Russian ballet

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Russian ballet is a method of ballet technique that originated in Russia. It has very expressive upper bodywork,with extra attention focused on the "line" of the dancer. In comparison with English or French styles, the Russian method is more extreme, with higher arabesques and longer bodylines. The style is often considered forceful and showy. An ideal look for all ballet dancers, and not just Russian dancers, is a long neck, legs, and arms. They are flexible, slim, and strong with a short torso.

Ballet today in the United States was partly adopted from the Russian influence. The New York City Ballet was co-founded by a man named George Balanchine. A key dancer from Moscow named Mikhail Mordkin started the company that later was called American Ballet Theatre.

Many ballet instructors were poor in Russia so companies like Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes went on tours in Western Europe promoting and making money for the company. Many of Russia’s excellent dancers opened up schools and became very popular.

Russia has given many of its techniques and styles too much of Europe which spread to the United States. The Russian Ballet Company was based in Moscow at the Bolshoi Theatre, and it was founded in 1776. The Bolshoi had a contemporary and earthy style it also had symphonic music and a dramatic action. Russian Ballet is still appreciated in the U.S. today.