Top 5 Dance Masterclasses for Adult Ballet Beginners

 Starting ballet as an adult can seem a bit nerve racking.

It takes guts to walk into a ballet studio and "just dance." When you don't know the steps, or the class order, or ballet etiquette, or the many, many French terms...it can all be a bit overwhelming. But the benefits of adult ballet classes are enough of a reason for anyone to want to start and we, at Dance Masterclass, want to take the stress out of starting.

We've got you covered with this beginners starter-pack (so to speak) of our top 5 Dance Masterclasses for anyone who wishes to begin ballet training.

Let's take a look:

1. Ballet for Beginners by Léonore Baulac

We can't recommend this course highly enough for anyone who wants to enter into the world of ballet training.

In her Dance Masterclass, Léonore shares her personal background and history with dance as she tells the story of how she got to where she is today - Étoile dancer with the Paris Opera (So, in other words, a very big deal!).

Throughout each lesson, she walks you through fundamental basics from ballet positions of the feet and arms, to steps at the barre (Don't worry, you don't need an actual ballet barre to start - the back of a chair, a countertop, or even just a wall is enough to begin. In fact, there are many of us here at Dance Masterclass who remember practicing ballet with the foot of our bed frame as the "barre"...it's just about having a support.)...all the way through to exercises in the center for better balance, turns and jumps. 

This immersive ballet experience is perfect for anyone to start and who better to learn from than star dancer, Léonore Baulac? We loved working with her and we think you will, too!

2. Turnout by Anna Ol

When we're little, it's common that we first learn how to turnout our legs while sitting on the floor. When you learn ballet at a very young age, the concept of turnout is often taught by sitting with your legs straight out in front of you, hands on your hips, back straight, feet flexed and finally, "make a pizza" (!) with your feet. This elementary way of learning proper turnout from the hips can be very useful when teaching young children and, actually, the concept doesn't change all that much when learning turnout as an adult. While it's likely pizza is still an exciting topic (we're all human, after all), it can be very helpful to learn the concept of turnout, first, at an anatomical level.

In her Dance Masterclass, Anna Ol (principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet), explains the root of your turnout and which muscles, joints, bones, etc. to focus on as you practice proper placement.

Complete with strengthening tips and flexibility stretches, she walks you through all the details of finding your natural turnout and then, how to safely increase it through comprehensive demonstrations of individual exercises. 

Searching for the secret to better turnout? Let us give you a few hints with an academic approach to what makes up your outward rotation. 

3. Ballerina Workout by Katie Boren

It's true that ballet builds strength, but there are other ways to target the necessary muscle groups for dance outside of your regular ballet lessons.

To support her career as a professional ballet dancer, our master, Katie Boren, has taken to fitness. As a dancer with American Ballet Theater (needless to say, one of the very top ballet companies in the world) her Ballerina Workout is the perfect pair to a professional career in dance.

In her Dance Masterclass, Katie gives specific exercises to support your journey, whether you're a ballet beginner, or a seasoned pro. The exercises in this workout class are customizable so that you can fit them into your individual routine. You'll gain strength and flexibility so that, as you continue to take ballet classes, you can enjoy your dancing even more. 

4. Flexibility by Anna Ol

When you think of ballet, it's likely that you think of high, extended legs, beautiful ballet feet, and ballerinas with ultra bendy backs.

But you don't need to have extreme flexibility in order to enjoy a ballet class. You might be naturally flexible or, maybe not. Either way, this Dance Masterclass with Anna Ol is a great way for anyone to enhance their flexibility. Through her careful approach, you can learn ballet stretches, stretches for splits, and much more in this class all about flexibility. Learn exercises for longer lines with a specific focus on Anna Ol's signature développé and how to work toward a higher développé of your own! 

But this class is not just about stretches and higher extensions - Anna walks you through her favorite recovery methods so that you can ensure you are taking the best possible care of your muscles and joints, post stretching. 

5. Pointe Shoes by Iana Salenko

For many, pointe shoes are the ultimate defining factor of what sets ballet apart from other dance styles. So if you're thinking about giving pointe training a try, we've got your back (and your feet)!

In her class about pointe shoes, Iana Salenko (principal dancer with the Berlin State Ballet), teaches you about different brands of pointe shoes, how to customize them to best fit your feet and your dancing needs, and even a few beginner exercises for strength and stability which are suitable for all levels. Her attention to detail is what makes her shine, now it's your turn to give her methods a try!

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For more ways to explore your movement possibilities, check out our full library for training tips, inspiration and a variety of online dance classes with the greatest dance artists in the world.