Founding Editor
Audrey Collins
Audrey Collins leads editorial at BalletBox, writing about ballet technique, companies, and the culture of dance for the next generation of dancers and the parents supporting them.
Articles
By Audrey Collins
Experience the Magic of Philadelphia Ballet: 2026 Highlights and Tips
Discover the enchanting performances of the Philadelphia Ballet in 2026. Get tips to enhance your experience and make the most of your visit! Read more.
Types of Ballet: Styles, Methods and How They Differ
Classical, romantic, neoclassical, and contemporary ballet explained. Learn the major types of ballet, their styles and methods, and how they differ from one another.
Discover the Best European Ballet Company for an Enchanting Experience
Explore top European ballet companies for a captivating experience. Find the perfect performance to immerse yourself in the world of dance. Read more!
Behind the Curtain: A Day in the Life of a Professional Ballet Dancer
People often ask me what it’s really like to be a ballet dancer. Do we just rehearse, perform, and drink green smoothies all day? Well, yes and no.
Ballet for All Ages: Tailoring Training Across Lifespans
From toddlers taking their first plié to adults returning to the barre after decades, I've seen firsthand how ballet for different age groups can be empowering, joyful, and life-changing.
Harmonious Movements: The Integral Role of Music in Ballet
When I first started dancing, my teachers always reminded me that music wasn't just background noise, it was the heartbeat of ballet.
Mental Health in Ballet: Balancing the Art with Well-Being
Ballet is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. The pursuit of excellence, long training hours, and the pressure to perform at peak levels can take a toll on a dancer’s mental health.
From Tutu to Today: The Evolution of Ballet Costumes
When most people think of ballet, the image that probably comes to mind is a dancer in a pristine tutu, pointe shoes, and a sleek bun.
Rising Stars: Emerging Ballet Companies to Watch
Ballet will always have its classics, the big-name companies with centuries of history behind them.
The Top 25 Ballet Companies in the World: A Definitive Guide
The top 25 ballet companies in the world, ranked, from the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi to American Ballet Theatre. A definitive guide to the best companies to know.
The Evolution of Ballet: Tradition Meets Modern Storytelling
Ballet has always held a special place in my life. I grew up mesmerized by the timeless classics, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Giselle, but what’s kept me.
Nutrition Tips for Ballet Dancers: Fueling Your Body for Performance and Recovery
Ballet is an art that demands strength, endurance, and grace, all of which are fueled by proper nutrition.
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.
Ballet Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Positions, Techniques, and Training
Embarking on a ballet journey is both exciting and rewarding. As someone who has experienced the transformative power of ballet, I'm thrilled to share some.
Best Ballet Schools to Learn: Top 20 Training Academies in the World
The top 20 ballet schools and training academies in the world, from Vaganova to the Royal Ballet School, with what makes each of the best ballet schools stand out.
13 Best Ballet Theaters In the United States to Watch a Performance
Experiencing ballet across the United States has been a journey through diverse architectural marvels and artistic excellence.
12 Best Ballet Theaters in Europe to Visit and Experience a Performance
As someone who has spent countless hours in awe of ballet performances across Europe, I can confidently say that the continent’s theaters are more than just.
What is an Allongé?
Allonge means stretched or lengthened. Learn what an allonge is in ballet, how it is used in arabesque and other positions, and how to perform it with a long line.
What Is an Allegro in Ballet?
Allegro means the fast, jumping steps in ballet, from sautes to grand jetes. Learn what allegro is and the difference between petit allegro and grand allegro.
Ballet’s Influence on Pop Culture: Fashion Trends and Adult Beginner Ballet Classes
As someone who’s always been fascinated by ballet, it’s thrilling to see how this centuries-old art form is experiencing a renaissance, thanks in part to its.
Ballet’s Bright Future: Embracing Classical Roots and Modern Inclusivity
Ballet has always held a special place in my heart. As someone who has been following this art form for years, I’ve watched ballet evolve while staying.
