If you want to become a prima ballerina, you have to practice for many years. Even if you don't have such lofty aspirations, dancing is lots of fun and very good exercise. Ballet is an art form that is "more than 400 years old and uses steps and movements, music, scenery, and costumes to tell a story." If you decide you would like to dance you will have to have to be committed to practice each and every day. The first thing you'll have to do is find a proper studio, a teacher who is qualified and a welcoming environment in which to dance!
In this wonderful book you will learn what ballet is, how to find a place to learn, what kind of special clothing you'll need, what accessories you'll need to bring to class, how your hair should be worn, how to wear your ballet shoes, what to expect in class, how to warm up, how to get moving, what the five basic positions are, how to stand properly at the barre, barre exercises, exercises you will learn when you "become older and stronger," things you do in center practice, how to perform petit sautés (little jumps), how to focus when spinning around, hints on how to dance with a partner, how to dance on your toes (girls only!), the importance of teamwork, how to go from rehearsal to recital, you'll get a glimpse at famous ballets and will get a behind the scenes peek.
This is a very complete A to Z look at ballet for the beginner. The majority of the photographs show young dancers in action in an actual studio. There are a few photographs of older, more experienced dancers that will get the young ballet dancer dreaming about the time they acquire better skills. There are sidebar "Top tip" sections that include things like checklists of things to bring to the studio or "Ways to turn." In the back of the book is a thorough index and glossary. This would be the perfect gift for the aspiring ballet student. Are you ready to dance?
