Art of Teaching Classical Ballet

A ballet-master of many years’ experience, Woytek Lowski was uniquely

qualified in the art of teaching classical ballet to both students and

professionals, in class and in rehearsal. Participants in his classes have

included such outstanding international dancers as Mikhail Baryshnikov,

Natalia Makarova, Gelsey Kirkland, Anthony Dowell and Sylvie Guillem.

The Art of Teaching Classical Ballet passes on Lowski’s considerable expertise on

all aspects of teaching classical ballet. After detailed observation and analysis

of classwork and ballet technique, Lowski goes on to assess the general

purpose of classwork, the responsibilities of both teachers and students, and

gives helpful, often humorous advice for the student. He also considers the

problems that the aspiring student is likely to encounter on entering the dance

profession, such as the demands of adapting to different dance styles and

traditions, stage fright, and diet. Finally, a sample class for advanced students

is given in full.

More than just a teaching manual, The Art of Teaching Classical Ballet goes

considerably beyond the technical aspects of ballet, and provides a muchneeded

link between the worlds of the aspiring student and the professional

dancer. It will prove to be an invaluable all-round guide for teachers, students

and performers of classical ballet.

Woytek Lowski studied at the Warsaw Ballet School and at the Vaganova

Choreographic School in Leningrad. He joined the Warsaw Opera Ballet in

1958, and in 1964 won the silver medal at the Varna International Ballet

Competition. From 1966-71 he danced with Maurice Béjart’s Ballet of the

Twentieth Century, creating roles in Béjart’s Romeo and Juliet, Baudelaire, and

Actus Tragicus, amongst others. After appearing with Tanz-Forum in Cologne

and the Ballet de Marseille, he became a premier danseur at the Boston Ballet,

1973-79. Later he held the post of ballet-master at American Ballet Theatre,

the Royal Ballet of Flanders, and English National Ballet, and taught widely

in countries all over the world. After his death in 1995, the Woytek Lowski Foundation was set up in Poland to help aspiring young dancers.