What You'll Learn
- Refine your pas de bourrée and tombé transitions for better flow.
- Improve balance and stability during center adagio and relevé.
- Develop pirouette technique with a focus on high passé and controlled landings.
- Execute a fluid waltz sequence incorporating chassé and balancé.
- Master the art of the ballet bow and curtsy with proper performance etiquette.
About This Video
Welcome to a focused 'Just the Center' session with Julie at Broche Ballet. This 15-minute practice is designed for dancers of all levels who want to maximize their training time away from the barre. Center work is the heart of ballet, where we test our balance, coordination, and strength without the support of the horizontal rail. In this session, Julie guides you through a sequence that builds from foundational movements to dynamic traveling steps and turns.
We begin with focused tendu and adagio exercises to establish your center of gravity and find length through the limbs. Stability is a key theme throughout this class; Julie emphasizes finding complete stillness during a relevé or plié, ensuring you are fully over your supporting leg before moving to the next position. You will work through transitions like the tombé and pas de bourrée, learning how to connect individual steps into fluid phrases. This flow is essential for the waltz section, where we combine chassé and balancé movements with proper épaulement.
Turning technique is also a primary focus. Julie provides expert cues for pirouettes, encouraging dancers to find their high passé position. Whether you are practicing single rotations or challenging yourself with doubles, the emphasis remains on a clean preparation and a controlled landing. Falling out of a turn is part of the learning process, and this class provides a safe, supportive environment to push your technical boundaries.
Finally, the lesson concludes with a unique look at performance etiquette. Knowing how to accept applause and execute a proper bow or curtsy is an essential skill for any dancer. Julie demonstrates the nuanced movements of the arms and head that convey gratitude and grace. By the end of this 15-minute session, you will feel more grounded, confident in your turns, and ready to take center stage.
