Why Ashton’s Cinderella Variation Is SO Hard | Alina Cojocaru Ballet Breakdown

Why does Cinderella's variation fly under the radar when it's one of the hardest solos in ballet? In this Ballet Deconstructed breakdown, I'm analyzing Alina Cojocaru's stunning performance of Frederick Ashton's Cinderella variation with The Royal Ballet. You'll discover why this seemingly simple solo is so technically challenging and why it's so under appreciated, and what makes Alina's interpretation world-class. If you love ballet or want to understand what separates good from great dancing, this deep dive is for you!

Watch the full variation:    • Alina Cojocaru as Cinderella (cor. Ashton)  

About Frederick Ashton's Cinderella:
Created in 1948, Ashton's Cinderella is a masterpiece of storytelling through dance. Unlike the flashier variations that get all the attention (looking at you, Black Swan!), this solo requires absolute mastery of the basics - and that's what makes it so difficult and so under appreciated. The score is written by Sergei Prokofiev.

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Welcome to a world where ballet isn’t something you have to train for - it’s something you can live. I’m Kathryn Morgan, former New York City Ballet soloist, entrepreneur, and your guide to a more elegant, intentional, ballet-inspired life.

For over a decade, my subscribers have trusted me to translate the beauty, discipline, and storytelling of ballet into everyday inspiration. I’m not here to be your technique teacher - I translate 20 years of professional ballet elegance into accessible beauty, lifestyle, and cultural content for sophisticated women who value timeless grace over fleeting trends. I’m here to bring ballet to you, and then bring you into ballet through honest insights, real stories, and a lifetime of experience both onstage and off.

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0:00 Intro
0:18 Cinderella Flies Under the Radar
0:56 Fredrick Ashton’s Choreography
1:17 It’s Never Done Out of Context
1:59 There is No Grand Pas
2:33 Solo Opening
4:15 Ashton Loves a Roll Down
6:06 So Much Control
7:04 Ashton is so Musical
7:53 Hops on Pointe
8:28 The Hardest Step
11:01 What Makes This Turn So Hard
11:43 Switching Time
12:53 Alina’s Beautiful Coordination
13:42 Alina’s Shoes & Port de Bras
14:42 Simplicity at it’s Finest
15:10 The Double Menage
19:00 The Full Variation
21:15 Wrap Up