Here are the principal characteristics of these two disciplines. It’s up to you to decide which best corresponds to your temperament. Each of them can bring you great satisfaction, but don’t forget that even an excellent modern dancer cannot perform classical ballet if he or she hasn’t received classical ballet training before. Classical Ballet, on the other hand, will give you an irreplaceable foundation; if later on, you don’t wish to perform in that medium, you will be able to adapt yourself to any modern style.
CLASSICAL BALLET This is a well-defined discipline, taught the same way all over the world. It is based on two great concepts; turnout, and the five positions. These two concepts have been followed since the creation of the Royal Academy of Dancing.
In the traditional royal ballets, the most important thing is to find movements and steps that are graceful, noble and elegant. The body itself must conform to this idea of beauty; a harmonious way of holding the head, a long neck, slender wrist, and good proportions are desirable. Training, which aims at molding the body; must, if possible, start when the student is very young.
The pursuits of lightness has driven dancers to rise and leap higher and higher. Women raise and lighten themselves by going on pointe.
A classical ballet tells a story with character in costume. Tutu and pointe shoes are the standard costume of a ballerina.
MODERN DANCE
Different styles each correspond to a particular training, which goes more deeply into certain aspects of dance; contraction and release, a sense of balance, movement through space, breathing…
Always seeking to grow, contemporary dance continues to create new styles and techniques.
Contemporary dance tries to express modern life. It is not fundamentally searching for beauty and can also show ugliness, violence, sensuality…There is no defined idea of beauty of the body, but the body must be strong and supple enough to perform movements that are sometimes acrobatic.
Elevation has less importance. On contrary, dancers can bend down, fall, or move along the floor, depending on what feelings they wish to express.
Often the dance does not really have a story, but rather an atmosphere that expresses ideas and feelings. Dancers may wear skin-tight leotards, giving the impression of nudity, or everyday clothes, or fantasy costumes. Shoes are not necessary, people often dance barefoot.
