The Ballet Companion: Ballet Companion

by Eliza Gaynor Minden

Book Overview

A New Classic for Today's Dancer The Ballet Companion is a fresh, comprehensive, and thoroughly up-to-date reference book for the dancer. With 150 stunning photographs of ballet stars Maria Riccetto... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074326407X
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Touchstone
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.2" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Exactly what every dancer needs!

I bought this book out of curiosity and it has gone beyond my expectations! I’ve shared it with my students and have used so much info for their ballet education. The writing is so clear and explanatory and truly has all the info you need as a ballet dancer! So cool.

Lovely

I really enjoyed this book. There's almost nothing out there for us adult beginners, and this book fills that gap totally. I highly recommend it for anyone starting out, but would hesitate to get it if you've already been taking classes for a few years.

Outstanding! A great gift for anyone who has an interest in dance.

At last a gorgeous new book that does justice to the bunhead way of life. Eliza Gaynor Minden obviously cares deeply about her subject and her enthusiasm for and appreciation of ballet is infectious. Hundreds of steps and movements defined and pictured, plus practical advice such as how to evaluate teachers or schools or summer programs, how to stay healthy and prevent injury, what to eat, how to audition, how to stretch, the whys and wherefors of class etiquette, the differences among training schools, what to learn from other dance forms such as jazz or modern, plus lively takes on everything from the first pointe performance to ballet on Broadway. Great glossary that even includes dancer slang. Practical, browsable, informative, this book inspires and instructs and shows dancers of any level how to get more out of dancing.

The most complete guide I've seen

While any dancer will find this book of great interest, it is something that would be a true joy to the beginning ballet student. The book begins with that essential first step of selecting the correct ballet school. It proceeds from there with all that I can describe as love. Ms. Minden has a life long love of ballet, and she brings all that to this book. It's partly, perhaps even mostly a text book. It's the positions, the muscles, the techniques. Also there are tales of history, of dancers of the past that advanced the art. There is discussion of common injuries and how to prevent them. In essence this is the complete book of ballet. It covers just about everything (except how difficult it is to get a job as a dancer). I really wish that I could have purchased this book for my daughter when she was first getting interested in dance oh so many years ago. Oh what a Christmas present it would have made.

Aids to Excellence for Classical Ballet Dancers - (and hints for their relatives and audiences!)

THE BALLET COMPANION by Eliza Gaynor Minden is a book for everyone whose life is touched by dance -- to any degree, in any capacity -- whether dance is your life, or you're an occasional audience member, or you are godparent to a young dancer. The book is illustrated by, and intended equally for, males and females. The author writes to de-mystify the dance, but this will take none of the magic away. In fact, the reader will love the art with renewed vision and passion after reading her book, which is rich with photos and drawings, and alive with color. For future dancers: Others may tell you some of what is in this book, but here you will find information no one else may think of sharing with you. You will learn how to send the signals to your teacher, parents, choreographer, ballet mistress, casting director, fellow dancers, audience -- and most of all, to yourself -- that you are serious about becoming a contributing presence in the world of dance. For teachers of dance: Your identity and your lifework are validated at the outset (see p. 3, Teacher's Credentials). Essentials of what students need to do to maximize their openness to their teachers are stated clearly and with a sense of humor. Respect and regard for the studio and one's faculty and classmates, grooming, conduct in the theatre: these are only a thimbleful of the relevant, vitally important topics covered to everyone's benefit. For parents and relatives of dancers: This book presents not only the essentials of classical ballet training and technique, but also the highest standards of courtesy, consideration, integrity and (one might say) civilization, to empower a new generation. The author's use of the English language exemplifies elegance and clarity on every page. For libraries: THE BALLET COMPANION is an outstanding reference book, both for readers already saturated in the art, and for inquiring minds among a general public wishing to become more familiar with what is involved in the dancing life. From stage makeup to classical terminology, from clear descriptions of the six major schools, or heritages, of ballet -- to body esteem and injury prevention, from stage fright to "dancer slang," the varied subjects will tantalize, inform and entertain the reader. Inserted colorfully and with irresistible appeal into each chapter are the most important elements of dance history, with attention to dance notation and to many idioms besides classical ballet. No one is too advanced for this book. Eliza Gaynor Minden's way of expressing technical truths has thrilled my teaching mind, and is perhaps even more appreciated because of my several decades in the profession. THE BALLET COMPANION is one of the first treasures to be gained by the world in this 21st century. Book Report by Joan Kunsch Classical Ballet Faculty/ Associate Director Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts Torrington, CT 06790