Ecole de Danse de l'Opera National de Paris todayToday the school houses 120 students meticulously picked for their health, natural thinness, light jump, high instep, flexibility and beautifully proportioned bodies. The lucky bunch enjoys first class education, which is free of charge for French citizens and dream like facilities - spacious dance studios, a theater, cafeteria and sleeping quarters for out of town students.
Children are up at 6:45 am and after regular classes in the morning they break for lunch to resume specialized curriculum in the afternoon. Besides daily ballet class, students learn modern dance, jazz, character, pas de deux, mime, drama and music. Such fabulous education comes at a price. Rigid elimination process takes place after each annual exam and the school is no stranger to allegations of harsh treatment of its students. What is certain however, is that a corps of teachers, themselves former dancers of Paris Opera, demand from their students self-discipline and total dedication to the chosen profession, qualities that would serve them well when they join professional ballet companies. Most students dream of joining Opera de Paris, but only one or two graduate is selected each year.
Born from court ceremonies of the French kings, the French School of ballet is distinguished for its clean footwork, beautiful lines and noble reserve. In 2013
Ecole de Danse de l'Opera National de Paris will celebrate its 300 year anniversary.
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