Last month we presented jazz for beginner students. This month we will focus on the 3rd and 4th year students.
At this level, if they are not already taking ballet, it will be highly recommended that the students take at least 2 ballet classes in addition to their jazz classes. This can sometimes be a bit of a sticking point for some students but once they see that the technique they gain from taking ballet will enhance their jazz dancing very often they have a change of heart. We have a policy at our studio that if you take level 2 jazz you will need to take at least one ballet class. In most cases students will go with your recommendation. If they have been taking classes for more then two years they obviously have some interest in dance and will understand that if they want to get to the next level, even if they are recreational dancers, they will need some ballet technique.
Keep adding more stretching exercises. The focus here will be on control and strengthening.
Level II Technique
TIP: Highlight when it is being taught.then circle each # when the class has mastered the step.
It is best to teach it in the order given. 1&2 should be focused on in each class. At this level ballet should be stressed as the key to their development.
1. Developes. Each class some develope exercise should be given and focus should be on placement of hip and arms.
2. Balance and control. Balance on two feet and one foot in pass, coupe and leg extended. Focus should be on the core muscles.
3. Grand Battements in all directions. Center, traveling down the barre or across the floor. Focus on feet, control of upper body, arms and leg.
4. Double pirouettes. Center or across the floor. Introduction of en dedans pirouettes. 4 walks outside turn into inside turn.
5. Chaine turns. Traveling across the floor. 2 chaine turns into step together step together, repeat.
6. Pique turns. Add two pique turns to the combination above. 2 chaine turns, step together 2 times, 2 pique turns
7. Coupe, chasse, pas de bourree, glissade, grand jete. Focus first on the steps as a preparation, then add the leap.
8. Leap in Second. Same prep as above, add low leap then build.
9. Saut de Basque. Two chasses into two saut de basques. You can combine two chaines with two saut de basques.
10. Compass Turn. Three quick runs, right left right, reverse to the left. Step onto right foot into compass turn to the right and chasse across with left to finish then reverse entire exercise. Focus on arms. One is the stabilizer and the other one will initiate the turn.
11. Tour en l'air. In the center, one pas de bourree, one kick ball change, pirouette en dehors, small jump in jazz 1st into tour en l'air in the same direction as the pirouette, step out. Repeat on other side.
12. Extended leg pirouette. 3 walks, right left right into preparation for pirouette, en dehors with right leg stretched forward, step into 2nd. Reverse.
