only to the most exceptional female soloists. Women More or less, depending on the source, the rankings for women—from highest to lowest—used to be: Prima ballerina, or Men For men, the ranks were: Today Ballet companies continue to rank their dancers in hierarchical fashion, although most have adopted a gender neutral classification system. In most large companies, there are usually several leading dancers of each gender, titled principal dancer or étoile to reflect their seniority, and more often, their status within the company. The most common rankings (in English) are: Principal dancer Soloist (or First soloist) Demi-soloist (or Second soloist) First Artist Corps de ballet (or Artist) Apprentice (or Junior Company/Young Dancers programme) Some ballet companies also run a separate company for their youngest recruits. Such is the case with the Dutch National Ballet which has launched the Junior Company, which at times also tours and performs separately. The UK-based Royal Ballet runs the Aud Jebsen Young Dancers Programme. Dancers who are identified as a guest artist are usually those who have achieved a high rank with their home company, and have subsequently been engaged to dance with other ballet companies around the world, normally performing the lead role. They are usually principal dancers or soloists with their home company, but given the title of Guest Artist when performing with another company. Well known guests artists include Marianela Nunez and Kathryn Morgan. Prima ballerina assoluta The title or rank of was originally inspired by the Italian ballet masters of the early Romantic ballet and was bestowed on a ballerina who was considered to be exceptionally talented, above the standard of other leading ballerinas. The title is very rarely used today and recent uses have typically been symbolic, in recognition of a notable career and as a result, it is commonly viewed as an honour rather than an active rank. See also Italian ballet Russian ballet Western stereotype of the male ballet dancer List of dancers Women in dance References External links Dancer