5 Time Management Tips to Prevent Dance Burnout
For the constant kids’ activities, I pulled in an expert to answer parent questions about time management, picking the right ones, and preventing burnout.
The Ultimate Guide to Dance Socks: Types, Benefits, and How to Choose
Discover the world of dance socks: Types, benefits, and how to choose the perfect pair for your dance style. Enhance your performance today!
Mastering the Arabesque in Dance: Technique, History, and Expression
Explore the elegance and storytelling power of the Arabesque in dance. From its history to its role in various styles, discover its beauty and significance.
Mastering the Art of Ballet: The 5th Position Demystified
Unlock the secrets of the 5th ballet position with our expert guide. Elevate your ballet technique and grace.
Mastering the Art of Tying Pointe Shoes in Ballet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Pointe shoes are an essential part your ballet attire. They all you to perform with grace, poise, and precision.
What is a Dégagé in Ballet?
A degage is a ballet step where the working foot brushes along the floor and lifts slightly with a pointed toe. Learn how to do a degage and how it differs from a tendu.
What is a Coupé in Ballet?
A coupé in ballet defines an action that has a "cutting movement."
Average Cost of Pointe Shoes
Are you about to start dancing on pointe? Learn the average cost of pointe shoes, as well as the cost per month, and costs for pointe shoe accessories.
Pointe Shoe Fitting: Complete Guide to Getting the Best Pointe Shoes
A complete guide to pointe shoe fitting: how to find your foot type and choose the right box, vamp, and shank, and how to get properly fitted for your first pointe shoes.
8 Body Positions in Ballet in Order
Learn the 8 body positions in ballet in order, from croise devant to ecarte derriere, with clear descriptions of how the body, legs, and arms face in each position.
How to Get Rid of Stress Belly
How to get rid of stress belly. Learn about stress belly and how you can get rid of it.
Lymphatic Drainage: The Complete Guide
Lymphatic Drainage. Want to learn more about lymphatic drainage? Learn about the health benefits of lymphatic drainage.
What Does It Mean To Be Bow Legged?
You’ve probably heard the term bow legged before, but what does it actually mean? Will it affect your journey as a dancer? Is it bad? Is it good?
What To Do With Old Ballet Costumes
What to do with old ballet costumes? Learn what you can do with your old dance costumes.
How to Improve Back Flexibility for Ballet Dancers
Improve back fleixbility for ballet. Learn exercises and stretches that you can do today to improve your back flexibility for dance.
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.
Audition Tips for Ballet Dancers
Audition tips for ballet dancers. Find a few key tips for your next ballet audition.
Why Demi Pointe Shoes are Necessary for Every Dancer
Eveyrthing you need to know about demi pointe shoes. Learn about getting fitted for demi pointe shoes, demi pointe shoe brands, and more.
Easy Ballet Stretches for Beginners
Easy ballet stretches for beginners. Find easy ballet stretches that you should do to increase your flexibility for ballet.
Foot Stretcher
Foot stretcher. Find information on how to improve foot and arch flexibility, as well as the products that are best to help.
Exercises to Improve Your Pirouettes
Exercises to improve your pirouettes. From passe to tendu en croix, learn abour exercises that can help you improve your pirouettes.
Basic Ballet Exercises for Advanced Dancers
Basic ballet exercises for advanced ballet dancers. Learn how you can practice and train using these basic ballet exercises.
How to Find the Best Ballet Attire
How to find the best ballet attire. Learn how and wear you can find the best ballet attire for class.
Is It Too Late To Do Ballet?
Is it too late to start ballet? Learn how you can get started with ballet regardless of age, experience, or skill level.
Ballet Ankle Strengthening Exercises
Learn ballet ankle strengthening exercises. FInd stretches and exercises to strengthen your ankles for ballet.
How to Deal with Bunions as a Ballet Dancer
How to deal with bunions as a ballet dancer. Learn about bunions and how you can cope with them when dancing ballet.
Exercises to Improve Turnout
Exercises to improve turnout. Find ballet exercises and stretches to help you improve your turnout and ballet techniques.
