Learn Ballet!
Intro to Ballet Workshop with Jessica Flores!
Saturday January 10th, 17th, 24th & 31st / 9-10am
Ballet first appeared during the Italian Renaissance in the 15th century -that’s over 700 years ago! Its terminology is in French and many of its exercises are done today the same as they were done centuries ago which is pretty amazing if you think about it. 700 years is a long time to get something right and when you study Ballet, all of its history and wisdom gets passed onto you. Ballet and the ballet barre specifically has only one objective and that is to make a dancer – of ANY kind. No matter what style of dance is your jam: Hip Hop, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballroom, Salsa or Ballet itself…the very best dancers train at the barre – because of what it teaches the body to do. Leave your tutu and tights at home and let your hair down: this is Ballet for adults. Wear your yoga pants and a tank, ballet slippers are not expensive (Amazon) or work in your socks. This is such an amazing experience!
Dance 101 has been introducing Ballet to adults of all ages for 22 years. We got it down. We know how to teach you and if this is something you want for yourself all you have to do is reach out and take it.
Workshop Syllabus
Week 1 –
Introductions
- Names
- Why ballet?
Alignment principles
- Spinal alignment
- Turnout
Body positions
- Foot positions 1-5
- Arm positions (en bas-fifth and first arabesque)
Plies, tendus, dégagés
- Facing barre or outside hand on hip or in second
- Discuss common combination patterns
- Hand placement on barre
- Definition of terms
Week 2 –
Review content from week 1
Fondus, Rond de jambe, frappe
- Definition of terms
- Slow execution
Adagio, Grande Battenment
- Teach the proper mechanics of lifting the leg
- Apply to both adagio (leg low/comfortable) and GB.
Week 3 –
Follow-along warm-up
Center tendu
- Apply alignment from barre to center
- Include weight change and shift
Mechanics of a turn
- Tendu, fifth plie, passe hold. Flat first, then optional releve
- Discuss “spotting”
- Broken-down chaine turns from the back of the room to the front
Common connecting steps (waltz, tombe pas de bourree)
Week 4 –
Follow-along warm-up
Center tendu
Common connecting steps review
Warm-up jumps
- Saute from first and second
- Changements
Petite Allegro
- Glissade
- Assemblée
- Tombe pas de bourree, glissade, assemblée
**Each class will feature a follow-along reverence cool-down before dismissal.
