What You'll Learn
- Refine épaulement and head positions in croisé, écarté, and effacé to enhance artistic phrasing.
- Improve adagio stability by mastering head placement during pivots and sustained développé balances.
- Increase waltz momentum using multi-stage arabesque lifts and fluid faille transitions.
- Perfect the trajectory of step-over turns and the weight distribution for back soutenu turns.
- Develop expressive port de bras and fluid landings for a professional center presence.
About This Video
Step into the center of the studio with this 22-minute intermediate ballet class from Broche Ballet, designed to bridge the gap between technical exercise and artistic performance. This session prioritizes the aesthetic of the pose, guiding dancers through the nuances of épaulement and precise head placement that transform a simple movement into a work of art. We begin with a slow tendu sequence focused on the three primary directions of the body: croisé, écarté, and effacé.
By mastering the inclination of the head and the alignment of the shoulders, you will learn to create the cohesive, long lines required for intermediate-level combinations. As the class progresses into the adagio section, the focus shifts to sustained stability and fluid transitions. You will navigate challenging développé and arabesque sequences that test your balance.
A critical takeaway from this portion of the class is the mechanic of the head during pivots; the instructor demonstrates how keeping the head positioned over the shoulder during weight shifts ensures a secure center. The energy then shifts into a dynamic and 'spicy' waltz combination. This sequence introduces complex mechanics involving the piqué arabesque and the faille.
You will learn technical secrets for generating momentum, such as lifting the arabesque twice to create a 'breath' in the movement before the transition. We also break down the mechanics of turning, specifically the back soutenu and step-over turns. You will practice maintaining weight on the original supporting leg during a soutenu to ensure a crisp flick of the second foot.
For step-over turns, the instructor emphasizes a direct trajectory by extending the leg toward the nose, allowing you to travel effortlessly along the diagonal. The class concludes with a beautiful swan-themed reverence, integrating artistic phrasing with classical technique. Whether you are looking to improve your phrasing or refine your transitional steps like the pas de bourrée, this class offers a comprehensive look at center work for the dedicated adult dancer.
