What You'll Learn
- Master the pas de basque with jeté using precise Achilles-level placement for better transitions.
- Improve fouetté turns by utilizing shoulder drive for rotational power on down turns.
- Execute high-arm pirouettes with controlled landings and intentional arm placement.
- Maintain proper alignment in quasi positions during complex arm and direction changes.
- Refine musicality and fluidity in jumpy connector steps like pas de bourrée and tombé.
About This Video
Welcome to a deep dive into the artistry and athleticism of advanced ballet center work. In this 26-minute session with Broche Ballet, we tackle the challenge of long, complex combinations that demand both physical stamina and mental agility. The core focus of this class is not just the big steps, but the intricate connector steps that bridge them—the jumpy, dancey movements that give a performance its fluid, professional quality.
We begin by dissecting a demanding sequence featuring a pas de basque with a jeté. You will learn how to maintain a low center of gravity through the pas de basque transitions, keeping the jeté specifically at the Achilles tendon to allow for a seamless transition into a développé front. Precision in these smaller moments is what sets advanced dancers apart.
The class then moves into the mechanics of rotation, specifically focusing on piqué fouettés and pirouettes. For on the down turns, we emphasize driving the rotation from the shoulders rather than the foot to maintain momentum and control. We also explore the unique high arm pirouette technique, where the placement of the arms is held until the very moment the heel touches the floor in the landing, ensuring an intentional and polished finish.
Throughout the combinations, we address alignment in quasi positions. Changing arm placements while shifting directions is crucial to maintaining the correct relationship between the working leg and the upper body. We also practice the orbit of the foot during pas de bourrée to ensure transitions are clean and ready for the next movement.
Whether you are working on your arabesque line, the depth of your fondu, or the sharpness of your chassé and renversé, this class provides the technical breakdown needed to master complex center work with musicality and grace.
