The Best YouTube Channels for Classical Ballet

It has never been easier to enjoy free classical ballet performances from the comfort of home. In addition to seasonal programs, some of the world’s most prestigious ballet companies offer videos capturing rehearsals, interviews and family-friendly activities. From London to Moscow, check out the best YouTube channels for classical ballet.

Paris Opera Ballet

The Paris Opera Ballet, part of the Paris Opera, was founded in 1669 making it one of the oldest national ballet companies in the world. It has inspired the start of many other companies now located around the globe. Its repertoire embraces both romantic ballet and contemporary creations. In addition to their performances at the Palais Garnier and the Opéra Bastille, the Paris Opera Ballet also features digital performances on 3e Scène (3rd Stage). Highlights include:

3e Scène with original works by artists and creators
Classic clips from the stage, including performances by Rudolf Noureev, William Forsythe, Mikhail Fokine and Jerome Robbins, among others
World Ballet Day videos
Training clips
Performer interviews (available with English subtitles)
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American Ballet Theatre

Located in New York City, the American Ballet Theatre is revered as a living national treasure since its founding in 1939. It has commissioned works by many of the choreographic geniuses of the twentieth century, including George Balanchine, Antony Tudor, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp, among others. Each performance honors more than 80 years of innovation, diversity and dynamism in American ballet. Highlights include:

Pas de Deux, a limited, four-episode documentary series, exploring the intersection of dance and other diverse art forms with two artists that delve into each other’s process in a conversation that culminates in new creations
Back stage videos featuring a new generation of ballet dancers
ABTKids Daily with videos and activities perfect for family-friendly audiences
Moving Stories, the American Ballet Theatre’s first-ever film festival, hosted by principal dancer Misty Copeland and Emmy Award-winning producer Leyla Fayyaz, which features eight short films created by company artists
ABT Us featuring a weekly dancer spotlight
Virtual classes with ABT dancers and ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School faculty members
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Royal Ballet

Based at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, the Royal Ballet offers world-class dancers with an outstanding orchestra, as well as leading choreographers, composers, conductors, directors and creative teams. The company’s extensive repertory embraces nineteenth century classics, as well as a new canon of work from world renowned choreographers. During a typical season, the Royal Ballet welcomes more than one million people through its doors, and a further one million people enjoy their work in cinemas, at free screenings and through streamed and televised performances throughout the UK. Highlights include:

Seasonal, full-length performances with free and ticketed options
Classic footage from some of the best ballet performances staged in London
World Ballet Day videos
Rehearsal videos, including clips from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Romeo and Juliet and Sleeping Beauty
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Bolshoi Ballet

The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow has been operating for more than 200 years, and it is one of the largest ballet companies in the world. Its combines great classical traditions with ever-evolving styles. The Bolshoi Ballet celebrates its rich history with ballet legends, such as Galina Ulanova, Vladimir Vasiliev, Maya Plisetskaya and Ekaterina Maximova, and it is known for being the first ballet company to stage Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Minkus’ Don Quixote. Highlights include:

Scenes from Ticket to the Bolshoi, a film dedicated to the celebration of 180 years since the birth of P.I. Tchaikovsky; the Bolshoi Ballet explores the role it played in the life of Tchaikovsky and its deep appreciation for his work through staff conversations (available with English subtitles)
World Ballet Day videos
Steps to Success capturing the soloist N.A. Elchin Azizov with trainees from the Bolshoi Theater Opera
Exclusive interviews with artists, dancers, choreographers, directors and other theatrical figures
Footage from Alexander Vetrov’s ballet class
Clips from new ballet productions, as well as archival footage
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The Australian Ballet

For almost 60 years, the Australian Ballet has been inspiring, delighting and challenging audiences through the power of its performances. Based in Sydney, the Australian Ballet performs classical ballets and commissions new works annually. It typically presents more than 250 shows and 1,700 educational and audience engagement events each year. In addition to 80 dancers, the Australian Ballet employs master craftspeople and leaders in injury prevention, dance education, marketing and philanthropy, as well as an orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, with more than 60 musicians. This year is David Hallberg’s inaugural season as artistic director and will offer plenty of digital performances, including much-loved story ballets, twentieth century classics and exciting new works. They offer a new At Home with Ballet TV digital season, which features premium-quality productions online for free. Highlights include:

Cinema-quality, full-length performances (each with a limited run)
A New Era with 2021 season previews
Dancing with David featuring ballet exercises with director David McAllister
World Ballet Day videos
Meet the Team with exclusive interviews
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