Ballet master Facts for Kids

Edgar Degas' painting of the ballet master Jules Perrot leading a rehearsal in Paris, 1875

A ballet master is a very important person in a ballet company. They make sure the dancers are skilled and perform their best. Today, ballet masters often teach daily classes. They also help dancers practice for both new and old ballets. Sometimes, the main leader of a ballet company, called the artistic director, is also known as a ballet master. The term "ballet master" is now used for both men and women in this role.

What is a Ballet Master?
- Daily Duties
- The Artistic Director
History of the Ballet Master Role
- Early Responsibilities
- Changes Over Time
Famous Ballet Masters in History
Gallery of Ballet Masters
See also

What is a Ballet Master?

A ballet master is like a head coach for ballet dancers. They work for a ballet company. Their main job is to help dancers become very good at ballet. They also help them stay in top shape.

Daily Duties

Ballet masters usually teach the daily ballet class. This class helps dancers warm up and practice their skills. They also rehearse the dancers for performances. This means they help dancers learn and remember their parts in different ballets. They work on both new shows and older, well-known ones.

The Artistic Director

Sometimes, the person in charge of all the artistic decisions for a ballet company is also called a ballet master. This person is usually known as the artistic director. They guide the overall style and vision of the company.

History of the Ballet Master Role

For many years, the ballet master was the most important person in a ballet company. From the 1700s to the early 1900s, the "first ballet master" was the leader. This person was called the premier maître de ballet en chef.

Early Responsibilities

The first ballet master did many things. They created new ballets and dances for operas. They also chose the music for these shows. They were in charge of teaching the dancers. They made sure everyone danced in the right style. This person was the artistic leader of the whole group of dancers.

Changes Over Time

After the early 1900s, the role changed. The main leader of a company became known as the artistic director. The title "ballet master" then started to mean the master teachers or assistant directors. These people help the artistic director.

Famous Ballet Masters in History

Many talented people have held the title of ballet master. They helped shape ballet into what it is today. Here are some of the most famous ones:

Pierre Beauchamp (1631–1705): He was the first ballet master in Paris from 1673 to 1687. He helped create comédie-ballet. He also set up the five positions of the feet in ballet.
Jean-Baptiste Landé (died 1748): He was a ballet master in Russia from 1733 to 1747. He is known as the founder of the Russian Mariinsky Ballet.
Jean-Georges Noverre (1727–1810): He worked in Stuttgart and Vienna. He wrote important books about dance. He is seen as the creator of ballet d'action. This style told a story through dance.
Jean Dauberval (1742–1806): He was a ballet master in Paris. He is known as the father of comedic ballet.
Pierre-Gabriel Gardel (1758–1840): He was a ballet master in Paris for a long time. He continued the ballet d'action style.
Salvatore Viganò (1769–1821): He was a ballet master in Vienna and Milan. He created a new type of performance called coreodramma.
Filippo Taglioni (1777–1871): He was a ballet master in Stockholm. He is known as the father of Romantic ballet. He also trained his famous daughter, Marie Taglioni.
Carlo Blasis (1797–1878): He was a ballet master in Milan. In 1820, he wrote the first full book about ballet techniques.
August Bournonville (1805–1879): He was the ballet master of the Royal Danish Ballet. He created many ballets for Denmark.
Jules Perrot (1810–1892): He was a first ballet master in London and St. Petersburg.
Marius Petipa (1818–1910): He was a ballet master in St. Petersburg. He is called "The Father of Classical Ballet." He created many famous ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Enrico Cecchetti (1850–1928): He was a ballet master for the Ballets Russes in 1910.
Agrippina Vaganova (1879–1951): She was a ballet master for the Kirov Ballet. She created the Vaganova method, a famous way to teach ballet.
Michel Fokine (1880–1942): He was a ballet master for the Mariinsky Ballet and the Ballets Russes.
George Balanchine (1904–1983): He was a ballet master for the Royal Danish Ballet. He later became the director of the New York City Ballet.
Frederick Ashton (1904–1988): He was a ballet master and director of England's Royal Ballet.
Serge Lifar (1905–1986): He was a ballet master for the Paris Opera Ballet. He helped create the neoclassical style.
Alexander Ivanovich Pushkin (1907–1970): He was a ballet master who taught famous dancers like Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev.
Rudolph Nureyev (1938–1993): He was a famous dancer who later became the ballet master and director of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Igor Moiseyev (1906-2007): He was a ballet master for the Bolshoi Ballet. He is known for his work in character dance.