by Natalia Boesch | Feb 15, 2018 | Technique, Training
Many dancers struggle with brisé, says Laszlo Berdo, associate director of the Charlotte Ballet Academy. “But once you’ve mastered it, it’s not that difficult.” Here’s how he helps his students beat the brisé blues. Hold your turnout:...
by Candice Thompson | Nov 12, 2017 | Career, Profiles, Technique
When Jurgita Dronina first danced Kitri for a guest performance of Don Quixote with Teatro Filarmonico-Fondazione Arena Di Verona, she was in essence cast against type. “Before Kitri, I was dancing only lyrical or dramatic roles, so I had to start from scratch...
by Natalia Boesch | Aug 10, 2017 | Technique, Training
It’s a staple of grand allégro, but tour jeté—also called grand jeté entournant or entrelacé—is not easy. Miami City Ballet School’s Geta Constantinescu shares how she helps her students fly higher. Geta Constatinescu working with a Miami City Ballet...
by Gavin Larsen | Aug 3, 2017 | Training
Striving for higher extensions, more turnout and bigger jumps may be at the top of your agenda in daily class. But what about those finer points of your technique, the subtleties that make a dancer really shine? They need just as much of your attention, and letting...
by Gavin Larsen | Jun 11, 2017 | Training
Deep down, Dara Oda knew she wasn’t ready. Despite 15 years of solid training at the School of DanceWest Ballet near her hometown outside of Chicago, by the end of high school she realized she still didn’t have the technique or maturity for a realistic...
by Amy Brandt | Jun 16, 2016 | Ask Amy, Training
Are private lessons necessary? I think I’d improve more quickly, but I’m already really busy. —Sarah Private coaching, while expensive, certainly has benefits—it allows you to fine-tune small details or concentrate on specific things...
by Gavin Larsen | May 31, 2016 | Training
This story originally appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of Pointe. Harper Ortlieb knew something needed to change. Her three-hour commute to daily classes at the School of Oregon Ballet Theatre was unsustainable, and her obsession with ballet was intensifying. The...
by Hannah Foster | Mar 31, 2016 | Training, Wellness
This story originally appeared in the April/May 2016 issue of Pointe. Suddenly, all I could see in the mirror was a fuzzy, dancer-shaped outline. I had accidentally rubbed out my contacts right before pliés and, frustrated, resigned myself to an unproductive two...