What You'll Learn
- Refine the crucial first step of the pas de bourrée using piqué dégagé drills.
- Improve stability and control during piqué passé transitions in the center.
- Develop precision in foot placement through repetitive piqué brush and lift exercises.
- Master the takeoff from one leg to find a secure and consistent balance en pointe.
About This Video
Transitioning from the barre to the center is one of the most challenging milestones in pointe work. At Broche Ballet, we believe that building confidence en pointe requires a combination of strength, balance, and—most importantly—focused repetition. This specialized class, "Venturing Off the Barre," is designed to bridge that gap by isolating the mechanics of two fundamental movements: the pas de bourrée and the piqué passé.
The session begins by establishing a strong technical foundation in croisé before moving through preparatory movements including tendu, relevé in sous-sus, and soutenu. These exercises are crucial for finding your center of gravity and stabilizing your ankles before attempting weight transfers away from the support of the barre. By practicing these elements in a controlled sequence, dancers can find the vertical alignment necessary for successful center work.
A major focus of this tutorial is the precision of the "first step." For many dancers, stability is often lost during the initial piqué into a pas de bourrée or passé. We utilize specific repetition drills to master the takeoff from one leg, ensuring that every piqué dégagé and piqué passé is executed with crisp intentionality. By practicing the piqué brush and piqué lift repeatedly, you will train your muscle memory to find the correct placement on the platform of the shoe every time you step up.
As the lesson progresses, we introduce variations to increase the level of difficulty. You will work on adding pickups to your piqué passé and refining the intricacies of the pas de bourrée. We emphasize landing in the same place with every repetition, a hallmark of professional technique and control. Whether you are working on a piqué front or a clean soutenu, these drills provide the consistency needed for fluid, beautiful dancing. Join Broche Ballet for this intensive session and gain the confidence to leave the barre behind.
