1956 New York City Ballet Poster

The literature on Balanchine is vast, but it is primarily biographical. Balanchine Variations is the first book to concentrate on the ballets themselves, providing critical analysis and detailed descriptions of what the dancers actually do. Beginning with Apollo (1928), Balanchine's first extant work, and ending with one of his last ...more

"Here is New York City Ballet as it really is- the good, the not so good, and the majestically beautiful. It's a true story, and it's told by someone who can honestly claim that he was there." ...more

An invaluable resource for dance teachers everywhere ...more

An inside look at one of the world's great dance companies, and an intimate account of the emotional and intellectual development of a young woman dedicated to one of the most demanding of all the arts. Toni Bentley's association with the New York City Ballet began when she was accepted ...more

The experience of dance is ephemeral. A lilting arabesque, an ascendant grand jeté, a precise pirouette--such movements exist for just a single moment. But the sensations they communicate to an audience member can be lasting. New York City Ballet has been one of America's preeminent companies since 1948. In Tributes, ...more

Dancers get their beautiful bodies by dancing, right? Well, there's more to it than that. They also do specific exercises and stretches to build their strength and keep their magnificent physiques injury-free. This book offers 50 of those exercises, ranging from routine abdominal movements to "center exercises" (which develop coordination ...more

A complete illustrated history of ballet, introducing the major dancers, choreographers, and composers who influenced this art form, starts at the sixteenth-century French court and moves to a portrait of a modern dancer's daily life. ...more

Anyone who has ever seen a live performance of ballet knows the thrill of seeing larger-than-life figures on stage dancing in ways that seem superhuman. What are these dancers like beyond the footlights? How have they acquired such artistry and technique? What are the joys and difficulties in sustaining their ...more

In the current dance scene, performers contend with choreography that involves extreme dance, multiple techniques, and acrobatic moves, exemplified in the popular reality television show, “So You Think You Can Dance.” The dilemma for aspiring professionals is that dance class no longer provides sufficient preparation for performing at this level. ...more