was established in 1920 was renamed to Vaganova School for Agrippina in 1957.
This school was named after Vaganova Agrippina who had a huge impact on contemporary Russian ballet. The Vaganova School of Agrippina is known for producing the world’s best ballet dancers.
Visit Website: http://vaganovaacademy.com
Benefits of Ballet
- Ballet helps boost your confidence.
- Ballet dancers can easily get into sports.
- It makes you flexible.
- Ballet stimulates creativity.
- It releases hormones that keep you happy and in a good mood.
- Ballet improves your posture and saves you from the dangers of bad postures.
What is the best age to start Ballet?
The ideal age to start learning ballet is 4 or 5 years. At this age, the student can understand instructions and follow them. 7 to 9 years is also a good age to start ballet. The earlier the better.
How long does it take to learn Ballet?
Learning ballet is a gradual process but if you want to make it to the professional scene, you need 9 years of training.