The Extraordinary Life of George Balanchine

Importance of George Balanchine: 

For this project, I chose to write about an amazing choreographer named George Balanchine. I decided to write about him because he created such a great new style that was included in his version of The Nutcracker, as well as many other ballets. This stuck out to me since I was able to be a part of a performance of The Nutcracker when I was younger. I thought that his story of how he started to be a choreographer was very fascinating. Especially because he grew up in a musical brought up at home, and even played many instruments himself. This love of music was able to help him create such wonderful pieces. He used his talents to find a way to see the music and be able to create new moves that would stick out in a performance. He was known for his ability to tell stories through his pieces, often focusing on the dancers themselves by using minimalist sets and costumes. Balanchine was known for revolutionizing ballet, as he blended classical techniques with innovative ideas that transformed this art. His ideas had a lasting impact on the dance world. Exploring Balanchine’s work allows for a better perspective into the evolution of ballet and a deeper understanding of the relationship between music and movement.

Balanchine posing in a studio in 1974. Picture 
by Martha Swope. -New York

Biography Info 

George Balanchine was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on January 22, 1904. He stayed in Saint Petersburg until he was 20 years old. He started dance school at age 9 and soon after he “made his own dancing debut at the age of 10 as a cupid in the Maryinsky Theatre Ballet Company production of The Sleeping Beauty” (Porodina, 2023).  After dance school, he joined the Imperial Ballet as a dancer but quickly started to explore the art of choreography. At the Imperial Ballet School, he not only continued his love for dance but he started to immerse himself in choreography. The first piece he created was made when he was around 16-18 years old. The Imperial School of Ballet in Russia allowed Balanchine to be exposed to classical ballet techniques and learn from renowned choreographers. Agrippina Vaganova was a teacher at the Imperial School of Ballet who had a significant impact on Balanchine’s development, not just as a choreographer, but also as a dancer. He was able to gain valuable choreographic experience with the Ballets Russes, where he worked alongside Sergei Diaghilev and other influential figures. His early exposure to many forms of art, such as theater and music, significantly helped shape his artistic abilities. 

Balanchine is choreographing a new dance. (1972)
Photographer unknown 

Career Highlights:

George Balanchine moved to America in 1933. Soon after, in 1934, he co-founded the School of American Ballet. This school was known for being very prestigious and became a cornerstone for training future generations of ballet dancers. In 1948, Balanchine established the New York City Ballet as one of the co-founders. The New York City Ballet became one of the most influential ballet companies in the world. Not only was he the artistic director, but there he was able to create numerous iconic works, where he was able to establish a unique style of speed and musicality in his performances. There, he was able to create his version of “The Nutcracker” and created the “Serenade” that showcased his unique style. One of his famous quotes was “See the music, hear the dance” (Como, 94). Balanchine was able to create such unique masterpieces due to his background. His mind was able to see the movements just based on the music, and that was what he was most renowned for. Balanchine was also recognized and awarded many times, one special award was the Kennedy Center Honors in 1983, for his amazing contributions to the arts. His teaching and choreography will continue to have a lasting impact on ballet. 

Balanchine directing his art. (1955)
- Steven Caras, New York

Fun Facts:

An interesting fact about George Balanchine was that he was known for collaborating with many important contemporary composers. He even worked with Igor Stravinsky, which resulted in pieces like “Apollo” and “Agon”. These two dance pieces allowed Balanchine to showcase the combination of dance with modern music and go beyond the traditional ballet boundaries. They also demonstrated how Balanchine was able to tell great stories through different movements. Another interesting fact about Balanchine was that his work also influenced fashion. His use of modern, sleek costumes inspired designers such as Christian Dior and many others, who incorporated ballet aesthetics into their lines of fashion. Balanchine wanted the costumes to focus on the dancers’ movements and techniques. The use of soft fabrics and an emphasis on the grace of ballet made these fashion trends popular among the women's population. Lastly, Balanchine not only choreographed live performances, but he also helped choreograph several films in the 1930s and 1940s. Some films were “The Goldwyn Follies” in 1938 and “On Your Toes” in 1939. His contributions helped lay the groundwork for future choreographers in film and television by creating a high-quality dance that can remain an important part of the entertainment industry. 

Balanchine is an inspiration to all ages. 
- year and photographer unknown 

Conclusion:

George Balanchine was and will always remain a vital contributor to dance productions. His love for ballet, music, and choreography was so well-connected that he left a lasting impact on the world, especially on the performers who followed in his footsteps. In his remaining years, he continued to show his passion for choreography and teaching, helping shape the next generation of dancers until his passing in 1983. The New York City Ballet continues to celebrate his legacy through his teachings and movements that will forever be passed on. As I continue to read more about Balanchine’s life, his work amazes me. The way he made his techniques unique, and that they were so great that they are used for multiple performances. I love the way that he was able to use his upbringing in his future. Music not only became a talent for him, but a livelihood, which helped to shape his career. As shown before, his talents were used for many reasons, such as films, fashion, teaching, and so much more. His name will be known not just for his famous accomplishments, but the time he took to teach others with his amazing gifts. Balanchine was truly an amazing person and used his skills wisely to leave a lasting impact on the world. 

"Choreographer Cuddle"
- 1962, New York City

Videos:      

Balanchine's choreography of The Nutcracker.

Some Facts about George Balanchine.
  

Balanchine's work enchants people. 

 

Cites: 

Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). George Balanchine. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Balanchine (2025)

EZ proxy: California State University, Long Beach. EZ Proxy | California State University, Long Beach. (n.d.). https://web-s-ebscohost-com.csulb.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=10da135e-144b-443e-b241-cceb618d7f6c%40redis+Links+to+an+external+site. (94-97)

George Balanchine. George Balanchine | New York City Ballet. (n.d.). https://www.nycballet.com/discover/our-history/george-balanchine/(2024)

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Z-library project - electronic library Z. download books free. ZLibrary. (n.d.). https://z-lib.id/