The Most Popular Ballet School, Ranked

Choose the school you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:29
Choosing the right ballet school can be a pivotal decision for aspiring dancers, as it shapes their technique, discipline, and artistic growth. A ranking of popular ballet schools helps provide clarity and insight into what others value in a top-tier dance education. Such rankings are informed by community input, reflecting the shared experiences and outcomes of students from various schools. By participating in the voting process, you contribute to a resource that guides future dancers in making informed decisions about their education. Your vote helps highlight schools that excel in nurturing talent, offering quality training, and maintaining a supportive environment. This real-time ranking adjusts with each new vote, ensuring that it always reflects current preferences and insights.

What Is the Most Popular Ballet School?

  1. 1
    92
    votes

    The Royal Ballet School

    Dame Ninette de Valois
    Established in 1926, The Royal Ballet School is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. It is the official school of The Royal Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced some of the greatest dancers in history, including Margot Fonteyn, Darcey Bussell, and Carlos Acosta.
    The Royal Ballet School is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. It is a renowned institution for classical ballet training and education based in London, United Kingdom. The school has a long history dating back to its establishment in 1926.
    • Location: London, United Kingdom
    • Established: 1926
    • Type: Ballet school
    • Founder: Dame Ninette de Valois
    • Affiliation: The Royal Ballet
  2. 2
    41
    votes

    Paris Opera Ballet School

    King Louis XIV of France
    Founded in 1713, the Paris Opera Ballet School is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of its kind. It is the official school of the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the world's most renowned ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Rudolf Nureyev and Sylvie Guillem.
    The Paris Opera Ballet School, also known as École de Danse de l'Opéra national de Paris, is one of the most prestigious and renowned ballet schools in the world. Established in 1713, it has a long and rich history of training outstanding ballet dancers who later join the Paris Opera Ballet Company. The school's mission is to provide high-quality training, nurturing artistic talent, and preparing students for professional careers in ballet.
    • Year established: 1713
    • Location: Paris, France
    • Level of education: Pre-professional and professional
    • Number of students: Approximately 150
    • Main campus: Palais Garnier
  3. 3
    32
    votes
    The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
    Potekhin · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Founded in 1738, the Vaganova Academy is one of the most renowned ballet schools in the world. It is the official school of the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Anna Pavlova, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
    The Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. Located in Saint Petersburg, Russia, it was founded in 1738 as the Imperial Ballet School. Renamed in 1957 after the renowned ballet pedagogue Agrippina Vaganova, it continues to produce exceptional ballet dancers who uphold the traditions of Russian classical ballet.
    • Location: Saint Petersburg, Russia
    • Founding Year: 1738
    • Renamed After: Agrippina Vaganova
    • Pedagogical Style: Vaganova Method
    • Notable Alumni: Rudolf Nureyev, Anna Pavlova, Mikhail Baryshnikov
  4. 4
    18
    votes

    Bolshoi Ballet Academy

    Empress Catherine II of Russia
    Established in 1773, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy is one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet schools in the world. It is the official school of the Bolshoi Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Maya Plisetskaya and Ekaterina Maximova.
    The Bolshoi Ballet Academy is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world, located in Moscow, Russia. It was established in 1773 and has a rich history of training some of the finest ballet dancers. The academy is renowned for its classical training methods and rigorous curriculum, focusing on technique, strength, and artistry. Graduates from the academy often join the world-famous Bolshoi Ballet Company or other prominent ballet companies around the globe.
    • Location: Moscow, Russia
    • Year Established: 1773
    • Training Style: Classical
    • Curriculum Focus: Technique, Strength, Artistry
    • Affiliation: Bolshoi Ballet Company
  5. 5
    5
    votes
    The Juilliard School
    Yair Haklai · CC BY-SA 3.0

    The Juilliard School

    Dr. Frank Damrosch
    Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is one of the world's leading performing arts schools. It is renowned for its dance program, which has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Twyla Tharp and Lar Lubovitch.
    The Juilliard School is a prestigious performing arts conservatory located in New York City. It is renowned for its rigorous training programs in dance, drama, and music, including ballet. Founded in 1905, Juilliard is considered one of the world's most renowned institutions for the performing arts.
    • Location: New York City, United States
    • Year Founded: 1905
    • Disciplines: Dance, Drama, Music
    • Famous Alumni: Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, Kevin Spacey
    • Degree Programs: Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate
  6. 6
    18
    votes

    John Cranko School

    John Cranko
    Established in 1971, the John Cranko School is one of the most renowned ballet schools in Germany. It is the official school of the Stuttgart Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Marcia Haydée and Richard Cragun.
    The John Cranko School is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world, known for its excellence in training classical ballet dancers. Located in Stuttgart, Germany, it was founded by John Cranko in 1971.
    • Location: Stuttgart, Germany
    • Year Founded: 1971
    • Focus: Classical Ballet
    • Reputation: Highly-regarded and internationally recognized
    • Curriculum: Intensive classical ballet training
  7. 7
    7
    votes

    School of American Ballet

    George Balanchine
    Founded in 1934, the School of American Ballet is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the United States. It is the official school of the New York City Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
    The School of American Ballet is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the United States, known for its rigorous training and excellent education in classical ballet. It is located in New York City and has a long-standing history of producing world-renowned dancers.
    • Year Established: 1934
    • Curriculum: Classical ballet technique and training
    • Levels offered: Students range from ages 6 to 18, divided into different levels based on skill and experience
    • Faculty: Highly experienced and renowned ballet instructors
    • Performance Opportunities: Students get opportunities to perform in the annual Winter Ball and workshop performances
  8. 8
    11
    votes

