Known for superior education and artistic training, Juilliard offers an intensive four-year dance program designed to make knowledgeable and experienced modern dancers, with equal training in classical ballet, as well as modern techniques. Juilliard's instruction requires both classical ballet and modern classes in each semester of the four-year dance program. Juilliard also requires acting classes, composition, anatomy and repertory classes to thoroughly educate the contemporary dancer.
Classical ballet is given primary importance at Juilliard. The formalities of classical ballet are based in technique and rules, and according to Dance and Dance, "Everything is turned-out, when the feet are not on the floor, they're pointed and when the leg is not bent, it's stretched completely." Juilliard aims to educate dancers in ballet from the ground up, incorporating basic and advanced techniques, as well as Italian, Russian and French repertory styles.
Pas de Duex, or step of two, is a classical partnering style taught at Juilliard, and according to The-Ballet site, "By dancing with a partner, the lady can jump higher, take positions she would never be able to on her own, and "float" about the stage as she is carried by her partner." This partnering also allows a man to extend his line and show off his strength. Pointe is the classical ballet style of dancing on the toes, requiring strength in both the feet and legs.
Contemporary, or modern, dance is intensively studied at Juilliard as well. Since most modern styles have their roots in ballet, contemporary styles, such as jazz, tap and expressive dancing are part of the total curriculum. Contemporary ballet is incorporated in Juilliard's modern program, and is a form influenced by both classical ballet and modern dance. Modern ballet allows a greater range of movements, taking techniques from classical ballet and ideas from modern dance. One of the dancers who best illustrates the modern ballet style is Mikhail Baryshnikov.