La Scala Theatre Ballet School
La Scala Theatre Ballet School, officially Scuola di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala, is one of the world’s leading classical ballet schools. It is the associate school of La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan, Italy, and is part of the theatre’s Academy for Performing Arts.
Founded in 1813 by Benedetto Ricci, it began as the Accademia di ballo of Teatro alla Scala. It later became the Royal Imperial Dance Academy of the Teatro alla Scala. In its early years the school offered two eight-year courses and was accompanied by a violinist while students trained.
Many famous dancers have led the school. Notable directors include Carlo Blasis (joined in 1838 and led for about 15 years) and Caterina Beretta (1905–1908). The school closed during World War I (1917) and reopened in 1921 under Olga Preobrajenska. Enrico Cecchetti led until his death in 1928 and recommended Cia Fornaroli as the new director. Other later directors included Ettorina Mazzucchelli, Esmée Bulnes, Elide Bonagiunta, John Field, and Anna Maria Prina. The current director of the dance department is Frédéric Olivieri.
In 1998 the school moved to a new building at Via Campo Lodigiano. It accepts students from age eight, and since 1999 has offered predance classes for children aged 6–10. That year the school also started modern and contemporary dance classes in addition to classical ballet. Students earn a Diploma after completing the program.
The school’s program is two parts: five years of common classes, followed by three years of specialization in classical or modern dance. The Italian method is the core, with Russian, French, and English methods also taught. American style classes have been added recently. The curriculum covers ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, and classical repertoire, plus contemporary and modern techniques (Limon, Graham, Cunningham). Many students perform with the Teatro alla Scala’s corps de ballet, and all students attend regular Milan schools.
The faculty teaches various subjects, including modern/contemporary dance and repertoire, history of dance, and music. Many former students have become famous dancers, such as Attilia Radice, Giuseppina Morlacchi, Teresa Legnani, Cia Fornaroli, Ettorina Mazzucchelli, Elide Bonagiunta, Carla Fracci, Luciana Savignano, Liliana Cosi, Oriella Dorella, Paola Cantalupo, Marco Pierin, Massimo Murru, Carlotta Zamparo, Sabrina Brazzo, Gilda Gelati, Marta Romagna, Roberto Bolle, Alessio Carbone, and Alessandra Ferri.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 13:06 (CET).