What You'll Learn
- Refine port de bras and arabesque sequences set to classical music
- Techniques for building tension and release through breath and movement
- How to engage the obliques and QLs for fluid center transitions
- Strategies for adding dramatic expression and artistry to choreography
- The correct sequence of movements for the Moonlight Sonata combination
About This Video
Welcome to a specialized center practice at Broche Ballet designed to deepen the connection between music and movement. In this session, we explore the hauntingly beautiful Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven. This iconic piece requires a unique blend of strength and softness, challenging dancers to maintain technical precision while embodying a deep sense of drama.
Our focus is primarily on the port de bras, examining how the arms can lead the body through space with intentionality and grace. One of the key technical focuses of this lesson is the engagement of the obliques and the QLs (quadratus lumborum). By understanding how to activate these muscle groups in the back and sides, you can achieve more stable yet expressive side-to-side transitions.
This core stability allows the upper body to remain fluid, enabling beautiful allongé lines and breath-filled movements that reach beyond the fingertips. As we progress through the combination, you will practice layering arabesque and specific reaching movements to build tension and release. The port de bras sequence is not just about moving the arms; it is about finding the 'palmant' and the release, identifying the pockets of energy within Beethoven's score.
We emphasize the importance of using the breath to initiate every movement, ensuring that every transition feels organic and intentional. Drama is at the heart of this choreography. We encourage students to explore their personal expression, focusing on nuances like looking under the arm during transitions and maintaining proper alignment through weight shifts.
By the end of this Broche Ballet session, you will have performed two full runs of this choreography, honing your precision, control, and ability to tell a story through the medium of classical ballet.
