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Ballet Center Work For 8-9 Years

Type:

Teacher article

Category:

None

1. RISES AND DEMI PLIE

Prepare: 1st position

Introduction: Arm softly lift to skirt

1-3 Rise to demi pointe 1st position

4-6 Lower to demi plie

1-6 Repeat

1-3 Rise to demi pointe

4-6 Lift arms to 1st position

1-2 Balance

3 Lower to demi plie, replacing arms to skirt

4-5 Stretch knees, degage to second with right foot

6 Lower to 2nd position feet

Repeat in second position, finishing with close to 1st position, arms bras bas

2. PORT DE BRAS

Prepare: 1st position

Introduction: Arm demi second and lower to bras bas

1-6 Port de bras 1st position arms

1-6 Port de bras 2nd position

1-6 Right arm 3rd position

1-6 Port de bras to 4th position

1-6 Port de bras to 5th position

1-6 Open arms to 2nd position

1-6 Lower arms to bras bas

1-6 Tendu de cote right, head turns right

Repeat all to the other side

3. PREPARATION FOR CIRCULAR WALTZ

Prepare: 5th position at the back of the room

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd pick up skirt

1 Step forward on right foot

2 Step forward on back foot and half turn to the right

3 Close to 5th from degage devant

4 Step backwards on back foot

5 Half turn to the right and step forward

6 Close 5th position behind from degage derriere

Continue to end of music

This exercise must also be taught to the left

4. CHASSE

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd

1 Demi plie, arms to bras bas

2 Chasse en avant, arms 1st position

3 Stretch to degage derriere, arms to 2nd position

4 Close 5th position derriere

5-8 Repeat above 4 counts

1 Demi plie leave arms in second position

2 Chasse de cote to the right

3 Stretch left foot degage decote

4 Close left foot 5th devant

5 Demi plie arms to bras bas

6 Releve 5th position, arms 5th

7 Lower to demi plie, opening arms to second position

8 Stretch knees, leave arms in second position

Repeat exercise to the left

5. POLKA EN AVANT AND EN ARRIERE

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt

8 polkas en avant

8 polkas en arriere

OR

4 polkas en avant

4 polkas en arriere

4 polkas en avant

4 polkas en arriere

6. POLKA ENTOURNANT

Prepare: 5th position U\S Prompt

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt or hands on hips

Polka en tournant in 5th position diagonally down the room to the right

This exercise must also be taught to the left.

Polkas may be done either by stepping to demi pointe, OR by drawing legs together in a 'galop' style

7. CHANGEMENT

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt or hands on hips

8 Divided changement using 2 counts to plie, 1 count to jump, and 1 count to stretch

OR

"and" Demi plie

1-2 Changement

3-4 Changement

5-8 4 changements

8. SAUTE IN ATTITUDE AND WALTZ

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt

1 Pose de cote to the right

2-3 Temps leve with left leg low attitude devant

1-3 Repeat left

1-3 Waltz de cote right

1-3 Waltz de cote left

Repeat 3 more times

9. PAS DE BASQUE EN AVANT

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt

8 Pas de basque en avant

Each pas de basque in 3 counts, and pass through 5th position

Arms may be used through 1st to 2nd on each pas de basque

10. PAS DE BOUREE

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt or hands on hips

"and" Lift back foot cou de pied derriere

1-3 Pas de bouree ordinaire

4 Lift back foot cou de pied derriere

3rd Position arms may be used.

Repeat exercise on alternative sides to end of music

11. COUPE

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt or hands on hips

1-3 Coupe devant, coupe derriere, coupe devant

4 Hold fondu cou de pied

1-3 Coupe derriere, coupe devant, coupe derriere

4 Hold fondu cou de pied

Repeat until end of music

Alternative Exercise -

PETIT JETES DERRIERE

1-3 3 petit jetes derriere

4 hold fondu

Repeat until end of music

12. PREPARATION FOR GLISSADE DERRIERE

Prepare: 5th position

Introduction: Arm 1st to 3rd

1-3 3 glissades derriere

4 1 changement changing 3rd position arm to other side

Repeat other side

Repeat until end of music

13. DIVIDED ECHAPPE SAUTE

Prepare: 5th position right foot front

Introduction: Arm 1st to 2nd softly pick up skirt or hands on hips

1 Echappe saute to 2nd position

2 Stretch knees in 2nd position

3 Plie 2nd

4 Saute to 5th position left foot front

Repeat 3 more times

Author

Alisa Finney

Alisa Finney

Alisa Finney re launched the Melbourne Ballet Company in 2007 and she carries responsibilities in artistic direction, programming and professional development for the company. Her successful career as a Principal ballet teacher at Gay Wightman School of Ballet for over 20 years is ably supported with an Advanced Diploma in Dance Teaching from the Australian Ballet School (Distinction), Borovansky Memorial Australian Academy of Dancing Diploma, Australian Institute of Classical Dance Licenciate Diploma, Bachelor of Applied Science (RMIT) and Bachelor of Business Administration (RMIT), plus multiple certificates in pedagogical studies that enhance her career in dance education. As Principal of the Gay Wightman School of Ballet she puts on 3 student productions annually with over 400 performers, teaches the Vaganova based BMAAD syllabus from Pre-Primary to Solo Seal and is a teacher of VCE and VET Dance as well as private coaching. Alisa has developed a 13 level elite student dance program- the Melbourne Ballet Company Coaching School, and she delivers and co- ordinates teachers development days in this system of training. Students are submitted in exams for this through the Australasian Dance Assessment. A vision to create a ballet company has been hers for many years. As a manager of a performing arts organisation she has taken the primary role to initiate and develop the Melbourne Ballet Company, securing its clear direction and future through bringing in key alliances and ensuring a stable management structure for the company. To maintain the momentum of a professional company that is high in integrity with committed and loyal personnel in the competitive environment that is Melbournes arts scene has earned her great respect within the industry and abroad. Now in its fourth year of operation, and with nine successful performance seasons, Alisa has provided a surety for Melbourne Ballet Company’s future.

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