The Top 17 Best Ballet Schools In The world

Best ballet schools in the world – Ballet is one of the world’s oldest dance disciplines and demands extensive training and talent to master. This dance was introduced by the Italian Renaissance courts in the fifteenth century, but it did not gain notoriety until Catherine de Medici, who was married to King Henry II of France, became an avid fan.

Today, ballet schools can be found in nearly every region of the globe, but certain ballet schools are superior to others, making them the greatest in the world.

In this article, Expaat will highlight some of the world’s finest ballet schools and also expose a few hidden details. If you wish to enrol in a ballet school, read this article thoroughly and make a decision.

The Top 17 Best Ballet Schools in the World

Let’s take a look at the best ballet schools in the world, starting from the 17th ballet school to the 1st ballet school.

17. Hammond School

The Hammond School, founded in 1917, provides specialized training in dance, drama, and music for ages 11 to 16 and in dance, drama, music, as well as musical theatre for ages 16 and older. 

Built in the 1860s, Hoole Bank House presently houses a Performing Arts Centre (with a 420-seat theatre), dance studios, and a music suite.

16. School of the National Ballet of Canada

In 1956, the School of the National Ballet of Canada was created in North America. It is one of the best ballet schools in the world and one of the most prestigious dance schools in the world.

The School of the National Ballet of Canada was established by Celia Franca and Betty Oliphant. Some of this school’s graduates eventually join the National Ballet of Canada.

Their training program is regarded as the most effective in Canada.

Students get the option to train with instructors from the National Ballet of Canada and international guest performers. The school also includes a student-run theatre company, NBS Theatre Company, which annually stages a variety of plays for its students and audiences.

The school’s mission is to provide students with the creative skills necessary to pursue careers in dance or allied fields, such as choreography or teaching.

15. Australian Ballet School 

Dame Margaret Scott started the Australian Ballet School in 1964. This school was established so that it could be a part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

It is regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world, not just in Australia. If you’re in Australia, you should visit this school.

The Australian Ballet School provides classes for children aged three to eighteen. Ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop dance are taught. Additionally, the school offers a pre-professional program for those who wish to become professional dancers or teachers.

The Australian Ballet School additionally provides courses in performing arts and multimedia technology.

14. John Cranko School

Germany’s John Cranko School is a dance institution. John Cranko created this dance academy in 1971.

This institution is among the best ballet schools in the world. Ballet dancers that have won awards attend the academy to develop their talents.

John Cranko, the founder of this dance school, moved to Stuttgart with the intention of establishing a ballet school with the hope of providing a venue for gifted youngsters to train with the ballet company of the state theatre.

The institution offers a variety of preparatory through graduate-level courses to students from throughout the globe. 

Some of the most renowned international trainers and choreographers instruct the courses. Students receive training in classical ballet skills, in addition to character dance, music, singing, stagecraft, and languages.

13. Royal Ballet School 

Dame Ninette de Valois started the Royal Ballet School in 1926. Since its founding, this institution has been regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world.

It has been noted that students at the Royal Ballet School are encouraged to express themselves through their movements, in contrast to other dance schools where expressiveness is prohibited.

12. School of American Ballet in New York, United States of America

The School of American Ballet in New York, United States of America, is a prominent dance school. George Balanchine started this school in 1934.

The School of American Ballet is one of the world’s finest, or better yet, best ballet schools in the world, and not just in the United States.

In nearly a decade, SAB has expanded to include over 1,200 students at its Manhattan campus and another 2,000 students at satellite campuses across the country. The dance school provides training for dancers of all ages and skill levels, as well as numerous performing opportunities through its annual performances and travelling companies.

11. La Escuela National de Danza 

La Escuela National de Danza is one of the best ballet schools in the world. In 1998, Alicia Alonso started this dancing school as its founding director.

This Cuban dance academy employs instructors from the Cuban National Ballet. This ballet school encompasses Latin American culture.

10. San Francisco Ballet School

The San Francisco Ballet School is among the best ballet schools in the United States and the world. This esteemed dance school was established in 1933 and is the oldest dance school in the United States.

San Francisco Ballet School is the reason San Francisco is regarded as the West Coast’s ballet capital. This school has produced and continues to produce some of the finest ballet dancers in the world.

9. Julliard School of Dance

The Julliard School of Dance is one of the top ballet schools. This prominent dance school has existed since 1951 and has retained its position as the top dance school in the world.

8. Vaganova School

​​The Vaganova School is one of the world’s finest ballet academies. It was founded in 1738 as the imperial theatre academy. Jean-Baptiste, a French ballet master, was the first director of this school.

This school was founded by twelve boys and girls to build a dancing company in Russia. After a government edict disbanded it in 1924. In 1957, the 1920-founded Leningrad State Choreographic School was renamed the Vaganova School for Agrippina.

This school was named after Agrippina Vaganova, who had a significant influence on contemporary Russian ballet. The Vaganova School of Agrippina is renowned for creating the finest ballet dancers in the world.

