What You'll Learn
- The mechanics of fluid port de bras transitions through écarté and effacé positions
- How to use épaulment and specific head placement to add professional artistry to your dancing
- Techniques for maintaining balance and alignment during pas de bourrée and transitions
- How to coordinate the timing of the arms, head, and legs during plié and cambré movements
About This Video
Welcome to the fourth and final installment of our Deep Dive series into ballet port de bras and épaulment. At Broche Ballet, we believe that the upper body is where a dancer's true artistry comes to life. While the legs provide the power and foundation, the arms, head, and shoulders tell the story.
In this comprehensive 25-minute masterclass, we move beyond basic positions to explore the complex coordination required for professional-level transitions. We begin by revisiting the core principles of port de bras, emphasizing the importance of moving from the back rather than just the shoulders. You will practice specific orientations including écarté devant and effacé derrière, focusing on how the head placement—or épaulment—completely transforms the look of the movement.
Understanding the line of the chin in relation to the shoulder is a subtle detail that separates a student from a performer, and we break down those nuances here. The lesson progresses into more dynamic movements such as the pas de bourrée and cambré to the side. We focus on maintaining a strong core and stability in cou-de-pied while the upper body remains fluid and expressive.
The instructor provides detailed demonstrations on how to use your breath to facilitate movement, ensuring that your plié and arm transitions are perfectly synchronized. By the end of this class, you will have a cohesive routine that integrates these various techniques into a polished sequence. Whether you are working on your balance during a pas de bourrée or seeking more grace in your croisé positions, this class offers the technical corrections necessary to elevate your practice.
Join our Broche Ballet community as we refine the delicate balance between strength and softness in your ballet technique.
