Discover · The Cover Story
Ballet Levels and Grades, Explained for Parents
Confused by ballet grades and levels? Here's how studios structure classes, what RAD ballet grades and exams mean, typical ages, and how kids move up.
Read the storyBallet Jumps Explained: Sauté, Jeté, and More
A friendly guide to the main ballet jumps, from sauté to grand jeté. What each jump is, how it looks, and simple tips to help you jump higher and land softer.
Ballet Shoes vs Pointe Shoes: The Beginner's Guide
Ballet shoes vs pointe shoes, explained for beginners and parents. Here's the real difference between soft ballet slippers and pointe shoes, and why you can't start on pointe.
How to Become a Ballerina: The Realistic Path
How to become a ballerina, for real: when to start, how training builds, what auditions and company jobs look like, and an honest take on the odds.
Find your footing
Four ways in
Discover
The art, history, companies, and culture of ballet.
Ballet Levels and Grades, Explained for Parents
Confused by ballet grades and levels? Here's how studios structure classes, what RAD ballet grades and exams mean, typical ages, and how kids move up.
How to Become a Ballerina: The Realistic Path
How to become a ballerina, for real: when to start, how training builds, what auditions and company jobs look like, and an honest take on the odds.
Pas de Deux: Ballet Partnering Explained
What is a pas de deux? Here's the pas de deux meaning, the parts of a grand pas de deux, and what partnering skills like lifts and supported turns really take.
Pointe-rs
Everything pointe, fitting, care, and going up on your toes.
Ballet Shoes vs Pointe Shoes: The Beginner's Guide
Ballet shoes vs pointe shoes, explained for beginners and parents. Here's the real difference between soft ballet slippers and pointe shoes, and why you can't start on pointe.
How to Wash Ballet Tights So They Last
How to wash and care for ballet tights so they last: hand washing vs machine, water temperature, drying, and dealing with runs and holes.
Freed of London: A Dancer's Guide to the Brand
A friendly guide to Freed of London dancewear: who they are, what makers and the maker's mark stamp mean, and which dancers their pointe shoes tend to suit.
Injury Prevention
Stay strong, dance longer, and protect the body.
Common Ballet Injuries and How to Prevent Them
A calm, plain-English guide to the most common ballet injuries, where they come from, and the everyday habits that help dancers stay healthy and keep dancing.
Injury Prevention for Ballet Dancers: Essential Tips for Strength and Longevity
Ballet is a physically demanding art form that requires incredible strength, flexibility, and endurance.
Lisfranc Injury Overtime
The last thing you want as a dancer is any sort of damage to your feet. Your feet are pretty much essential, so it’s important to prevent foot injuries, like a Lisfranc injury at all cost.
The Archive
More from Raising the Barre
How to Wash Ballet Tights So They Last
How to wash and care for ballet tights so they last: hand washing vs machine, water temperature, drying, and dealing with runs and holes.
Pas de Deux: Ballet Partnering Explained
What is a pas de deux? Here's the pas de deux meaning, the parts of a grand pas de deux, and what partnering skills like lifts and supported turns really take.
Relevé and Passé in Ballet: A Simple Guide
Relevé and passé are two moves you'll use in almost every class. Here's what a relevé is, how it differs from an élevé, and how passé (retiré) works.
Prima Ballerina: What the Title Really Means
What is a prima ballerina? Here's the prima ballerina meaning, how it fits with company ranks like principal, and how rare the title really is.
Your First Ballet Recital: What to Expect
A calm, practical guide to your first ballet recital: costumes, fees, stage makeup, dress rehearsal, backstage logistics, and how to settle the nerves.
Where Is Ballet Most Popular Around the World?
Where is ballet most popular? A friendly tour of the countries with the deepest ballet traditions and the new scenes lighting up the dance world.