How to Tell Your Dance Teacher You’re Switching Studios
How to tell your dance teacher you're switching studios. Find tips for telling your dance teacher that you're switching to a new studio,
Makeup Tips for Dancers
Makeup tips for dancers. Learn about different products that you should be using for ballet and dance stage makeup.
Barre Music
Barre music doesn’t need to be Beethoven or Chopin to sound pretty and classy, it can be any number of popular songs from artists you listen to every day, like Lady Gaga or maybe even a catchy song from The Greatest Showman!
Beginner Ballet Exercises You Can Do During Coronavirus COVID-19 Class Closures
Beginner ballet exercises you can do from home during class cancellations. Find beginner ballet exercises you can do while classes are cancelled during COVID-19.
Modern Ballet Movies and TV Shows You Can Binge While Classes are Cancelled
Here's your list of the best modern ballet movies and tv shows you should binge while classes are cancelled.
15 Professional Ballet Dancers You Need to Follow on Instagram
15 professional ballet dancers you need to follow on instagram. Find 15 of the best ballet dancers you can follow for inspiration.
Best Virtual Ballet Classes You Can Take While Classes Are Cancelled for Coronavirus
Best virtual ballet classes you can take during the current class cancellations from coronavirus COVID-19. Learn more about the best virtual ballet classes.
What You Should Know Before Enrolling in Adult Ballet Class
Whatever the reason, before you pirouette your way into an adult ballet class, there’s a few things to consider and prepare for!
Muscles Used in a Plie
Muscles used in a plie. Find a complete list of the muscles used in a plie, as well as basic information and videos to perform a perfect plie.
Best Ballet Shoe for Beginner Adults
Best ballet shoe for beginner adults. Find out what the best ballet shoes are for adults and where to get them.
What's in Your Ballet Dance Bag?
What's in your ballet dance bag? Find out what items you should be carrying in your ballet dance bag for class, performances, and more.
Non Weight Bearing Exercises for Ballet Injury Recovery
Non weight bearing exercises for ballet and dance injury recovery. Find the best injury recovery workouts for ballet.
Ballet Gear for Adults
Looking for ballet gear for adults? Are you an adult getting back into ballet? Check out this article to learn about ballet gear for adults.
Why Do Ballet Tights Have Holes
Why do ballet tights have holes? Learn why convertible ballet tights have holes and where you can purchase the most comfortable and best ones.
Best Ballet Tights
Looking for the best ballet tights? Click here for the best ballet tights for beginners, intermediate, and advanced ballet dancers.
Getting Back Into Ballet
Getting back into Ballet? Here's a list of things you need to know if you want to rediscover or restart ballet as an adult.
How to Be a Ballet Teacher
Are you interested in becoming a ballet teacher? Learn how you can become a ballet teacher and plan your first class.
How to Increase Ballet Studio Revenue
Looking for ways to increase your ballet studio revenue? Here are a few tips and ideas for making the most from your ballet studio.
Ballet Summer Intensive Survival Guide
Ballet summer intensives can be exciting and stressful. Learn everything from how to audition for summer intensives, what to bring, and more.
List of Ballet Summer Intensives
List of the best ballet summer intensives. Use our list to find the best ballet summer intensive in your area.
How to Wash Capezio Tights
Learn how to best wash your Capezio ballet tights, as well how to properly care for and when to replace your ballet tights.
Ballet Dancer Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury in ballet. Learn our tips for how to diagnose, treat, prevent, and heal achilles tendonitis.
Toe Strengthening Exercises Ballet
Looking for exercises to strengthen your toes and feet for ballet? Here is a list of the best toe strengthening exercises for ballet dancers.
Ballet Barre Workouts
Interested in ballet barre workouts? Check out our guide to ballet barre workouts including videos of exercises and routines.
Improve Ballet Technique at Home
Whether you're just starting ballet or have been dancing for years, we all look for ways to improve our tehcnique at home.
Best Gifts for Ballet Dancers
Looking for gifts for dancers or ballerinas. Check out our list of the best gifts for ballet dancers that they're guaranteed to love.