    San Francisco Ballet School

    San Francisco Ballet
    Established in 1933, the San Francisco Ballet School is one of the most renowned ballet schools in the United States. It is the official school of the San Francisco Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Evelyn Cisneros and Yuri Possokhov.
    The San Francisco Ballet School is a renowned ballet school located in San Francisco, California. It is recognized as one of the most prestigious ballet training institutions in the United States and has produced numerous talented dancers who have gone on to successful careers in the world of ballet.
    • Location: San Francisco, California
    • Established: 1933
    • Programs Offered: Pre-Ballet, Children's Division, Trainee Program, Professional Program
    • Faculty: Highly experienced and renowned ballet instructors
    • Curriculum: Offers a comprehensive training curriculum based on the Vaganova method
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    Founded in 1959, the National Ballet School of Canada is one of the most prestigious ballet schools in Canada. It is the official school of the National Ballet of Canada, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in history, including Karen Kain and Rex Harrington.
    The National Ballet School of Canada is a prestigious ballet institution located in Toronto, Canada. Its origins can be traced back to the Canadian Ballet and later the National Ballet Guild. The school was officially established in 1959 and has since become one of the leading ballet schools in the world.
    • Location: Toronto, Canada
    • Year Established: 1959
    • Founder: Celia Franca
    • Disciplines Taught: Ballet
    • Age Range: 9-19 years
  10. 10
    2
    votes

    The Australian Ballet School

    Dame Margaret Scott
    Established in 1964, The Australian Ballet School is one of the most renowned ballet schools in Australia. It is the official school of The Australian Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies. The school has produced many of the greatest ballet dancers in Australian history, including Steven Heathcote and Lisa Pavane.
    The Australian Ballet School is a prestigious institution that is recognized as one of the leading ballet schools in the world. It was founded in 1964 and has since become a renowned hub for ballet training and education in Australia.
    • Location: Melbourne, Australia
    • Programs Offered: Full-time classical ballet training, Part-time and After School Program, Adult Classes
    • International Recognition: Affiliated with The Australian Ballet, the national ballet company of Australia
    • Faculty: Highly experienced and internationally recognized dance educators
    • Graduates: Many graduates have gone on to have successful careers in top ballet companies worldwide

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Ranking factors for popular school

  1. Reputation
    Look for schools with a strong reputation in the ballet world. This can be based on the quality of their teaching, the success of their alumni, and their connection to prestigious ballet companies or institutions.
  2. Faculty and Staff
    The quality and experience of the faculty and staff are crucial for a successful ballet school. Look for schools that have qualified and dedicated teachers, many of whom have had professional ballet careers themselves and are active in the dance world.
  3. Curriculum
    A strong curriculum should focus on both technical proficiency and artistic development, and should provide a comprehensive education in ballet technique, pointe work, variations, pas de deux, and character and contemporary dance.
  4. Performance Opportunities
    Regular performance opportunities are essential for students to develop their stage presence and confidence. Look for schools that offer student showcases, end-of-year performances, and opportunities to participate in competitions and other dance events.
  5. Facilities
    A ballet school should have well-equipped and spacious studios, ideally with sprung floors, barres, and large mirrors. Additional facilities such as changing rooms, waiting areas, and a small library or resource center may also be beneficial.
  6. Alumni Success
    The success of a school's alumni can be an indicator of the quality of its training. Look for schools that have produced dancers who have gone on to have successful careers in professional ballet companies or as teachers, choreographers, or administrators in the dance world.
  7. Affiliations and Partnerships
    The best ballet schools often have partnerships with professional ballet companies or other dance institutions that provide additional training and performance opportunities for students.
  8. Size and Class Sizes
    Consider the size of the school and class sizes, as smaller class sizes may allow for more individualized attention and a more supportive learning environment.
  9. Accessibility
    Consider the location of the school and the ease of access to public transportation, parking, and accommodations for out-of-town students if necessary.
  10. Tuition and Financial Aid
    Compare tuition costs and offerings of financial aid or scholarships to determine which school may be the best fit for your financial needs.
  11. Audition Process
    The audition process can be an important factor to consider, as some schools may be more selective than others. It can also be helpful to know if the school offers open auditions or requires a video submission beforehand.
  12. Commitment to Student Well-being
    A ballet school should prioritize the physical and mental well-being of its students, with a focus on a holistic approach to health, nutrition, and injury prevention.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Ballet school. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Classroom is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 5055 views
  • 219 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Classroom once every 24 hours. The rank of each Classroom is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular ballet school

Ballet is a beautiful and elegant form of dance that has been around for centuries. It originated in Italy during the Renaissance period and quickly spread throughout Europe. Today, ballet is practiced and admired all over the world, with many schools and companies dedicated to its study and performance. But with so many options, it can be difficult to determine which ballet schools are the most popular. That's where StrawPoll comes in. We've gathered data from thousands of users to help answer the question: what is the most popular ballet school? From world-renowned institutions like the Royal Ballet School in London to smaller, local schools, our poll results provide valuable insights into the preferences of ballet enthusiasts around the globe. So whether you're a seasoned dancer or simply curious about the world of ballet, our poll results are sure to provide valuable information about the most popular ballet schools in the world.

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