The Vaganova Method vs. Other Ballet Training Systems

When parents compare ballet schools, they quickly discover that not all ballet is taught the same way. There are several major training methods, each with its own history and emphasis. Understanding the differences helps explain why Brevard Ballet Academy teaches the Vaganova method.

The Five Major Methods at a Glance

What Makes Vaganova Distinctive

The Vaganova method is defined by three things above all: the coordinated use of the whole body (with special attention to the back and épaulement), an expansive, expressive port de bras, and a deliberate, injury-conscious progression that unites technical strength with artistry. Where the Balanchine method prizes speed and the Cecchetti method prizes precise correctness, Vaganova aims for dancers who are simultaneously powerful, supple, musical, and expressive.

Notably, several methods actually borrow from Vaganova — the RAD syllabus was influenced by it, and even George Balanchine was a graduate of the same Imperial-school lineage. In many ways, the Russian school is the common ancestor.

Why BBA Teaches Vaganova

The choice is not arbitrary. BBA’s founder, Elena Shokhina, trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy itself and danced professionally for sixteen years. Teaching the method she lived means BBA students receive authentic instruction rather than a secondhand interpretation. Learn more about the Vaganova method and how its syllabus is structured.