Darning Your Pointe Shoes
Learn how to darn your pointe shoes. Darning your pointe shoes can be an effective way to increase the longevity of your pointe shoes, increase friction, and more.
Stage Makeup Removal and Skincare Routine With All Natural Products
With ballet performances coming up, checkout our stage makeup removal and skincare routine using all natural products.
How Much Does it Cost to be a Ballerina
How mich does it cost to be a ballerina? Learn about the different costs that go in to becoming a ballerina and training in dance.
How to Pancake Ballet Shoes
Looking for a quick guide to pancake your pointe shoes for a ballet performance? Check out our tutorial on pancaking pointe shoes.
Balancing Ballet and School
Whether you’re a young ballet dancer, or a parent looking to support your budding dancer, you know that finding a balance between training and schoolwork is crucial.
Contemporary Ballet Companies To Watch Out For
Contemporary ballet combines classic ballet with elements of modern dance, even infusing the traditional form with jazz or hip hop. Here’s BalletBox’s list of contemporary ballet companies to start following.
Starting Ballet at 30 Years and Older
Are you 30 years or older and looking to start ballet? Learn our tips and advice for starting ballet at 30+ years of age.
Advice and Tips for First-Time Ballet Dancers
Maybe you’re a young student or you’re a former dancer, looking to get back into ballet. Here is a list of advice to keep in mind, to help you ease your nerves as you move through your first class.
Best Pointe Shoes for Flat Feet
Learn which pointe shoes are best for flat feet, and tips for choosing and modifying pointe shoes if you have flat feet.
Starting Ballet at 13
Are you (or your child) 13 years old and wanting to start ballet? Click here to learn everything you need to know about starting ballet at 13 years old.
Ballet Terms Dictionary
A complete A to Z ballet terms dictionary and glossary. Look up the definitions of ballet steps, positions, and French vocabulary, from adagio to tour en l air.
20 Best Dance Movies, Documentaries, and TV Shows
Here’s a rundown of the 20 best dance movies, documentaries, and tv shows. Turn a casual Netflix binge into something a bit more productive by turning to some of the best dance films in cinematic history.
Ballet Post-Class Self Care Tips
Exercise through ballet class itself can be a great way to care for both your body and your mind. But, it’s easier to leave class feeling worn-down, burnt-out, and exhausted.
How Much Do Ballerinas Make
Learn how much professional ballerinas and ballet dancers get paid, as well as how to become a professional ballet dancer.
Where to Buy Ballet Tights
Looking to buy ballet tights? Click here to learn the best brand and the best kind of ballet tights to buy.
Cross Training for Ballet Dancers
Tired of the same old workouts to do on the side when you're not in ballet class? Here are some cross training workouts for ballet and videos of examples of them in action.
Unexpected Benefits of Dance
Dance class is a great time to immerse yourself in the world of ballet, shed a few pounds, or improve muscle tone, but, if you’ve even thought about learning how to dance, you probably knew that.
Dance Safety Tips
Dance safety tips. Learn some basic tips for dance safety and how to avoid common injuries if you or your child is just starting in ballet.
Why do Ballerinas Wear Buns?
Learn why ballerinas wear their hair in ballet buns, as well as how to make the perfect ballet bun with step-by-step guides, tutorials, and more.
Meals to Fuel You For Ballet Class
Prepping for dance classes can be tricky, eat too much, and you’ll feel bogged down during class; eat too little, and you might start to feel light-headed.
Ballet for 8 year olds
Parents often wonder what the best age is to enroll their kids in ballet. Typically, at the most elite academies, you’ll find the girls start at the ages of.
How to Be the Best Ballet Dancer in Your Class
If only there were a magical potion that you could take and be the best ballet dancer in your class. Right?
Why Do Ballet Dancers Wear Leg Warmers
What do baller dancers use leg warmers for? Learn everything you need to know about leg warmers, including our favorite brands.
Hip Pain from Ballet Dancing - Is it Serious? How to Treat?
