WEBSITE
cecchettiballet.org
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Chairperson: Anne Butler and State Representative
HISTORY
Italian-born Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) had an illustrious career as a dancer at La Scala in Milan and the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia, and an equally eminent teaching career. Among his pupils were Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky. In the early 1920s, he created his own method of teaching with professional dancers of that era.
His method was codified in 1922, and it is the foundation of the method taught by Cecchetti organisations throughout the world today. The Cecchetti Society was established in Australia in 1934 with the arrival of Madam Lucie Saronova, a student of Cecchetti. Now known as Cecchetti Ballet Australia, we became a founder member of Cecchetti International - Classical Ballet in 1997.
STYLES/GENRE
Classical Ballet
GRADING/MARKING SYSTEM
Two streams to meet the needs of recreational and professional dancers. Recreational: Pre-Primary-Grade 6, Dance Spectrum 1 & 2. Professional: Intermediate, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
Cecchetti offers teaching qualifications at Associate Diploma, Licentiate, Licentiate Diploma and Fellowship levels.
The nationally recognised qualification of CUA40320 Certificate IV in Dance Teaching and Management, delivered in partnership with Dance Training Organisation (DTO) RTO 45789
COMPETITIONS and AWARDS
The triennial CICB competition rotates among CICB countries. The biennial $10,000 Valrene Tweedie Scholarship supports young dancers. State Enrico Cecchetti Medal Awards culminate in the National Lucie Saronova Memorial Awards for medals and cash prizes.
Robyn Ross – F.C.B.A – C.I.C.B
Examiner, Life Member, Enrico Cecchetti Diploma Holder, RAD Teaching Cert, Accredited Trainer
In your view, what makes your syllabus distinctive compared to others?
The Cecchetti ballet syllabus is cherished for its warmth, clarity, and beautifully structured approach to classical training. The grades’ syllabi have been methodically and meticulously planned to build skills from one grade to the next, developing into the major syllabi created by the legendary Enrico Cecchetti. This steady, reliable structure helps dancers build strength, confidence, and balance in a way that feels both supportive and inspiring. One of the loveliest qualities of the Cecchetti method is its focus on clean, classical lines and movement that feels honest and uncomplicated. Rather than pushing for showiness, it encourages dancers to find beauty in precision, ease, and well-placed technique. Coordination is also a signature feature: the gentle shaping of the head, arms, and torso is woven into the movement, helping dancers develop expressive yet harmonious artistry. The syllabus’ eight unique port de bras offer dancers a chance to explore fluidity and strength through the upper body, while its emphasis on musicality invites them to dance with feeling—responding not just to counts, but to phrasing and dynamic nuance. Underlying it all is a commitment to understanding. Cecchetti dancers learn the “why” behind the steps, fostering thoughtful, well-rounded artists who move with clarity, poise, and a quiet sense of joy.
How is your syllabus preparing dancers for the future of the artform and the profession?
The Cecchetti syllabus prepares dancers for the future by building a foundation that is both technically strong and remarkably adaptable. Its structured, progressive approach ensures that dancers develop clear placement, balanced strength, and reliable coordination—skills that translate easily into any style or professional environment they may encounter. By emphasising clean classical technique rather than extreme or trend-driven aesthetics, Cecchetti training gives dancers long-term physical sustainability, helping them move with efficiency and reducing the risk of injury as careers evolve. A defining feature of the method is its focus on musicality, artistry, and expressive épaulement. These qualities nurture dancers who are not only technically capable but also sensitive, musical performers—attributes increasingly valued across contemporary, commercial, and classical work. The syllabus also demands strong theoretical understanding, giving dancers the vocabulary, spatial awareness, and critical thinking skills needed to learn choreography quickly and communicate clearly in rehearsals. Because the Cecchetti system develops both discipline and versatility, dancers emerge with the confidence to adapt to new movement languages and the resilience to meet modern professional demands. In essence, Cecchetti training shapes thoughtful, well-rounded artists equipped for a wide range of future opportunities, both on stage and beyond it.
What do you see as the real value of syllabus training and exams for young dancers?
Syllabus training and exams offer young dancers far more than steps and certificates — they create a nurturing path for growth. Working through a structured syllabus gives children clear goals and a sense of steady progress, helping them build confidence as each new skill becomes achievable. Exams, when approached with encouragement and care, become moments of celebration rather than pressure. They teach dancers how to prepare, focus, and perform with pride, all within a supportive environment.