by Natalia Boesch | May 23, 2019 | Dance Teacher, Technique, Training
“People have so much fear associated with arabesque turns,” says Peter Boal, artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet. Here, he shares images and ideas to help you confidently master this advanced pirouette. “It’s a real accomplishment...
by Natalia Boesch | Feb 28, 2019 | Technique, Training
Xiomara Reyes, head of The Washington School of Ballet, describes grand battement as “a very important base step that helps with flexibility, jumps and stability. It’s the beginning of a grand jeté, the farthest push of your body in space and...
by Natalia Boesch | Dec 13, 2018 | Technique, Training
“In Cuba, everybody turns,” says Caridad Martinez, a ballet faculty member at The Ailey School and a former principal with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Here, she walks us through the exercises and techniques that comprise “the Cuban secret” of...
by Natalia Boesch | Oct 15, 2018 | Technique, Training
It’s the complex transfer of weight that makes piqué turns en dehors—commonly called “step-overs”—so tricky. Maria Torija, director of the BalletMet Dance Academy, shares her ideas on how to successfully navigate these inevitable...
by Natalia Boesch | Aug 23, 2018 | Technique, Training
The waltz turn, says Ballet Academy East teacher and Dances Patrelle artistic director Francis Patrelle, must be distinguished from a dainty balancé en tournant. Here, he shares how he encourages his students to bring “American largesse” to this luscious,...
by Natalia Boesch | Jul 8, 2018 | Technique, Training, Viral Videos
Married couple and former American Ballet Theatre principals Irina Dvorovenko and Maxim Beloserkovsky share their advice for an essential partnering element: fish dives. For Men Handle with care: Holding the ballerina in the wrong place can cause her a lot of pain....
by Natalia Boesch | Apr 5, 2018 | Technique, Training
Updated 10/5/22. Gargouillade was a trademark step for Margaret Tracey. Now, the lauded dance educator helps the next generation of dancers acquire this “magical little movement.” Here’s how. Technical prerequisites: To prepare for gargouillade,...
by Amy Brandt | Jul 27, 2017 | Technique, Training
Nothing’s more impressive than a fluttery entrechat six. Here, School of American Ballet’s Suki Schorer gives her tips for perfecting this tricky jump. 1. Your Power Is In the Plié One of the most common problems Suki Schorer sees is dancers taking too...