The Balanchine Method

The Balanchine Method is a ballet technique developed by choreographer George Balanchine, a graduate ofVaganova Ballet Academy and initially used at the New York City Ballet. 

It requires extreme speed, very deep plie, unconventional arms and hands, and emphasis on lines, especially in decale. 

Because of musical background, movement in Balanchine Method is fast, staccato, and often syncopated. Requires a dancer with very good rhythm and musicality.

En-dehors pirouettes are often taken from a 4th position (legs) with straightened back leg and extended front arm (i.e., a lunge, as opposed to a plie). 

Also notable is the distinctive arabesque, with the dancer's hip opened towards the audience while the side arm is pressed back, using a spiral to create the illusion of a longer, higher arabesque line. 

Known for releasing the position of the hips to be hinged forward rather than centered. Also took the classical ballet lines and bend the wrists or flexed the feet to change the line.

The overall illusion of the Balanchine Method is that dancers are utilizing more space in less time: speed, height, length and a syncopated musicality are created.

The Balanchine Method is taught at School of American Ballet, the school of the New York City Ballet, and at many schools of Balanchine's disciples, such as Miami City Ballet (Ed Villella), Ballet Chicago StudioCompany (Daniel Duell), and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in Washington D.C.

Balanchine Method dancers must be extremely fit and flexible. Injuries can be common for those inexperienced with this technique.

Did not believe ballet was a museum of archive dances. Thought ballet was a living art. He took classic technique and performed it in a contemporary manner. 

Did not like over costuming of ballet. He believed the body was beautiful and the movement should be able to show off the body.

Simplified costumes from tutus to tunics, even leotards and tights. 

Ballets he created often did not have plots, or extensive themes. 

"Let dance be the star of the show" -Balanchine

The Cecchetti Method

The Cecchetti Method is a ballet training method devised by the Italian ballet master Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928). 

The method is a strict training system with special concern for anatomy within the confines of classical ballet technique, and seeks to develop the essential characteristics of dance in its students through a rigid training regime. 

The goal is for the student to learn to dance by studying and internalizing the basic principles, in an effort to become self-reliant rather than imitating the movements executed by their teacher.

The method traditionally has seven grades with examinations up to diploma level. Each level is created to anatomically suit the dancer at that age.

This method ensures that different types of steps are practiced in a planned sequence, and that each part of the body is worked evenly. Each exercise is executed to the left as well as to the right, beginning one side one week, and the other the next.

As with all ballet training techniques, the Cecchetti method teaches the student to think of the movement of the foot, leg, arm, and head, not as something apart, but in its relation to the whole body, to develop a feeling for graceful lines. 

Cecchetti laid down that it is more important to execute an exercise correctly once, than to do it a dozen times carelessly. Quality rather than quantity is the guiding rule. The Cecchetti Method is classic in its focus on line without extravagance or fussiness of movement.

The method includes a comprehensive vocabulary of movement, including nearly forty "adagios" composed by Cecchetti for the development and maintenance of the dancer's abilities. 

It is particularly noted for its eight port de bras.

Although Cecchetti insisted upon strict adherence to his program of daily practice, he also taught that the lesson of the day should be followed by studying new steps composed by the teacher to develop the student's powers in "quick study" and his ability to assimilate new steps and new "enchaînements".

Cecchetti "Black Swan" Advanced 2 Solo; Balanchine "Rubies Semperoper Ballett