Ballet: From the First Plie to Mastery, An Eight-Year Course (Paperback)

by Anna Paskevska (Author) "This book is intended as a resource guide for teachers and would-be teachers of ballet, and modern dancers/teachers who want to gain a deeper understanding..." (more)
Key Phrases: bras bas, low seconde, tendue seconde (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Ballet: From the First Plie to Mastery is designed as a complement to a beginning student's ballet training. The book opens with a brief description of the benefits of ballet training to young dancers, and then introduces fundamentals and precepts of the technique. Clear photographs show exactly how to execute each movement. Then an eight-year course is presented, taking the student from age 5 or 6 through the teen years, outlining exactly what is to be taught and how it is to be performed. A glossary, bibliography, and discography close the book.
Young girls-and increasingly boys-are drawn to ballet training as a way of developing healthy musculature and bones, building an aesthetic awareness, and enhancing body image. Paskevska believes that-when performed correctly-ballet can provide a lifetime of artistic and physical pleasure. Shunning pyrotechnics and flashy technique, the book offers a solid grounding in the basics of ballet movement that will serve the student well, whether or not he or she chooses to continue training. Through her comprehensive examination of the how, why, and when of performing basic ballet techniques, Paskevska offers a concise and easy-to-follow regimen for everyone from the beginning to more advanced dancer.
For ballet students, their parents, and their teachers, Ballet: from the First Plie to Mastery is an invaluable first step toward enjoying dance and excelling as a dancer.

About the Author
Anna Paskevska teaches ballet at the School of Chicago Ballet. She previously served on the faculties of Indiana University and the University of Louisville, Kentucky. She is the author of Both Sides of the Mirror: The Science and Art of Ballet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (June 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415942918
• ISBN-13: 978-0415942911
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #633,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent for teachers, October 11, 2002

By A Customer

this is a perfect guide for a syallabus for a dance school.
That is what I'm doing with it. I am a professional ballet dancer that has danced with major dance companies in the USA. I needed a good guide to teach young beginners I am teaching.This book is a perfect guide in teaching young beginners through to advance students. The stretches taught are real perks for the students to gain the flexibility they need for the years new steps. Also the strenghtening back exercises are exactly what children need in order to do arabesques and other steps. I am also a pilates instructor and these stretches and strengthening floor exercises are perfect. I wouldn't reccommend this book to a child since it is very detailed in words but to a 12-13year old that likes to read and dance it might be just what she likes! and it will give her some good pointers.
Best of luck
T.T.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book about real ballet, it's no picture book, September 22, 2002

By A Customer

If want your child to read some ballet picture book that they can color in, don't buy this book. This book is an indepth look into the technique of ballet. I sat down and read it with my seven year old. The author is so describtive that the pictures are not even needed. My daughter could perfectly comprehend the technique. This isn't a book of flashy technique or shortcuts around the technique, but of the simple,perfect technique. This is for parents and children who thinking of starting in seriuos ballet. I applaud Anna Paskevska for this delightful book on beginning ballet.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource for Ballet Teachers, June 9, 2003

By A Customer

I am in the process of writing curriculum for the studio that I teach at, and this has been an indespensable resource for a teacher. It had easy to follow sample classes that help you to get an idea of how to teach the classical vocabulary for that level. I found some of my all time favorite combinations in this book. Fabulous resource if you want to make sure your students are keeping up the ballet world!