Are you a ballet dancer experiencing hip pain? Learn about the different causes of hip pain/ hip flexor pain, if it's serious, and how to treat it for dancers.
How to Make Pointe Shoes Comfortable
Are your pointe shoes uncomfortable? Learn how you can make pointe shoes more comfortable and avoid pain and injuries.
Best Ballet Slipper Brands
Looking for the best ballet slipper brands? We surveyed thousands of dancers and created this list of best ballet shoes based on their responses.
Does Ballet Ruin Your Feet?
Does ballet ruin your feet? Learn about the injuries related to ballet and the impact they cause on your feet.
Ballet Tights - Answers to Every Question About Ballet Tights
Looking for an answer to questions about Ballet tights? Check out our complete list of answers to every question related to wearing, cleaning, and using ballet tights.
Canvas Ballet Shoes - "How Tos" and FAQ
Have questions about canvas ballet shoes? Find answers to all your questions regarding, cleaning, fitting, drying, and dyeing here.
Canvas Ballet Shoes Vs Leather Ballet Slippers
Are canvas ballet shoes better than leather ballet shoes? We polled thousands of dancers and instructors to determine which ballet shoe is better.
How to Get Ready for Pointe Shoes
Think you're ready for pointe shoes? Learn what teachers look for and how to get ready to dance on pointe shoes. BalletBox is the #1 resource for everything ballet.
Pointe Shoes for Giselle Feet
Giselle feet have three toes of similar length. Learn the best pointe shoe shapes, brands, and padding for Giselle foot type dancers and how to get the right fit.
Pointe Shoes for Grecian Feet
Check out our list and reviews of some of the best pointe shoes for Grecian or Greek feet. Learn what we recommend for Greek/Grecian feet!
When Ballet Meets Technology
Learn how a technology company used its technology to understand the movements of a professional ballet dancer.
Ballerina Toe Problems
Ballet is not a sport for the weak. Occasionally, us-dancers will experience an injury that needs rehab, and toe problems are one of the most common.
Pointe Shoes for Egyptian Feet
Egyptian feet have a long big toe that tapers down. Learn the best pointe shoe brands, box shapes, and fitting tips for Egyptian foot type dancers.
Pointe Shoe Brands
There are over 100 different pointe shoe brands. Check out our regularly updated list of different pointe shoe brands.
Ballet Dancer Rehabilitation Program for Sprained Ankles
Among the list of injuries related to ballet dancing, sprained ankles are the most common. They often occur when you least expect it whether by landing incorrectly on a grand jete or losing stability during fouettes.
How to Sew Pointe Shoe Ribbons
One of my favorite memories from ballet was when I finally made it en pointe. It's the moment that separates the serious dancers from the novices.
How Often Should You Replace Your Canvas Ballet Shoes
If you’re like me, then chances are you’ve worn your canvas shoes to the ground. It was common for me to keep wearing my shoes despite multiple holes, and if.
Toe Pad Survivor: Silicone vs Gel Pouches vs Lambs Wool
As a ballet dancer, you may need some toe padding. Check out our comparison of gel pouches (ouch pouches), silicone pads, and lambs wool.
Ballet Studio and Class Etiquette
Just like every class, there are rules and etiquette that apply. Ballet is no different. If anything, ballet has stricter guidelines and etiquette than any.
What Causes Plantar Fasciitis and How to Deal With It
Learn what causes plantar fasciitis in ballet dancers and how to deal with it. Find massage treatments, taping treatments, and more for plantar fasciitis.
Common Pointe Shoe Problems
Here are the top 3 common pointe shoe problems. Learn how to solve common pointe shoe problems before they happen.
Things Ballet Moms and Dads Need to Know
Raising a ballet dancer may seem cute at first, but it’s not all tutu’s and smiles. As a ballet mom or dad there’s things you need to know, and there’s.
Sartorius Muscle Sprain: What is it and how do you avoid it?
All ballet dancers need to be aware of the sartorius muscle group. It’s the long thin muscle that runs from the hip, across the thigh, all the way to the.