Classical ballets are known throughout the world.  They are performed and viewed worldwide.  Though they might be danced differently from company to company, depending on what the dancer is capable of doing.  Classical ballets usually tell a story and are very dramatic.  They contain very strict and precise movements.  A lead ballerina, crops de ballet, and soloists are what ballets are made up of.  Classical ballets were the first type of ballets ever created.  A few classical ballets include; "Swan Lake", "Giselle", "Coppélia", and "The Sleeping Beauty".

Contemporary ballets, also known as Modern ballets, are more “new aged”.  New choreographers are thinking up new outrageous way to have a dancer’s body move.  Most contemporary ballets do not follow a story board.  In a modern ballet it’s all about the movements, the way choreographers want your legs and upper body to flow.

George Balanchine was perhaps one of the most famous choreographers of all time.  His ballets are performed all over the U.S.  His choreographies were classified as “neoclassical” ballets.  His masterpieces are unlike any other.  In his 79 years of life he has choreographed over four hundred twenty-five ballets, so many that he earned his own category, his ballets are known as “Balanchine Ballets”.  He choreographed both short ballet pieces and full-length story ballets.  Mr. Balanchine was one of the first neoclassical choreographers.  At first, modern ballets were not accepted into society, but now are just as famous as some classical ones.  George was born and raised in Europe, then later came to the U.S. in late 1933.  In 1935 he and Kirstein opened The School Of American Ballet, one of the most famous schools in ballet history.  Mr. Balanchine died at the age of 79 but his works of art and school are still running and remembered.  Balanchine's most famous ballets include; "Jewels", "Serenade", "Who Cares?", "Firebird", "Appollo", "Argon", "Stars and Stripes", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Harlequinade", and "Don Quixote".

Story Ballets are a type of Classical ballet, they follow a strict story board.  They are full-length ballets that can last up to three or four hours long.  They contain many performers, and take months to rehearse and stage.  Story ballets were the most common and well known ballets.  They are performed all over the world.  They are also the oldest type of ballet.  Some common story ballets are "Romeo and Juliet", "The Sleeping Beauty", "Firebird", "Coppélia", "The Nutcracker", and "Giselle".