At Doxa Arts Academy, we proudly teach the Cecchetti Method of ballet.  The Cecchetti Method of ballet training is a progressive system of training dancers from a pre-ballet beginning level to a professional level.  The Cecchetti Method was designed with careful regard to the laws of anatomy to prepare a dancer’s body to bear the physical demands of public performance.  The Method embodies qualities that are essential to the dancer; balance, poise, strength, elevation, elasticity, musicality and artistry.  Cecchetti Council of America has established a syllabus of carefully orchestrated exercises that build in complexity ensuring that each new movement is introduced from a fundamental approach.  As each movement is mastered and refined, new movements are introduced.  This progressive approach with attention to detail has produced a long list of very famous and accomplished ballet dancers.  The Cecchetti Method is classic in its purity and clean style and enables dancers to respond to the demands of a variety of choreographers.  The Method emphasizes the importance of using the entire body to establish a feeling for line.  Focus is on instruction by studying and absorbing the basic principles which govern the art, rather than by mere imitation of an individual’s teaching style.  Balance between the daily practice of both Cecchetti’s set exercises and each teacher’s new sequences is essential to producing a well rounded and versatile dancer.

Who is Enrico Cecchetti?

Enrico Cecchetti was born in a dressing room of a theatre in Rome on June 21, 1850. Young Enrico’s stage debut occurred as an infant in his father’s arms. Although his parents wanted a career in business or law for him, Enrico was determined to be a dancer and finally convinced his parents of his great desire and dedication. Trained in the rudiments of ballet by his father, Enrico was sent for further training to Giovanni Lepri, who prepared accomplished dancers. He also studied with two more of his father’s colleagues, Cesare Coppini, who taught at the prestigious La Scala in Milan, and Filippo Taglioni, father of the celebrated ballerina, Marie Taglioni. All of Cecchetti’s teachers had been trained by Carlo Blasis. This early training created a background for Enrico Cecchetti’s method of teaching, which followed the lines of Blasis’ own theory. Blasis had codified his teaching methods in the book Traite Elementaire, Technique et Practise de l’Art de la Danse, published in 1820.

CECCHETTI, THE PROFESSIONAL DANCER

Cecchetti began touring Europe in his late teens and had his debut on the stage of La Scala in Milan at age 20. He was an instant success! Throughout his career, he received rave reviews and accolades and was considered the finest male dancer of his time. At the height of his career, he migrated to St. Petersburg. While performing in Russia, he captivated his audiences with brilliant feats of batterie, amazing leaps, and multiple pirouettes. He was hired to perform as Premier Danseur, to be Maitre de Ballet with the Maryinski Ballet, and to teach at the Imperial Ballet School (1887-1902). So prodigious was his technique and his gifts for mime that he created and performed the virtuoso role of the Blue Bird and the mime role of Carabosse in the premiere of Petipa’s The Sleeping Beauty in 1890.

CECCHETTI, THE TEACHER

Cecchetti taught at the Imperial School in St. Petersburg from 1887-1902, and from 1902-1905 in Poland at the Warsaw State School. Returning to St. Petersburg in 1905, he established a school there. From 1907-1909, he coached Anna Pavlova exclusively until dancers from the Maryinsky pleaded with him to open his classes to them again. When Diaghilev wanted his company, the Ballets Russes, to tour, the dancers refused because they would miss their daily classes with Cecchetti. An astute businessman, Diaghilev hired Enrico for the dual roles of ballet master and mime. Cecchetti performed many mime roles which were created expressly for him by choreographers of the Ballets Russes. Cecchetti’s presence in the Diaghilev Ballets Russes was very important. He was the link between the past and the present, contributing to the birth of modern classical ballet. In addition to Cecchetti and the dancers, many other artists worked with the Diaghilev Ballets Russes: painters, set and costume designers Bakst, Picasso, Cocteau, and Matisse; composers Debussy, De Falla, Prokofiev, Ravel, and Stravinsky. The Ballets Russes toured through Europe, the United States, South America, and Australia. Tired of touring, Cecchetti settled in London, England where he opened a school to which dancers flocked. Considered the technical lodestar of the ballet world, it was said that no one could become a finished ballet dancer without passing through Cecchetti’s hands. In 1923, he returned to Italy to retire but was invited by Arturo Toscanini to resume his teaching career at La Scala, his lifelong dream. While teaching a class, Cecchetti collapsed and was taken home, where he died the following day, November 13, 1928.

CECCHETTI EXAMS

Students who wish to begin the Cecchetti program with Doxa will have the option to go before a nationally certified board examiner upon mastery of their current level.  Certificate of completion will be give to the successful student.  This not only helps the student become more proficient in their technique, but it will also communicate for the student during auditions for future employment.  Because the Cecchetti method is an internationally recognized program, company directors will immediately understand the level and capabilities of the candidate.