Creating a lesson plan for beginner dancers is always challenging because teens who are not accustomed to the discipline of dance in general but especially Ballet, rarely understand that it is going to take time and concentration to master even the most basic steps. They want instant gratification and can be easily disappointed and turned off if they do not feel that they are looking good when they move. Finding the delicate combination of helping them to learn the technique which is vital for them to succeed and giving them enough movement so that they don't feel clumsy or uncoordinated can be a definite challenge. What makes it rewarding is when they return the next year for more.
Here are some ideas to help your beginner dancers learn the steps that will keep them encouraged and not bored.
BARRE WORK
1) PLIES-DEMI AND GRANDE: Facing the barre, feet in 1st position. One demi plie in 2 counts and one grand plie in 4 counts.Tendu with the right foot to 2nd position in 2 counts. Repeat the demi plie and grand plie in 2nd position and tendu to 3rd position, right foot in front. Repeat the same plies and tendu right foot to 2nd and close 3rd position with the right foot back and repeat plies followed by a tendu to 2nd with the left foot closing in 1st position. Facing the barre will give the dancer a stable position so that he or she will be able to concentrate on the plies.
2) BATTEMENT TENDU: One hand on the barre, feet in 1st position, other hand placed on the hip. 3 tendus devant,(to the front) followed by a demi plie. Repeat to 2nd and repeat derriere, (to the back), Rise on demi pointe, 1 2 3 4 and lower onto straight legs, 5 6 7 8.
3) RETIRE: Facing the barre, Feet in 1st position. Take the right foot up the side of the leg to retire in 2 counts, bring it back to 1 st in 2 counts, sharply, in 1 count take the foot to the side of the knee and replace it in 1 count twice. Repeat with the left leg. Repeat all. This exercise will help beginner dancers to understand that for a pirouette the foot needs to be brought up quickly to the knee.
4) ROND DE JAMBES A TERRE: Facing the barre, feet in 1st position. For rond de jambe en dehors,take the right foot forward in 2 counts, then to 2nd in 2 counts, to the back in 2 counts and back to 1st in 2 counts. Repeat with the left foot. Then reverse all for rond de jambe en dedans. Facing the barre will help your dancer to keep their shoulders and hips still while rotating the leg.
5) GRAND BATTEMENT: One hand on the barre, the other placed on the hip. Feet in 3rd position. (1)tendu to the front with the front foot, (2) lift the leg knee or hip level depending on the dancer's flexibility, I recommend staying lower rather than higher.
(3)return to tendu, (4)close in 3rd position. Repeat in 2nd position and to the back. Demi plie in 4 counts. Reverse all.
Generally I keep the barre work to these exercises, as the dancers become more confident and stronger I may add one or two exercises. No dancer likes to spend the whole class at the barre and beginner teens especially will be completely bored if you do not keep things moving! It is important as a general rule to work from both 1st position and 3rd position for beginner students. I do not recommend that you work from 5th position until the student fully understands the use of turnout to avoid straining the ankles, knees and hips. At the barre I have found that it is better to use very little port de bras until the student has mastered some control with the legs and upper body. Once they are feeling more secure you can start to add arms into the exercises.
Next month I will continue on with Part Two- Center Work, the Lesson Plan for Beginner Ballet for Teens. It will include floor exercises which will help your dancers to identify which muscles they need to use for a correct standing position, correct use of turnout and to increase flexibility. We will have exercises for Port de Bras, Tendus and for Pirouettes. Also Petit and Grand Allegro Variations to help your beginner students strengthen their technique and gain confidence.
