Benefits of Virtual Reality in Ballet Didactics

The paper presents a holistic approach, merging technology with the rich artistry of ballet, to innovate and redefine ballet education. The project extends to the broader realm of education, particularly ballet. The international research team will explore how cognitive skills related to body-kinesthetic and musical intelligence can be enhanced using 3D spatial context technologies. In this pilot study paper, a preliminary investigation is presented leveraging motion-tracking analytics to discern the nuances across distinct ballet exercise intensities. This inquiry serves as a foundational step toward the formulation of an intricate 3D VR ballet curriculum. The ultimate goal of the project is to generate a virtual animated character that can give visual information and can interact in real-time with a real dancer, thereby supporting the dance learning process. During this preliminary study, participants' kinesthetic motions were meticulously captured and scrutinized. Initial findings from this user study ascertain that a 3D VR environment equipped with motion-tracking analytics distinctly enhances the acquisition of ballet movements and can serve as an efficacious tool underpinning the VR framework of ballet education.