What You'll Learn
- How to use the chin to enhance the allongé and create a longer, more stylized line.
- The 'over the balcony' visualization for maintaining neck length during downward movements.
- Coordinating head movement timing with leg extensions in ronds de jambe and fondu.
- Developing fluid, circular head transitions instead of stiff, linear movements.
- Integrating artistic épaulement and gaze into center adage and port de bras sequences.
About This Video
Unlock the secret to professional-level artistry with this comprehensive 59-minute class from Broche Ballet. While many dancers focus solely on footwork and extensions, the placement of the head and chin—known as épaulement—is what truly separates a technician from an artist. This session focuses on the subtle nuances that create an illusion of height, grace, and fluidity through both barre and center work.
Starting at the barre, we break down foundational exercises like the plié and tendu to integrate head movement from the very beginning. You will learn the 'over the balcony' technique to maintain a long, elegant neck during downward movements, ensuring your classical line is never broken even during a deep grand plié or a complex dégagé sequence. We explore the difference between linear head nods and the 'circular' movement paths that create a more organic, classical look.
As the class progresses into more complex movements like the rond de jambe and fondu, the focus shifts to coordination. We discuss the precise timing of when the eyes should meet the hand or follow the line of the leg. By mastering the coordination between your port de bras and your gaze, you will learn how to augment an allongé with a slight lift of the chin, adding stylistic depth without unnecessary tension in the fingers.
In the center portion, we apply these techniques to adage, ton lié, and tendu combinations. You will learn how to use your épaulement to navigate transitions in positions like second, fourth, and fifth with poise. Whether you are performing a classic arabesque or a complex pas de bourrée, the integration of the head will elevate your performance from basic exercises to true classical dance.
This class is designed to help you shed stiffness and embrace a more sophisticated, fluid approach to your ballet practice. By focusing on the 'nitty-gritty' adjustments of neck alignment and artistic nuance, you will gain the stylistic precision necessary for advanced performance.
