In the 15th century, the Italian Renaissance courts introduced ballet to the world. Catherine de Medici, a wealthy Italian woman who was married to King Henry II, was a great fan of this form of art many years later. She founded the ballet at the French court. It gained popularity and is now one of the most sophisticated art forms in the world.
Today, there are various ballet schools all over the world, that teach students the art of ballet. However, only a few have been able to stand out hence earning them the status of the best ballet schools in the world. The Vaganova School in Russia is the best ballet school in the world.
The Top 10 Best Ballet Schools in the World
1. The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet-St. Petersburg, Russia
The history of this Russian ballet school goes back to 1738 when it was established as the Imperial Theatrical Schools. Jean-Baptiste was the first director and he was a French master of the ballet dance. Twelve boys and twelve girls were enrolled in their first year. This school also started with the intent to create a professional Russian dance company.
Mikhail Fokine and Jules Perrot were among the many famous dancers who either studied there or became teachers. After Lenin died in 1924, the Imperial Ballet School was disbanded by the new government. They also disbanded Imperial Russian Ballet and Soviet Ballet was established as a new company.
In 1957, the school was renamed The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in honor of Agrippina Vaganova, who played a significant role in the development of the contemporary Russian Ballet. This school is known for producing outstanding ballet dancers over the years and it is the best ballet school in the world.
2. The Paris Opera Ballet School – Paris, France
Louis XIV established the ballet institution in 1713. Children were initially not allowed to attend ballet school. However, seven years later, they created the first rules that allowed children to learn ballet. Louis XVI expanded the school’s repertoire and allowed children to enroll at the school four years later. He believed that children learning earlier is better.
The school was in serious trouble during the Romantic period. It survived thanks to generous donations. For more than three centuries, this ballet school has educated the best ballet dancers around the globe. It is still ranked in the top three spots for the best ballet education in the globe and, the school won’t be slowing down any time soon.
3. Royal Ballet School, London, England
This ballet-training program was founded by Dame Ninette De Valois in 1926, as the Academy of Choreographic Art. She was inspired, like the others, to create a ballet school and company to train ballet dancers. Lilian Baylis, her partner, obtained the Sadler’s Wells Theatre. In 1931, the school moved into the theater and was named The Vic-Wells Ballet School.
This school would provide dancers for the Vic-Wells Ballet Company. Both were renamed Sadler’s Wells Ballet School & Company in 1939. In 1946, the ballet was moved to the Royal Opera House. The Royal Ballet School, London, has been regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world since its inception.
4. The School of American Ballet, New York City, United States
This famous ballet school was founded by George Balanchine in 1934. Balanchine brought the same dedication to perfection that he learned at the Imperial Ballet School. Balanchine knew that a successful ballet academy must be closely linked to a prestigious company.
However, felt that it was time for the United States to have a leading ballet company and that is what birthed the School of American Ballet in New York City. The School’s initial purpose was to train ballet dancers for the company.
5. The John Cranko School, Stuttgart, Germany
John Cranko, a pioneer in ballet education, settled in Stuttgart in 1961. Cranko dreamed of a place for gifted young people to study at the State Theatre in Stuttgart. The John Cranko school was opened in 1971 to receive its first students.
This German ballet school is regarded as one of the most prestigious places in the world to learn ballet. Here, dancers can win big to improve their skills. After their training is completed, they can move on to the Company of the State Theatre and other prestigious ballet companies. The School is renowned as one of the best ballet schools in the world.
6. La Escuela National de Danza – Havana, Cuba
This ballet academy is one of the newest ballet schools. It was established in 1998 under the direction of Alicia Alonso. Their instructors today are professors and members of the National Ballet of Cuba.
Their goal is to help their students improve their classical technique and other styles, and integrate them with Cuban dance passion. This particular institution focuses on ballet and places a lot of emphasis on Latin American culture.
7. The Australian Ballet School, Victoria, Australia
This ballet school was founded by Dame Margaret Scott in 1964. It is part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct. Australians who want to learn to dance ballet with the Australian Ballet Company will take this first step. In 2014, the school celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The school’s goal is to be at the forefront of international dance training programs and provide unique, professional instruction. Their website states that they are not only focused on excellence in ballet and dancing but also hold their students to a high standard of morality. The Australian Ballet School is regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world.
8. San Francisco Ballet School, San Francisco, California, United States
The oldest American ballet school, the San Francisco Ballet School was founded in 1933 along with the San Francisco Operatic and Ballet School. Adolph Bolm, the founding director, opened the doors for education in tap, modern, and interpretive ballet. Classes were originally held at the William Taylor Hotel, but classes have also been held in Berkeley, Burlingame, and Oakland.
Since its inception, San Francisco has been the ballet capital of the West Coast. The San Francisco Ballet School has been training some of the best ballet dancers around the globe for many years. Their summer intensive program has been attended by many famous ballet dancers.
9. Canada National Ballet School – Toronto, Canada
Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant founded the ballet school in the northernmost part of North America in 1959. It is now one of the most prestigious schools in the world for ballet teaching and dancing. They are the only North American ballet school to offer an internationally acclaimed training program.
Canada National Ballet school is Canada’s finest ballet school. The School produces graduates who almost always go on to dance in international ballet companies. They also often move on to the National Ballet of Canada. It is one of the best ballet schools in the world.
10. The Juilliard School of Dance, New York
Juilliard was founded in 1905 as a home for some of the best youth dancers around the globe. Since then, it has been synonymous with artistic excellence and excellence in musical achievement. Dr. Frank Damrosch founded the Institute of Musical Art to provide American musicians with advanced education in a country that is not governed by borders. The response was overwhelming and enrollments in the first year exceeded expectations by five times.
The school was unable to accommodate all the students and expanded in 1910 to Columbia University. Augustus Juilliard, who had left his textile fortune to the school in 1924, died thus, the Juilliard Graduate School was established in 1924. The first dance division of the school was established in 1951. Juilliard has been a top-rated musical institution since then and it is also one of the best ballet schools in the world.
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