Balanchine method
Encyclopedia
The Balanchine Method is a ballet technique and training system devised by the Russian dancer and choreographer George Balanchine
and initially used at the New York City Ballet
. It requires extreme speed, very deep plie, unconventional arms and hands, and emphasis on lines, especially in decale. En-dehors pirouettes are often taken from a 4th position (legs) with straightened back leg and extended front arm (i.e., a lunge, as opposed to a plie). Also notable is the distinctive arabesque, with the dancer's hip opened towards the audience while the side arm is pressed back, using a spiral to create the illusion of a longer, higher arabesque line. The overall illusion of the Balanchine Method is that dancers are utilizing more space in less time: speed, height, length and a syncopated musicality are created.
The Balanchine Method is taught at School of American Ballet
, the school of the New York City Ballet, and at many schools of Balanchine's disciples, such as Miami City Ballet
(Ed Villella), Ballet Chicago Studio Company (Daniel Duell), and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet
in Washington D.C.
Balanchine Method dancers must be extremely fit
and flexible
. Injuries can be common for those inexperienced with this technique.
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
and initially used at the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
. It requires extreme speed, very deep plie, unconventional arms and hands, and emphasis on lines, especially in decale. En-dehors pirouettes are often taken from a 4th position (legs) with straightened back leg and extended front arm (i.e., a lunge, as opposed to a plie). Also notable is the distinctive arabesque, with the dancer's hip opened towards the audience while the side arm is pressed back, using a spiral to create the illusion of a longer, higher arabesque line. The overall illusion of the Balanchine Method is that dancers are utilizing more space in less time: speed, height, length and a syncopated musicality are created.
The Balanchine Method is taught at School of American Ballet
School of American Ballet
The School of American Ballet is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the New York City Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The school trains students from the...
, the school of the New York City Ballet, and at many schools of Balanchine's disciples, such as Miami City Ballet
Miami City Ballet
Miami City Ballet is an American ballet company based in Miami Beach, Florida. It was created in 1986 by former New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella and flourishes today as one of America's most respected ballet companies...
(Ed Villella), Ballet Chicago Studio Company (Daniel Duell), and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet
Suzanne Farrell Ballet
The Suzanne Farrell Ballet is a ballet company housed at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., and founded in 2000 by Suzanne Farrell, one of George Balanchine's most celebrated ballerinas, and a former New York City Ballet principal dancer. Today, the ballet is a full-fledged company produced by...
in Washington D.C.
Balanchine Method dancers must be extremely fit
Physical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
and flexible
Flexibility (anatomy)
Flexibility or limberness refers to the absolute range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints. Flexibility is variable between individuals, particularly in terms of differences in muscle length of multi-joint muscles...
. Injuries can be common for those inexperienced with this technique.