7. Royal Danish School of Ballet

Royal Danish School of Ballet is an excellent ballet school that has existed for more than two centuries. It is one of Europe’s finest ballet schools.

This dance academy was founded in 1771 under the leadership of the French ballet instructor Pierre Laurent. The majority of their trainees ultimately join the Royal Danish Ballet.

It is the only ballet school in the world to offer instruction in the four major classical ballet styles: Russian, French, English, and Danish. 

Curriculum topics include classical dance technique, the method for performing as a character, choreography for solo and ensemble performances, music theory and composition for dancers, and artistic anatomy.

6. Sunhwa Arts High School

The Sunhwa Arts High School is a notable inclusion in our list of the world’s finest ballet schools. Even though it was founded in 1974, it has been shown to be a formidable competitor in the world of ballet.

This Asian dancing school puts rigorous requirements on its pupils, so it’s no surprise that many of its graduates join the Universal Ballet of Korea.

5. Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University was established in 1873 as a private research institution in Nashville, Tennessee.

At Vanderbilt, ballet instructors teach classical ballet, tap, contemporary/modern, hip hop, and global dance disciplines. The Vanderbilt Ballet Program is housed in Memorial Gym and also offers programs for beginners through advanced students.

Therefore, this top dance school has an acceptance rate of 9.6% and a graduation rate of 92.9%. In addition, the student-faculty ratio is 7:1. The cost of tuition is $50,800.

4. Skidmore College

Skidmore College is another of the greatest dance institutions in the world. It is a top liberal arts college nestled on 1,000 acres of natural beauty in Saratoga Springs, New York, one of “America’s best college towns” according to Travel & Leisure. 

The College offers two-degree programs in dance. A modest private university is located in a small suburb.

With 2,500 students from 67 countries, 43 majors, 120 student clubs, possibilities for supported research and internships, and more than 100 study abroad programs, there are numerous options.

At Skidmore, creativity is central, empowering students to mix disparate ideas, bring them to life, and develop solutions. Regardless of who or what, you are destined to be or do, creative thought is important. And that is the deciding factor.

Additionally, the institution is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

3. Fordham University

The university provides a one-degree program in dance. It is a large private university in a major metropolitan area. Fordham University, established in 1841, provides an urban education steeped in the Jesuit tradition of academic rigour and respect for the individual.

Students pick from more than 60 majors and are required to finish a core curriculum including literature, history, physics, religion, philosophy, and the arts. 

Fordham’s two residential campuses are Rose Hill, adjacent to the New York Botanical Garden and also the Bronx Zoo, and Lincoln Center, in the cultural hub of Manhattan near Central Park.

Fordham University, the Jesuit university in New York City, is a place where talent and intelligence are fostered and ambitions are realized. 

In addition, Fordham University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association’s Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

2. Elmhurst Ballet School

Elmhurst Ballet School (in collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet), formerly known as Elmhurst School for Dance, is the oldest vocational dance school in the United Kingdom. Originally located in Camberley, Surrey, the school relocated to Birmingham in 2004.

There are seven dance studios, a theatrical workshop, a 250-seat studio theatre, a medical centre, and as well as a physiotherapy/exercise centre on the school’s five-acre property. Their relationship with Birmingham Royal Ballet affords many pupils the opportunity to perform in the company’s works, to the benefit of many students.

Graduates are employed by Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Ballet Black, as well as other dance companies throughout Europe, the United States, and Japan.

Intriguingly, Elmhurst recognizes the possibility that a dancer’s career could be cut short by injury and hence provides rigorous academic instruction.

Students in the sixth form are permitted to take A-Levels, and a tiny percentage of Elmhurst graduates are accepted to universities. In 2018, the A-Level pass rate was 100%.

1. Paris Opera Ballet School.

In the 18th century, Louis XIV founded the Paris Opera Ballet School. This elite ballet academy has spent three centuries training the world’s finest ballet dancers.

It is one of the best ballet schools in the world.

The school provides three distinct programs: international preparatory, international vocational, and international professional.

FAQ on the Best Ballet Schools in the World

What is the optimal age for beginning ballet?

The optimal age to begin ballet training is four or five years old. At this age, the pupil can comprehend and comply with directions. Additionally, 7 to 9 years old is a suitable age to begin ballet. The sooner, the better.

How lengthy is the ballet learning process?

Learning ballet is a slow process, but it takes nine years of training to reach the professional level.

​​Which ballet school is the best in the world?

France’s Paris Opera Ballet School

The Paris Opera Ballet School in the French capital tops most lists of the best ballet schools in the world, yet it was not initially a school for children.

Conclusion on the Best Ballet Schools in the World

Ballet is one of the most popular forms of dance worldwide. It involves years of study and experience to master and pursue a profession.

There are numerous ballet schools in the world, but just a handful stand out as the absolute greatest. We hope you found this information about the best ballet schools in the world to be interesting.