This project aims to investigate expertise development in classical ballet by integrating semi-structured interviews, motion analysis, and respiratory measurement. In fiscal year 2025, the research primarily focused on factors related to expertise and expressive performance in ballet.

First, semi-structured interviews were conducted with highly experienced dancers in order to explore the mental, technical, and artistic elements considered essential for achieving expertise. In addition, interview-based investigations were conducted with instructors affiliated with internationally recognized ballet companies. These interviews focused particularly on the concept of musicality in ballet, examining how teachers understand, evaluate, and cultivate musical expression in dancers. The findings provided insights into pedagogical perspectives on rhythm, phrasing, and the relationship between movement and music, and contributed to the generation of hypotheses for future empirical research.

Furthermore, a kinematic analysis of fundamental ballet movements was performed to examine differences in movement trajectories under two rhythmic conditions: movements performed in synchronization with music and those performed in synchronization with a metronome. This analysis allowed us to investigate how different rhythmic environments influence the organization of movement.

Finally, respiratory measurements were conducted with professional ballet dancers to investigate how breathing patterns change through practice and how breathing becomes coordinated with movement during performance. This analysis aimed to clarify the role of breathing in the movement control and expressive qualities of ballet movement.

Overall, these studies provided foundational insights into expertise, musicality, and the coordination between breathing and movement in ballet performance. The knowledge obtained through this project will serve as preliminary data for designing experimental protocols in a future Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research proposal.