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Ninette de Valois - Founder of the Royal Ballet

Ninette de Valois was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1898. Her original name was Edris Stannus. She studied under Espinosa, Legat and Cecchetti. After her career as a soloist in Diaghilev's Ballets Russes 1923-26 she founded her own school in London, the Academy of Choreographic Art. With dancers from the school de Valois established the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1931 (later the Sadler's Wells Ballet and the Royal Ballet ), which she directed for more than three decades (1931-63). She also founded a sister company, which became the Birmingham Royal Ballet. She was a noted choreographer as well, her best works are Job (1931), The Rake's Progress (1935), and Checkmate (1937). De Valois did much to increase the prestige of ballet in England, and in 1951 she was made a Dame of the British Empire. She retired in 1964 and was named Life Governor of the Royal Ballet. She wrote Invitation to the Ballet (1937) and Come Dance with Me

Question:

How soon can I go on my toes, I am 9 and have been dancing 3 years? Annie

Answer:

Hi Annie, I am often asked this question young girls usually start dancing en pointe between the ages of 10 and 15 years and doing 2 or more ballet classes a week. It takes considerable skill and strength to dance en pointe and you must be guided by your teacher. Remember do 100 releves onto demi pointe every day to help build up your strength keeping your hips firm and your weight evenly over your feet, this is good preparation work.

Question:

Where can I get tutu's and costumes made? Emily

Answer:

Try www.dormercrafts.co.uk