Welcome to the Cecchetti of Society of Southern Africa
The Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa, founded in 1928, is affiliated to the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, London and is constituted as a society, not for gain.
The Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa is a Founding Corporate Member of Cecchetti International Classical Ballet (CICB) and is committed to upholding CICB’s mission statement of improving the professional profile of Cecchetti and the Cecchetti method of training.
Cecchetti teachers in South Africa have produced several fine dancers, many of whom have performed internationally. Many of its teachers travel the world propagating the Maestro’s work.
To Dance
Dance training, whether for the purpose of preparing the professional or for the sheer joy of organised movement, has an unprecedented place in our society.
Stimulated by music, dance is a language whose words are movements of the body in time and space. The traditional Classical Ballet evolved from the Romantic Movement with Maestro Cecchetti at the centre of its pedagogical development. The Cecchetti style, in its school of bravura, virtuosity and strength, offers a musicality which is so important in the dynamics of Ballet Technique.
Dedicated teachers around the country, contribute to the wellbeing and prosperity of the Cecchetti Society of Southern Africa.
What is the Cecchetti method of training?
The Cecchetti Method is a system of training in Classical Ballet designed strictly upon the laws of anatomy and stresses two essential ingredients – technical and artistic development in a dancer and a sensitive, musical response to all movements.
Cecchetti devised a balanced programme of study which ensures that every movement and step of repertoire required by the Dancer, is covered. It is an exact and meticulous system drawn up with careful regard for the laws of anatomy and is designed to furnish the body with all those qualities essential to the dancer.
MAESTRO ENRICO CECCHETTI
Enrico Cecchetti was born on 21 June 1850 in a dressing room of the Tordinona Theatre in Rome, Italy. He was the son of dancing parents and is famed as a brilliant virtuoso dancer, an expert mime artist and the greatest teacher of his time – best known for his contributions to the Classical Technique.
During a dancing career spanning more than 30 years, Enrico Cecchetti performed extensively in countries such as the United States, England, Denmark, Norway, Germany and Russia. He created the dual roles of Carabosse and the Bluebird in “The Sleeping Beauty” and was considered to have revolutionised the image of the male dancer in Russia in the last two decades of the nineteenth century.
Cecchetti International Classical Ballet
Cecchetti International Classical Ballet (CICB) is a legal non-profit entity, incorporated in Canada on 2 July 2004.
Mission Statement
- Foster the development of the Method.
- Develop training for the future.
- Keep alive the essence of the Method’s historical tradition.
- Raise the profile of the Method world-wide.
- Encourage the profession and the art of dance by the interaction between members and the international dance profession.
- Enhance the status of dance in the context of the arts and education
This website is a work in progress. Should you have more information to contribute please contact Elesia Ceronio (elesiaceronio@gmail.com).