Expert: Connie - 12/16/2006

Question
I've been taking dance since I was 2 years old and I learned my 5 ballet positions at that age.  Now I'm 13 and go to a good dance school with a great teacher that used to be a prima ballerina with the New York City Ballet.  She has been teaching for 53 years and recieved numerous awards.  Recently, my friend started dance, including ballet, for the fist time.  She told me that her teacher said there are 6 ballet positions, all the ones I know plus parallel.  She says it just isn't used as often.  I've never heard this and don't believe it because ballet is always turned out.  She insists on this but although I don't know her teacher, I don't think she has the experience or training of mine.  I hope I don't sound like a snob, but I trust my teacher more.  But still, I was wondering if what her teacher said could be true.

Answer
Well, first of all, there is more than one way to teach ballet.  There are Russian Syllabuses, Italian syllabuses, Balanchine's style etc.  Each style can train a good dancer with a different background.  Some methods do have six positions, and some just have five.  Really, you don't need the sixth position, many just say "stand parallel."  You are correct; in class most steps are almost always turned out.  However, in choreography you may need to keep your feet parallel, and so the choreographer may use sixth position.  I wouldn't worry over who's right.  What her teacher said could be true, but your teacher's way of teaching is correct too.  If this is really bothering you, ask you teacher about it.