5 Reasons Ballet Etiquette Matters in Adult Ballet Classes Melbourne
- Kalman Warhaft
- Aug 28
- 6 min read
Published: 29th August 2025
Ballet was born in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, particularly in Florence, where etiquette and dance were inseparable. It began as part of lavish entertainments that combined music, poetry, and dance to celebrate political power and noble life. These spectacles required performers to move gracefully, respect hierarchy, and demonstrate noble posture. From the beginning, ballet united artistry with behaviour, setting standards that still shape the studio today.
The art form was further developed in France when Catherine de’ Medici of Florence married King Henry II in 1533 and brought Italian dance masters to the French court. Under the patronage of French royalty, especially King Louis XIV in the 17th century, ballet evolved into a structured discipline and professional art form.
In 1661, Louis XIV, the Sun King, founded the Académie Royale de Danse, the first official ballet academy. This formalised ballet as both an art and a discipline, establishing rules of deportment, turnout, and presentation. These traditions spread across Europe and later into Russia, where schools such as the Imperial Ballet in St Petersburg reinforced etiquette as central to training; a legacy that continues to influence adult ballet classes in Melbourne today.
Here are five reasons why ballet etiquette still matters for adult ballet students as well as our children who dance.
1. Warming Up Matters
By the 19th century, ballet had become increasingly athletic. Professional dancers developed daily warm-up rituals to prepare for demanding feats such as multiple pirouettes, long adagios, and high extensions. Arriving at class without preparation was considered careless, and in elite companies it could even mark a dancer as unserious or disrespectful.
This tradition of readiness became part of ballet etiquette. Warming up showed commitment to the art and consideration for the teacher and fellow dancers. At the Paris Opera Ballet, dancers were expected to arrive long before class began, a practice that continues to this day. In Russia the Imperial Ballet enforced the same standards, with dancers beginning gentle movements long before the master entered the room.
For modern students, warming up is equally important. Melbourne Institute of Dance encourages students to stretch, practise gentle barre exercises, or simply take time to focus on their posture and breathing before class begins. These rituals do more than prepare muscles; they set a respectful tone and connect adults to a centuries-old culture of discipline. For many, this moment of preparation becomes a quiet, meditative start to the class, mirroring the habits of professionals across history.
2. Timeless Rules of Ballet Etiquette
Since the 18th century, ballet masters have set clear rules to maintain order and discipline. These guidelines survive today and still shape adult ballet programs.
Arrive on time: At the Imperial Ballet in St Petersburg, latecomers were often refused entry. Timeliness demonstrated respect and allowed the class to flow without interruption.
Follow studio customs: Silence during combinations, careful listening, and polite applause at the end of class have roots in French and Russian traditions. These customs keep attention on the teacher and the music.
Mind your spacing: In the crowded studios of 19th-century Paris, dancers learned to be acutely aware of others. Avoiding collisions was a matter of etiquette as well as safety, a principle still important today.
Dress appropriately: From Louis XIV’s ornate tunics to the practice uniforms of the Vaganova Academy, attire has always carried meaning. The proper clothing helps teachers assess posture and alignment and signals discipline.
Respect corrections: Historically, advice from a ballet master was considered a privilege. Today, listening carefully and applying feedback is still seen as a mark of maturity and progress.
These rules are a framework that shapes the learning environment. In schools such as the Paris Opera Ballet or the Royal Ballet in London, they are still emphasised as central to training. For adult students, following them creates structure and consistency, helping classes run smoothly and allowing everyone to benefit equally from the teacher’s guidance. They remind us that ballet is not only about movement but about shared respect and responsibility.
3. Etiquette Across Time and Cultures
By the 20th century, ballet had spread across Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. While national styles developed, the traditions of etiquette remained consistent. Respect for the teacher, punctuality, appearance, and attentiveness became hallmarks of ballet training across the world.
Companies in London, New York, Moscow, and Melbourne preserved these customs and taught them to students of every age. In Japan, etiquette in the studio is emphasised as strongly as in Russian academies, reflecting both cultural values and ballet tradition. In Australia, schools established by European teachers introduced the same standards, ensuring that Melbourne students inherited the discipline of their European counterparts.
The global spread of ballet etiquette shows that these customs are more than cultural formality. They act as a common language linking dancers across continents. An Australian student walking into a class in Paris or Tokyo would recognise the same expectations: arrive prepared, dress neatly, and show respect for the teacher and pianist. At Melbourne Institute of Dance, adult ballet classes allow students to participate in this global tradition, joining a lineage of dancers who share the same rituals regardless of where they train.
This continuity highlights ballet’s unique ability to blend cultures while preserving its essence. It also reassures adult students that their training in Melbourne directly connects to an art form celebrated worldwide.
4. Poise, Posture, and Presentation
In the courts of Louis XIV, dancers were expected to carry themselves with nobility: standing tall, chest lifted, and legs turned out. These expectations were standardised into the five positions of the feet, forming the foundation of ballet technique still taught today.
Posture and presentation were not just aesthetic; they were social markers. A dancer’s ability to move gracefully and acknowledge their audience reflected refinement and respect. In the 19th century, schools such as the Imperial Ballet in Russia placed equal importance on deportment and artistry. Students were trained to maintain elegance both on stage and in daily life, reinforcing ballet’s identity as an art of poise.
Gestures of presentation also became embedded in etiquette. Bowing or curtseying at the end of class, acknowledging the pianist, and treating each exercise as a mini-performance turned training into a practice of respect. At the Royal Danish Ballet, for instance, students are still encouraged to finish every exercise with a clear sense of presence, an approach mirrored in many studios worldwide.
Posture is both functional and symbolic. At Melbourne Institute of Dance, students are taught to lift through the spine, extend through the arms, and present each step as if on stage. This improves balance and prevents injury but also instils confidence and self-respect. Through these practices, dancers discover that posture and presentation are as much about mindset as about technique, connecting them to the elegance that has defined ballet for centuries.
5. Why Etiquette Enriches Adult Ballet
Looking back through history, etiquette has always linked technique to artistry. From Renaissance courts to the Imperial schools of Russia, rules of conduct shaped dancers into disciplined artists. Today, adult ballet students inherit this legacy every time they step into the studio.
Etiquette enriches class by creating structure and meaning. Observing customs such as listening to corrections, being mindful of others, and bowing at the end of class transforms learning into something more than exercise. These practices allow students to feel part of an art form with centuries of refinement. It also helps build community.
At Melbourne Institute of Dance, adult ballet programs show that etiquette is not about formality but about connection. It gives each class a rhythm, linking students to the art’s heritage while allowing them to express themselves in a respectful and supportive space. For many, the combination of discipline, artistry, and community makes ballet uniquely fulfilling.
Ballet etiquette has travelled from Renaissance courts to modern studios, evolving yet never losing its importance. For adult ballet classes in Melbourne, these traditions provide structure, community, and a direct link to history. They remind us that ballet is more than steps. It is a discipline of respect, poise, and expression.
At Melbourne Institute of Dance, you will experience how ballet etiquette enriches every moment at the barre.
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