Just like in any other company, a ballet company has a hierarchy. What level of the hierarchy you are on is a direct measure of your skill as a dancer (at least in the style and look the company you’re in is going for). Progressing through a company is also very difficult because of the stiff competition and little room for expansion. Here’s a basic rundown of the hierarchy of a ballet company.

The lowest level of a ballet company is the corps de ballet. This is the largest group, and many dancers spend their entire careers at this level. The corps is a group predominately comprised of female dancers who always dance together, as part of a large group. This level also has a higher sub-level in the form of coryphees. These dancers are still members of the corps de ballet, but they often dance in smaller groups or even by themselves.

The next level is the soloists. These people are not in the corps, and therefore dance by themselves. They usually dance smaller lead parts, while the principles, the next highest level, get the largest roles. These principles are the highest dancing members of a company, and has an equal number of males and females.

The highest position in a dance company isn’t that of a dancer, but rather that of an artistic director. This person is largely responsible for training the dancers and putting on the shows. They often choreograph the shows as well.

At the American Youth Ballet, the company I dance in, the hierarchy isn’t necessarily this set in stone. We’re a very small company, so everyone, even the people who would be considered principles, have to be in the corps. Ignoring this, I would probably be considered a soloist along with one or two other people. I hope to one day make it to “principle” status, but that day is probably a while off yet.