Product Description

"The Ballet Companion" is the first complete, illustrated reference book for the dancer. With more than 150 stunning photographs of ballet greats Maria Riccetto and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, "The Ballet Companion" brims with everything today's dance student needs including: practical advice for getting started, such as finding the right teacher, fitting a pointe shoe, tying a ballet bun; training safely through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross training with yoga and Pilates; inside information on backstage and studio etiquette and auditioning; technique secrets from stars of American Ballet Theatre; and glossaries and lavishly illustrated sidebars on ballet history and 'Must See' ballets. Whether a budding ballerina, serious student, or adult returning to ballet, dancers will find a graceful mix of ballet traditions and essential, new information.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11584 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Customer Reviews

Excellent
This book has everything you need to know about ballet, It covers history, essential ballets, class etiquette, terminology with pictures, stretches and a healthy eating section which also helps identify eating diorders and how to avoid them. This book places emphasis on finding the right teacher, having a beautiful and healthy ballet body and learning steps correctly with visualisations of how each step should feel to the dancer. This book is good for both young and old as it has a section for the adult beginner and also those children who come 'late' to ballet with good tips on pointe shoes, how they fit, how to sew ribbons and elastics etc. It also has a section on how to have the perfect ballet bun which is always helpful:)
This book literally covers everything and would be a perfect gift for anyone beginning ballet as it really is a companion that like an experienced ballet teacher can impart knowledge whenever it is requested

Interesting and a great guide for beginners
I bought this book as a present for someone who is learning ballet and I've received very positive comments about this book. I have to say that this book gives you a rough guide from A to Z of ballet for beginners, like how to select a good ballet shoes, a brief history of ballet, and various techniques from different school (RAD, Russian, etc...) My present was much appreciated for the detail it gives and I would recommend it for anyone who wants a companion for ballet.

A true dancer's companion
I read this book originaly as a refresher for barre. I'm a begining belly dancer that wanted to go back to my ballet roots to improve my current genre. I found my barre, but also found one of the best overview book on ballet for the dancer. For those getting started, this book explains quite well what your getting into if you want to be a serious dancer. I would recommend this book as essential reading for any beginner dancer. This book does a wonderful job of connecting ballet history with ballet technique. Part four, the healthy dancer, takes a look at the physical side of being a dancer.This is the only book I've found that honestly looks at ballet injuries and their prevention. This chapter alone would make this book valuable to an experienced dancer.