Types of Ballet: 10 Ballet Styles and Techniques

Ballet is a type of highly technical dance recognized for dancers performing on their toes (called en pointe) to a classical music accompaniment.

Ballet has expanded since its initial creation during the Italian Renaissance and development in the French court under Louis XIV. Today, there are several styles of ballet dance and learning techniques often specific to the region where they’re taught. However, some well-known ballets are classical ballets, such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

While some ballets draw from fairy tales—thanks to the influence of the Romantic era—contemporary ballets don’t rely on clear narrative plots. Similarly, productions vary from lush and ornate, to simplistic and minimalist. But no matter which kind of ballet you’re viewing, all trained ballerinas learn the same foundational elements.

There are four different styles of ballet that have shaped the trajectory and evolution of the art form since its beginnings in Italy and France:

1. 1. Classical ballet: A traditional form of ballet, classical ballet features a full orchestra and story-driven narratives. The movements of classic ballet often emphasize the weightlessness and extension lines of ballerinas. Sets complement the show’s narrative, and the dancers wear intricate costumes. The American Ballet Theatre is an example of a classical company, and The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake are examples of classical ballets.
2. 2. Romantic ballet: Developed during the nineteenth century, Romantic ballet drew inspiration from the Romantic era. Many recognizable aspects of ballet, such as pointe work and tutus, emerged during this era. Romantic ballet emphasized emotion, lyricism, and drama in its narratives. This style of ballet led to more female dancers. La Sylphide falls under the romantic ballet category.
3. 3. Neoclassical ballet: Starting in the 1920s, this style brought abstract ideas to ballet as a reaction to romanticism. It stripped away ornate set decorations and over-dramatized performance. Ballet master George Balanchine influenced the style.
4. 4. Contemporary ballet: This style blends elements of classical ballet and modern dance, with some acting and mime work. Modern ballet also employs typical pointe work (though it’s sometimes also performed barefoot) while allowing for more upper body movement.

Following the creation of ballet in the French court under Louis XIV, the form developed distinct training methods that vary by country and ballet company.

1. 1. Vaganova method: Russian dancer Agrippina Vaganova created this ballet technique in the twentieth century. This method emphasizes flexibility, strength, and endurance. It also gives equal importance to arms and legs in performances. It includes elements of Russian ballet, the technically focused French style, the athleticism of Italian dancers, and influences from Romanticism.
2. 2. French technique: French ballet grew with the influence of Pierre Beauchamp, King, Molière, Jean-Baptiste, and Louis XIV, who founded the Académie Royale de Danse (now the Paris Opera Ballet). Beauchamp created the five fundamental foot positions that all ballet styles use. The training highlights fluidity, elegant and clean lines, technical precision, and fast footwork.
3. 3. Cecchetti method: Named for Enrico Cecchetti, this Italian ballet method originated in the early twentieth century. The choreography focuses on all parts of the body working and moving together to create beautiful lines through ballon (when ballerinas appear lightweight as they jump), elevations, balance, and eight port de bras (arm movement).
4. 4. Royal Academy of Dance method (RAD): Tamara Karsavina, Adeline Genée, Edouard Espinosa, Phillip J.S. Richardson, Lucia Cormani, and Phyllis Bedells helped found the Royal Academy of Dance, an English ballet school, in 1920. A combination of Danish, Russian, French, and Italian methods, this English style method promotes the classical ballet. Taught at a thorough, slow pace, it emphasizes perfection and poise. It also highlights free movement and character dance.
5. 5. Balanchine method: Evolved out of the neoclassical style, George Balanchine’s method focuses on the movements and not the story plot. Dancers often have flexed hands and off-balance positions. Exemplified in Coppélia, the method features deep plies, extreme speed, athletic dance quality, and pirouette en dehors from a lunge in fourth position (with a straight back leg).
6. 6. Bournonville method: A Danish ballet training method created by August Bournonville. The style highlights pirouettes from a low developpé position and beautiful ballon.

There is a long list of terminology associated with ballet performance, but there are a few that make up many foundational elements:

• Arabesque: When one leg supports the body, while the other leg extends horizontally and backward.
• Ballon: The appearance looking weightless and floating through the air during jumps, and landing softly, with the overall effect appearing effortless.
• Developpé: Meaning “to develop.” Moving one leg up to the knee of the standing leg and slowly extending it in the air, holding the hips square according to the direction the dancer is facing.
• En bas: Translating to “low,” en bas is when the dancer places their arms in a low position.
• Ėpaulement: When ballet dancers stand at an angle to the audience. It translates as “shouldering,” referring to the position of the shoulders to the body’s lower half.
• Five positions of the feet: Five positions, beginning with the turnout, that act as the foundation for ballet technique. There are also five ballet positions for arms.
• Floor work: Warm-up exercises a ballet dancer will do at the beginning of a class or performance, often along a barre.
• Into seconde: Usually a classical style technique, it refers to the feet being in second position, with one leg stepping out to the side.
• Pirouettes: Spins dancers make when they turn around one of their legs while the other is off the ground and in a position.
• Plié: When ballet dancers bend their knees and straighten them again, with their heels firm on the ground and feet turned out.
• Pointe work: When a ballet dancer (who’s wearing pointe shoes) places their entire weight on the tips of their fully extended feet.
• Port de bras: Translates to “movement of the arms,” and refers to how dancers move their arms between positions.
• Turnout: The first of the five positions, in which the legs point out from the hips, with heels together.

Practice ballet with Misty Copeland, the principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre. Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to put individual barre techniques together to create powerful performances and introduce artistry to your choreography.