Step-By-Step Ballet Class: The Official Illustrated Guide [Paperback]

Royal Academy of Dancing (Author), Jane Struthers (Editor), Biz Hull (Illustrator), Antoinette Sibley (Foreword), Roger Daniels (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1994

Seven lessons follow a young dancer's development, from basic positions and postures to more advanced levels.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This title follows the updated International Examination Syllabus by illustrating a selection of exercises for pre-primary through grade five students taught at the Royal Academy of Dancing. Professional preparation is also discussed. Unfortunately, the illustrated instruction assumes a high level of knowledge and instructional assistance for comprehension, and access to the glossary is restricted by its awkward placement on page 14, between "How To Tie the Ribbons" and "Taking an Examination." Of greatest interest is the section that tracks a day in the life of two ballet students and provides eight short autobiographies of international dancers. For instructional purposes, the format is simply outmoded, as many dance guides are now on videocassette, including the Royal Academy's own 1991 videocassette, Grades Examinations Syllabus for Girls and Boys. For comprehensive dance collections only.
Irene Herold, Monmouth Coll. Lib., Ill.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-6. A guide to classwork at the Royal Academy of Dancing in England, this book details everything from dress, hair, and shoes to advice on finding a good ballet school and taking dance examinations. A chapter on each class level explains the correct positions and movements for typical exercises, with clear black-and-white pencil drawings of children performing each step. First-person narratives of dancers at various stages of their careers and two sections of full-color performance photographs provide information and inspiration for young dancers, but the book's main value is its no-nonsense approach to the everyday practice of ballet. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Contemporary Books, Inc. (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809234998
• ISBN-13: 978-0809234998
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #478,205 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > Dance > Ballet

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful quide for beganing dancers and parents, July 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Step-By-Step Ballet Class: The Official Illustrated Guide (Paperback)

Step by Step of the Ballet Class follows the RAD training method for the child's first five years. This is a very pleasent companion guide to the dance training. Step by Step explains the major deleopments each year and how to augment the studio training. Beautiful illistrations and well written

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Great explanations, truly easy to follow" ~Julia Hulia, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Step-By-Step Ballet Class: Illustrated Guide to the Official Ballet Syllabus (Royal Academy of Dancing) (Paperback)

This book is great for the young ballet dancer. I just started the Royal Academy of Dance at Grade 3, and I wanted to catch up a little, so I got this book and I understand so much more in class! It's great, easy explanations, side reminders, ("Tummy in!") and also character dance tips.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Step-By-Step Ballet Class, October 11, 2005

By 

Robin L. Goddard - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Step-By-Step Ballet Class: The Official Illustrated Guide (Paperback)

Good illustrations and text especially for the beginner. It was too basic for my daughter who has had 5 years of ballet classes. I recommend it for the 1-2 year ballet student.