Whether you're warming up at the barre, refining technique, or crafting a contemporary piece, the right music sets the tone. Here’s a curated selection of timeless classics and fresh modern tracks beloved by dancers and choreographers.
Classical Ballet Essentials
"Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20"
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The epitome of ballet music—perfect for adagio, grand allegro, and storytelling choreography.
The "White Swan" variation remains a barre staple.
Adagio
Narrative
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"Giselle (Act II)"
Adolphe Adam
Ethereal and haunting, ideal for pointe work and ghostly contemporary adaptations.
The Wilis' scenes inspire fluid, weighted movement.
Pointe
Atmospheric
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"The Nutcracker: Waltz of the Flowers"
Tchaikovsky
A joyful, rhythmic choice for petit allegro and ensemble choreography.
The harp cadenzas add dynamic contrast.
Allegro
Ensemble
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Modern & Contemporary Picks
"Experience"
Ludovico Einaudi
A minimalist masterpiece for lyrical contemporary or improvisation.
Builds from delicate piano to soaring strings—great for emotional arcs.
Lyrical
Minimalist
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"Breathe Me" (Reimagined)
Sia, arr. by Vitamin String Quartet
A haunting string cover that works beautifully for intimate solos or pas de deux.
The crescendo is choreography gold.
Pas de Deux
Emotional
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"Runaway"
Aurora
Ethereal vocals and pulsing beats create a dreamlike quality, ideal for avant-garde or
neoclassical pieces with a raw edge.
Avant-Garde
Neoclassical
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Barre & Technique Favorites
"Gnossienne No. 1"
Erik Satie
Hypnotic and unhurried—perfect for pliés and slow tendus.
The lack of a strict meter encourages breath-centered movement.
Barre
Fluid
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"Clair de Lune" (Ballet Arrangement)
Claude Debussy
A go-to for frappés and fondus. The cascading arpeggios mirror the precision of footwork.
Footwork
Delicate
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"Piano Concerto No. 2: Allegro"
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Powerful and driving for grand battements or center allegro.
The Russian romanticism adds drama to jumps.
Allegro
Dramatic
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