The Vaganova method is a famous way of teaching classical ballet. It was created by Agrippina Vaganova. The style fuses French, Russian, an Italian dance methods together. Vaganova was a student at the Imperial Ballet School and she graduated in 1897 to dance professionally. She retired from dancing in 1916 to start teaching dance. Her teaching soon became known as the Vaganova method. She trained some of the most famous dancers in history. She taught for 30 years. In 1948, Vaganova wrote a book titled "The Foundation For Dance" teaching people how to properly teach ballet. She trained George Balanchine, who later created he Balanchine method. In 1957, the school she went to was renamed the Vaganova Ballet Academy in recognition of Vaganova. The Vaganova Method is now the most famous method in Russia. It is also very popular in Europe and North America. The Vaganova method is though to be very precise and sharp and clean with little hints that suggest softness.