A Legacy of Excellence
The Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to preserving, maintaining, and advancing the standards of classical ballet training established by Cavalier Enrico Cecchetti. Through a carefully structured system of education, mentorship, and examinations, the CCA upholds the integrity of the Cecchetti Method while supporting excellence in ballet teaching and learning throughout the United States.
Founded in 1951, the Cecchetti Council of America was the first organization in the United States to adopt a uniform system of classical ballet teaching and accredited examinations. Built upon Maestro Cecchetti’s teachings and writings, the method is presented in a sequence of grades thoughtfully measured for both technical difficulty and physical development. This structured approach ensures clarity, consistency, and safe progression for dancers at every stage of training.
For more than seven decades, the CCA has developed outstanding teachers and dancers, many of whom have gone on to professional careers in ballet companies around the world. The Council’s work continues to honor tradition while supporting the evolving needs of dance education.
Mission
The mission of the Cecchetti Council of America is to maintain the standards and method of classical ballet training established by Cavalier Enrico Cecchetti. The CCA provides mentored education for teachers that includes historical study, anatomical understanding, and musical training, along with a comprehensive system of sequential examinations for both teachers and students.
Purpose and Commitment
The principal objective of the Cecchetti Council of America has always been to raise the quality of ballet teaching. This commitment requires professional integrity, consistency, and a shared dedication to lifelong learning among its member teachers. As an educational organization, the CCA mentors and supports its members with the goal of strengthening classical ballet training nationwide.
Education, Examination, and Professional Growth
The CCA supports its members through:
- A structured, accredited examination system assessing knowledge, proficiency, and artistic quality for teachers and students
- High-quality educational and reference materials rooted in the Cecchetti Method
- Ongoing education in anatomy, physiology, and best practices in dance training
- Seminars, refresher courses, workshops, and national ballet conferences
- Professional examiners who uphold consistency and high standards
- Performance, workshop, and intensive opportunities for students
- Scholarships and pre-professional opportunities, including participation in the CICB International Ballet Competition
- Collaboration with international Cecchetti organizations through membership in the Cecchetti International Classical Ballet Organization
Honoring Our Founders
The Cecchetti Council of America was shaped by the vision and devotion of its Charter Board, whose steadfast commitment to the Cecchetti Method continues to inspire our work today. Their legacy lives on in the countless teachers and dancers who carry this tradition forward:
Jack Bickle, Sylvia Hamer, Gertrude Edwards-Jory, Jane Caryl Miller, Phyllis Peterson-Thorne, Virgiline Simmons, Olga Fricker, Marjorie Hassard, Leona Lucas, Chula (Harriet) Morrow, Enid Ricardeau, Theodore Smith
The Cecchetti Council of America remains committed to preserving a living classical tradition—supporting teachers, inspiring dancers, and advancing the art of ballet through clarity, integrity, and education.