Maestro Enrico Cecchetti
The Cecchetti Council of America is an organization dedicated to maintaining the standards and method of ballet training established by Cav. Enrico Cecchetti. The organization uses his teaching and writings in a sequence of grades, carefully measured as to degree of difficulty and physical development, and provides a system of accredited examinations to test the student’s proficiency within those grades.
Composed exclusively of teachers of ballet, the Council operates on Interdependent levels: regional committee, examiner, member teacher, and the Examining and Executive Boards. With this framework, the Council is able to administer and advise its committee areas, establish criteria for teacher participation, and ensure student progress. The Council works to develop informed teaching practices.
Established in 1939…
Begun in 1939 as a committee of the Dancing Masters of Michigan, the CCA based its syllabi on those of the Cecchetti Society Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London, England. Thus from the beginning, friendship and cooperation have characterized the relationship between the two Cecchetti organizations. At the time of its incorporation as a nonprofit educational association in 1951, the Council was the first in the United States to adopt a uniform system of teaching and examinations. Since that time the CCA has developed outstanding teachers as well as students who have danced professionally in ballet companies across the world. The CCA has joined other Cecchetti organizations from Cecchetti Societies of Australia, Canada, Southern Africa, U.S.A. Inc., and Danzare Cecchetti – ANCEC Italy. As a part of this new global network, the Council continues to ensure quality standards in classical ballet training.
The Principal Objective…
The principal objective of the Cecchetti Council has always been to raise the quality of ballet teaching. This requires consistent attitudes of self-improvement and professional integrity on the part of each member teacher. The Council provides continuing educational opportunities through publications, refresher courses, and ballet conferences. The Council’s activities encompass five regions of the United States which are represented by eighteen committees. Committees are also established in Haiti, Jamaica, and Canada.
