The Ballet Companion: Ballet Companion

Detailed book that is packed with lots of useful information and photos. It includes terminology used in different countries / different ballet traditions.

Wow! What a book! I was spell bound when i read this, it has everything every aspiring ballerina needs to know! Perfect for the aspiring dancer but also the professional, tips and tricks of the trade all in one place. It includes, what to expect form a class, how to pick a school, what to wear to class, class etiquette, eating disorders in dancers and balanced diets for dancers (the last two are the ones which i found especially inspiring) Amazing presentation and beautiful diagrams to help you.This book is a godsend as from personal experience I know how hard it can be to get a place in the world of ballet and this book was what got me through, it told me where i was going wrong and where i was going right, and what my next step should be.

I bought this book as a home reference/catch up guide after starting a Beginner's Adult Ballet Class. It's beautifully informative and easy to read with all terms and definitions explained clearly and eloquently. Lots of positions and movements are photographed and described. A definite buy for anyon wanting more knowledge and awareness of ballet, perfect Beginner's guide!

The book was delivered quickly and in excellent condition. This book is a good general guide to ballet and includes many illustrations. I thought this book was very good indeed for the price as it has all the basics that you need to know to enjoy watching ballet or becoming a dancer yourself. I would recommend this book it is a very good read and reference book.

Very happy with this guide. Comprehensive, easy and enjoyable to read, beautifully illustrated. Hardbound with beautiful royal blue cloth covers, comes with a dustjacket. Only downside is that the darker colours in the illustrations tend rub off onto fingers and smear slightly.

I am a ballet fan but not a ballerino and I wanted a not overly technical description of the steps in ballet. This book is the answer, so I now know my Petit from my Grand Allegro, arabesque from attitude, cabriole from entrechat......Also the evolution of ballet is outlined in the 'blue' sections interspersed throughout the book, with references to the Bournonville, Cechetti and Vaganova styles. For young debutants there is ample advice on 'getting started',class,work at the barre and on pointe. And I have at last found out what 'Barre au Sol' (Jun Takeda DVD) means from the interesting sections on exercise and staying healthy as a dancer. This includes details on the early 20th.c.German,Joseph Pilates. The Companion concludes with a 'Must See Ballets' section, including modern and contemporary dance,a detailed chronology and a full glossary of ballet terms. This is a useful overview of the ballet world, both for the practitioner and for the interested spectator.

The informative text and beautiful pictures make this a ballet book for every student or lover of ballet, young or old, to read and enjoy. I've learned so much and love the pictures. I highly recommend this book!

Excellent book. I have just started learning ballet as an adult, having done other styles like Street, Jazz and Contemporary first.The book goes through everything you need to know with not just positions, but other interesting and helpful tips like buying ballet slippers and so on.

At a time when children spend far too much time in front of screens, and not nearly enough time moving and expressing themselves in direct, life-nourishing ways, ballet training is a powerful way to encourage a child to develop strength, discipline, health and aesthetics. The Ballet Companion is a wonderful, practical companion to the ballet journey, wonderful written, organized and photographed as a guide to the technique, traditions and living joys of ballet. A classic, this book is even more precious now in this post-pandemic world, where children have been locked down and remote. Ballet training is a way back and a way forward into a better future for our young people. Ballet is both an athletic and an art form. Empowering for all who practice it, it is especially important in these times of challenge for young people who can learn to face an uncertain future with greater composure, grace of presence and stamina.

Before start practicing ballet I bought different books about ballet. This one allows you to understand the nuts and bolts of ballet, from how yo choose a school to how to perform exercise. It's a great book for those who are practicing ballet or want to try ballet for the first time.

Beautiful book. Very informative.

I'm thrilled with this comprehensive book! Loads of information from basic technique to classic ballets and dancers. Beautiful pictures throughout as well. I am very happy with this purchase.

Excellent ouvrage tres complet, il aborde de nombreux aspects de la danse classique (histoire, technique, gestion des blessures, repertoire..). Dommage que les pas de liaison ne soient pas plus détaillés et l'histoire de la danse un peu trop centrée sur les Etats Unis. Néanmoins je recommande ce livre à tout passionné de danse. Il n'existe pas de livre équivalent en français.