The male dancer and Bournonville

As a respected dancer himself, Bournonville did much to promote the position of the male dancer. Kobborg describes how Bournonville reimagined partnering in which the male was no longer hidden behind the female for support. Instead, the two danced side by side, executing the same steps at the same time, something Kobborg considers "uniquely Bournonville". One of the reasons that many men consider it so fulfilling to perform in Bournonville ballets is "because you are as important as your female counterpart". Kobborg considers James, the male protagonist of La Sylphide, to be one of the most demanding and exciting roles in the Bournonville repertoire, saying it's a part "that you don't get tired of performing, as with the best ballets, you can evolve your interpretation because there is room for growth".

In addition to the ballets themselves, Bournonville training is particularly well suited to preparing strong male dancers. In contrast to other styles, men trained in Bournonville don't use their arms to propel themselves through space while performing large leaps, nor are they taught to show any effort, but "we are expected to jump just as high", says Kobborg. That strength, he concludes, "must be found somewhere else, in your legs and in your upper body", creating a solid foundation that builds strength and ease.

Today, both men and women can benefit from Bournonville's training while offering their own unique contributions to his 19th-century choreography through their own interpretations and small adjustments that combine the best of old- and new-world approaches.