Product Description

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 and Benjamin Millepied demonstrating perfect execution of positions and steps, this elegant volume brims with everything today's dance student needs, including:

• Practical advice for getting started, such as selecting a school, making the most of class, and studio etiquette

• Explanations of ballet fundamentals and major training systems

• An illustrated guide through ballet class -- warm-up, barre, and center floor

• Guidelines for safe, healthy dancing through a sensible diet, injury prevention, and cross-training with yoga and Pilates

• Descriptions of must-see ballets and glossaries of dance, music, and theater terms

Along the way you'll find technique secrets from stars of American Ballet Theatre, lavishly illustrated sidebars on ballet history, and tips on everything from styling a ballet bun to stage makeup to performing the perfect pirouette.

Whether a budding ballerina, serious student, or adult returning to ballet, dancers will find a lively mix of ballet's time-honored traditions and essential new information.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64623 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Gaynor Minden, a former dancer who now heads a dancewear company, has been immersed in the world of ballet for much of her life, and in this book shares dancer-to-dancer advice, much of which is aimed at beginning-to-intermediate level dancers, or adults who are either starting or returning to a childhood passion; dancers who have been committed to the art for a couple of years will already know on the finer points of finding a school, how to behave in class and the basic positions and movements, though the crisp photographs of professionals demonstrating steps are quite useful. The chapter on pointework, Gaynor Minden's specialty, is more widely valuable, and the pages devoted to dancer health contain vital information on eating disorders, injuries and supplemental physical training that teachers and students of all levels would do well to review. Brief sections called "The Curious Dancer" give introductions to ballet-related skills and trivia (how to apply stage makeup; ballet on Broadway), as well as intermittent features on great ballet companies and famous dancers of both early and modern times. Her explanation of the differences between the six major ballet styles, along with the superb glossaries of terms and dance history timeline, make this book a valuable resource for dance studios and a great primer for dancers in the early stages of training.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"The Ballet Companion is exactly that, a companion for dancers wishing to expand their knowledge of the art form and its ever-changing yet lasting community."

-- Lourdes Lopez, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet

"Everyone interested in ballet should read this book. It is a treasure trove for ballet enthusiasts."

-- Kirk Peterson, ballet master/choreographer, American Ballet Theatre

"This is the very book I would have loved to have discovered when I first started to study ballet."

-- Allegra Kent, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet and author of Once a Dancer

"Unique and comprehensive, this is a wonderful companion and guide for anybody who loves dance."

-- Edward Villella, former principal dancer, New York City Ballet and founding artistic director, Miami City Ballet

"Eliza Gaynor Minden captures our imagination, taking us into the magical world of ballet."

-- David Howard, internationally acclaimed master teacher and coach

"A superb reference book -- all the information today's students need but can't get just by taking class. Every dancer's library should have it."

-- Angel Corella, principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre

"This book is a broad canvas of the history, elements, and components of dance. It is must reading for those who love dance and wish to explore its functions and derivation."

-- Melissa Hayden, former principal dancer New York City Ballet, faculty, North Carolina School of the Arts

"This comprehensive guide to the world of ballet is a must-have for all dance enthusiasts."

-- Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

"A smorgasboerd of information about the world of ballet!"

-- Alexandra Ansanellli, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet

"This offers a wealth of information as well as being extremely interesting."

-- Mignon Furman, director, American Academy of Ballet

From the Inside Flap
"Everyone involved with or interested in ballet should read this book. Comprehensively researched and packed with valuable information, The Ballet Companion is a treasure-trove for ballet enthusiasts." -- Kirk Peterson, Ballet Master/Choreographer, American Ballet Theatre

"This is the very book I would have loved to have discovered when I first started to study ballet." -- Allegra Kent, former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet and author of Once a Dancer

"Unique and comprehensive, this is a wonderful companion and guide for anybody who loves dance." -- Edward Villella, Former Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet and Founding Artistic Director, Miami City Ballet

"The Ballet Companion is exactly that, a companion for dancers wishing to expand their knowledge of the art form and its ever changing yet lasting community. Finally, a book that reveals its rich history and strong tradition and how incredibly fortunate we are to belong to it." -- Lourdes Lopez, former Principal Dancer New York City Ballet

"Eliza Gaynor Minden captures our imagination, taking us into the magical world of ballet." -- David Howard, internationally acclaimed aster teacher and coach

"This book is a broad canvas of the history, elements, and components of dance. It is must reading for those who love dance and wish to explore its functions and derivation." -- Melissa Hayden, former principal dancer New York City Ballet, faculty, North Carolina School of the Arts

"This comprehensive guide to the world of ballet is a must-have for all dance enthusiasts." -- Gillian Murphy, Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

"A smorgasboard of information about the world of ballet!" -- Alexandra Ansanellli, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet

"This offers a wealth of information as well as being extremely interesting." -- Mignon Furman, director, American Academy of Ballet

"A unique book that blends a behind-the-scenes look at ballet with a bit of history, and how-to information. The Ballet Companion is a must have for every dance student and enthusiast." -- Maria Youskevitch, principal teacher, American Repertory Ballet's Princeton Ballet School

Customer Reviews

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.

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

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.