On July 9, the “Ailian Ballet Day” event for the 4th Ailian International Youth Ballet Competition took place as scheduled. The presence of numerous international ballet masters transformed the event into a grand celebration of cross-cultural ballet exchange.

For the first time, this year’s “Ailian Ballet Day” featured opportunities to observe classes and rehearsals led by professional dancers from the China National Ballet, providing young ballet enthusiasts with a platform to experience professional ballet art up close.

The exciting activities—including charity masterclasses by internationally renowned ballet artists and immersive observations of the Central Ballet Company’s rehearsals—left the children filled with joy and new insights, allowing the young competitors to experience the diverse charms of ballet on the eve of their intense competition.

During their observation and study visit to the China National Ballet, the contestants immersed themselves in the professional training environment of the ballet art: they experienced the rigorous and precise teaching style in a master class led by Christoph Nowogrodzki, Artistic Director of the Stuttgart Ballet and a renowned ballet master; during the performance of excerpts from *The Spirit of the Crane*, they witnessed firsthand the meticulous refinement and nuance that go into this classic work, gaining an appreciation for the daily dedication and artistic refinement that take place behind the scenes.

Through this event, the young dancers gained a firsthand understanding of ballet technique and artistic expression. In a professional setting, they deepened their appreciation of ballet, received profound artistic enrichment, and gained new motivation for their journey in ballet.

Peggy Dussault, a former ballet dancer with the Paris Opera Ballet and instructor, began the day’s class with a warm-up, setting the tone with elegance and precision. Her explanations of each movement were precise and thorough, guiding students to feel how every muscle in their bodies works together to generate power. Under her guidance, the students gradually opened up their bodies.

The class led by Mr. Kenta Kura, Principal of Japan’s K Ballet School, was even more meticulous. Throughout the lesson, he placed particular emphasis on using breath to connect each dance movement, thereby driving the rhythm of the entire body.

In the class led by Mr. Christoph Nowogrodzki—Production Director of the Stuttgart Ballet, ballet master, and Manager of the John Cranko Foundation—the combinations he presented were imbued with the rationality and power characteristic of German ballet, featuring choreography that was both compact and logically structured.

Mr. Edwin Levazov, Principal Dancer of the Hamburg Ballet and Artistic Director and Choreographer of the Hamburg Chamber Ballet, adapts his teaching methods and the difficulty level based on the students’ actual performance, ensuring that every student achieves the greatest possible improvement within their own capabilities.