What You'll Learn
- Master artistic head placement to enhance your épaulement in waltz sequences.
- Refine pirouette landings by coordinating your gaze with your hand movement for a fluid finish.
- Improve technical stability by aligning your center of gravity over the standing toe during turns.
- Execute precise head angles for écarté and épaulé positions to maintain proper classical lines.
- Create expressive, high-performance movement through the coordination of arms, legs, and spotting.
About This Video
Elevate your ballet practice with this specialized 18-minute center class from Broche Ballet. We dive deep into the artistry of head placement and épaulement, specifically within the rhythmic context of a waltz. Many dancers focus solely on the feet, but true performance quality comes from the intentional coordination of the upper body and gaze.
In this lesson, you will explore how subtle head movements can transform a standard combination into a captivating performance. We begin by breaking down the mechanics of a pirouette, specifically focusing on the landing. You will learn the professional secret of following your moving hand during the descent rather than simply spotting the corner, which creates a more fluid and finished look.
Technical stability is also a key focus; our instructor provides detailed feedback on maintaining your weight over the standing toe during a relevé or turn to prevent falling backward. As we transition into waltz combinations, including balancé, tombé, and pas de bourrée, you will practice the specific 'nose over forearm' position required for a correct line in écarté and épaulé. We also cover the intricate movements of the enveloppé and soutenu, emphasizing the 'ooey-gooey' quality of reaching your nose and toes in opposite directions to create beautiful tension.
By focusing on these often-overlooked details, you will develop the technical control and artistic flair necessary for advanced ballet. Whether you are perfecting your dégagé or striving for a controlled landing where the heel meets the floor first, this class offers the professional insights needed to refine your center work.
