Nutcracker season is here, and, dancers, let’s be honest: Between class, rehearsals, fittings, and run-throughs (not to mention all of those pointe shoes ribbons to sew), we don’t have infinite free time to spend on holiday shopping. So we’re making it easy with some book recommendations for the bunheads in your life. In addition to Tiler Peck’s and Misty Copeland’s advice books, which we featured earlier this year, these four new books—three in stores now and one available for preorder—pair insightful text with gorgeous photography. They’ll add a touch of elegance to every dancer’s library.
In Balanchine’s Steps: How the George Balanchine Foundation Preserves His Genius, by Costas, Brian Rushton, Kyle Froman, and Mindy Aloff
Since 1995, the George Balanchine Foundation, which looks after the works of choreographer and New York City Ballet co-founder George Balanchine, has documented extensive video archives of coaching sessions between his former dancers and current professionals. Earlier this year, the Foundation released a new book, In Balanchine’s Steps: How the George Balanchine Foundation Preserves His Genius (Tide-Mark Press). Designed by photographer and former New York City Ballet dancer Kyle Froman, in collaboration with text editor Mindy Aloff, the book features over 250 images by photographers Costas Cacaroukas and Brian Rushton. In Balanchine’s Steps unveils more than a backstage look behind Balanchine’s creative process. It also zooms in on the relationships and people who helped keep his genius timeless. Among the iconic dancers seen on its pages are Suzanne Farrell, Alicia Markova, Arthur Mitchell, and Maria Tallchief, alongside a rare interview with the Balanchine Foundation’s video archive founder and director, Nancy Reynolds.
Martha Graham Dance Company: 100 Years, by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory
You may know Deborah Ory and Ken Browar as the artists behind NYC Dance Project, as well as their previously released photography books, The Art of Movement and The Style of Movement. What you may not know is that they’re also photographers of The Martha Graham Dance Company. For this reason, and in light of the company’s centennial anniversary, they’ve released their third book, the Martha Graham Dance Company: 100 years (Black Dog & Leventhal). Produced in collaboration with Peter Sparling and Janet Eilber, the book merges the company’s past and present with recent and archival photos, capturing 24 of Graham’s most iconic works. Alongside images, written descriptions introduce each work, detailing their costumes, set designs, and musical collaborations. Among those included are archival Halston costumes, Noguchi set designs, and photos taken by pioneers such as Barbara Morgan, Andy Warhol, Miro, Philippe Halsman, and more. The book, which won an International Photography Award for Best Book of 2025, includes an introduction by Eilber, Martha Graham Dance Company’s current artistic director.
Roberto Bolle: Dance and Fashion, by Roberto Bolle
International ballet star Roberto Bolle has served as muse to countless fashion and art photographers. They’ve seemingly documented his every footstep, whether he’s dancing on international stages, at major events, or for world leaders, not to mention modeling for magazines. Many of these images have now been compiled in a new book, Roberto Bolle: Dance and Fashion (Rizzoli New York), released in November. Suspending his artistry and fashion influence in a visual time capsule, the book features work of photographers such as Bruce Weber, Annie Leibovitz, and Mario Testino. The images are accompanied by essays by Bolle and quotes from his friends and collaborators, including Giorgio Armani, Marianela Nuñez, Alessandra Ferri, and Misty Copeland. Roberto Bolle: Dance and Fashion captures moments throughout his career—from performing with La Scala Ballet to dancing at Rome’s Colosseum to teaching class in Duomo Square and modeling for Vogue. If you’re a Bolle superfan, this is the ultimate book for you.
Infinite Steps, by Gavin Larsen and Gene Schiavone
Every dancer follows a unique path leading them to the stage and beyond. Infinite Steps (University Press of Florida), a collaboration between writer Gavin Larsen and photographer Gene Schiavone, spotlights the diverse journeys of established professionals to help empower the next generation of dancers. Pairing Schiavone’s beautiful photography with Larsen’s essays, Infinite Steps profiles 33 ballet dancers worldwide, including major stars like Misty Copeland, Skylar Brandt, and Alina Cojocaru. Some of the book’s featured artists have followed the traditional ballet-career narrative. Others have carved different paths, changing ballet culture in the process—redefining who ballet dancers are and what they can do. Infinite Steps—which will be released in March 2026 but is currently available for preorder—features dancers young and old, and from companies large and small, with a story every dancer can relate to.