Ballet Master
A Ballet Master (or Ballet Mistress for women) is a senior leadership role in dance companies and ballet schools. They are experienced professionals who teach, train, and coach dancers, maintain the artistic quality of performances, and preserve classic ballet works. Think of them as both a coach and quality manager for ballet productions. They typically have extensive experience as professional dancers themselves before moving into this teaching and leadership position. This role is similar to an Athletic Director in sports or an Artistic Director in theater, but specifically focused on ballet technique and production.
Examples in Resumes
Served as Ballet Master for regional dance company, training 30+ professional dancers
Led daily company classes as Ballet Mistress, preparing dancers for major productions
Staged and rehearsed classical repertoire as Ballet Master, maintaining artistic excellence across 12 productions annually
Typical job title: "Ballet Masters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Ballet Masters
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Networking
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach preserving traditional ballet works while making them relevant for modern audiences?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with both traditional staging and contemporary adaptations, maintaining artistic integrity while considering audience engagement, and specific examples of successful productions they've overseen.
Q: How do you handle the development of both corps de ballet and principal dancers?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for group and individual coaching, maintaining company standards, and balancing the needs of different skill levels within the company.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you structure daily company class to prepare dancers for current repertoire?
Expected Answer: Should describe how they adapt class content to support upcoming performances, injury prevention, and technical development needs of the company.
Q: What methods do you use to teach and correct technique while maintaining dancers' confidence?
Expected Answer: Should discuss positive teaching approaches, individual correction methods, and experience with both group and private coaching.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What experience do you have with different ballet teaching methods?
Expected Answer: Should be familiar with major teaching methods (Vaganova, RAD, Cecchetti, etc.) and have experience applying at least one methodology.
Q: How do you maintain accurate records of choreography and staging notes?
Expected Answer: Should explain systems for documenting choreography, rehearsal notes, and production details for future reference.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Teaching basic ballet technique
- Leading warm-up classes
- Basic choreography notation
- Assisting with rehearsals
Mid (3-8 years)
- Full class instruction
- Rehearsal direction
- Performance preparation
- Choreography staging
Senior (8+ years)
- Company management
- Production oversight
- Repertoire preservation
- Artist development
Red Flags to Watch For
- Limited professional dance experience
- No teaching certification from recognized ballet organizations
- Lack of experience with full-length ballet productions
- Poor understanding of injury prevention and dancer health
Related Terms
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