What You'll Learn
- Master the nuances of épaulement to add professional dimension and polish to your barre work.
- Coordinate head movement and eyeline to improve balance and artistic expression.
- Refine body alignment in various directions, including croisé and effacé positions.
- Execute clean transitions in complex battement, fondu, and grand battement sequences.
- Learn to maintain a stable core and avoid overcrossing during port de bras and tendu.
About This Video
Step into the studio with Broche Ballet for an intensive 45-minute advanced barre session that prioritizes the sophisticated details of classical dance. This class is specifically structured to help dancers transition from simply executing steps to performing them with professional-level artistry. The primary focus of this practice is épaulement—the subtle use of the head, neck, and shoulders—and how it interacts with the lower body to create beautiful, dynamic lines.
Throughout the class, you will work through a full barre sequence, starting with warming the feet and moving into complex battement tendu and battement dégagé combinations. The instructor places a high priority on body angling, teaching you how to correctly position yourself in croisé and effacé to maximize the visual impact of your technique. You will learn the importance of 'eyeline' and how precise head coordination can actually assist with your balance and stability during difficult transitions.
Rather than rotating the torso, we focus on the subtle shift of the shoulders that defines true classical style. Advanced concepts covered include the proper execution of grand battement, ensuring the movement is crisp and powerful without sacrificing the alignment of the hips or the fluidity of the port de bras. We also address common mistakes, such as overcrossing the hands and arms during tendu sequences, which can disrupt the dancer's squareness and overall aesthetic.
By focusing on the 'brush' through the floor and the extension into arabesque, you will develop a stronger sense of floor pressure and leg length. As you move through sequences involving passé and sous-sus, the class emphasizes the connection between the core and the extremities. This isn't just a physical workout; it is a mental exercise in precision.
By the end of this session, you will have a deeper understanding of how to integrate head movement and body direction into every step, resulting in a more cohesive and professional performance.
