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Ballet theory
Classical ballet modern ballet
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Despite the fact that ballet is a completely new challenge for me, I managed to learn the choreographies and movements. From the videotaped performance I was able to identify the dance technique aspects that need to be improved for further correction. Although several elements, such as turns, port de bras, spatial awareness, movement quality and dynamic range require work; there are also aspects that were improved through practice. The turns, composed by either chaines, piques, or pirouttes, are the elements that, from my perspective, are required to be addressed with higher priority among others. In the videotape, it is easy to identify the mistakes made when performing these movements. From these mistakes, I believe that the most critics are the position of the arms and the motion of the legs. For example, in the third combination performed, during the chains sequence, the speed of the choreography was slowed down due to the incongruity of the steps and the turns. Also, I noticed that there was a large space in between my feet during each turn, which made the movement to last longer. Therefore, since the chaines weren’t performed correctly, I was delayed in one count, which made me not follow the tempo …show more content…
During the second combination performed, the arms played an important role in defining the quality of the choreography, and even though I was able to correctly switch the positions, the muscular energy was not enough. As a result, the arms were not accurately aligned and the overall performance didn’t look harmonious. Similarly, during the chaine/pique combination the position of the arms gives the movement a distinct feature. In the videotape, I was able to recognize the lack of this feature since the arms were not properly extended or elevated. Finally, during the pirouette combination the arms were not synchronized with the leg movements, nor aligned or properly
Notice the incredible control and strength the dancer possesses to rise onto the point of the
It is reliant on proper technique, fluidity, and coordination. Ballet technique includes alignment, pointe technique, and core techniques. Alignment includes proper posture of the dancer’s head, shoulders, and hips being vertically aligned. Each dancer needs to perfect the turnout, which is the movement where the dancer’s legs are rotating outward and it emphasizes clean footwork including enabling correct body positions, angles, and lines. It is imperative that a ballet dancer masters each detail in order to express complete fluidity throughout the dance such as proper posture, keeping shoulders down and toe pointing. Russian ballet is known for dramatic high extensions and dynamic turns throughout their dance like Pavlova did in The Dying
One characteristic of technique that I noticed in most of the pieces performed was fast paced movement. Every piece was very upbeat and synchronized with the music. All their movements were done to the accents in the music. In “Too Many Cooks” all the movements were in sync with the sounds in the music. In “Mood Indigo,” there were three duets and they all showed different colors of indigo by how they dancers expressed their movements. The first duet was the color purple and they showed a couple in love and the movement was very quick. The second duet was the color light purple and the movement was very slow, this was the only piece where the movement was pretty slow. Since it was a lighter color they made the movement slower which fit the whole idea. In many of the other pieces they movement was fast as well.
At some points the dancers would move fast and quick with swift motions but in the
I loved how Butterfly’s Uncle’s identifying step for me were how he would always seem to be doing jumps such as glissades and pas de chats in his choreography. I was pleased to see that I recognized the temps levés and enveloppés that Sharpless was implementing when he read Butterfly Pinkerton’s letter. I now understand how crucial it is for dancers to spot after I viewed how sharp, straight, and elegant Pinkerton’s pirouettes were in Act one. I also believe in the power of articulating through pliés are to a dancer because I saw how simply beautiful and high the cast’s grande jetés were throughout the performance. How important epaulment for ballet dancers is was very evident throughout, and how much thinking of performing to each individual’s corner of the room was critical in creating and maintain straight and crisp
It is surprising that tap began as a necessity for survival before it was an art form. It began during the slave trade when slave-holders found out that Africans were communicating coded messages through their traditional instruments and drums. The slave-holders had the use of these rhythm instruments banned to try and stop communication (Holmes par. 3).The Africans, desperate to make contact with other slaves, transferred the rhythms to their feet and tap dancing was born (Holmes par. 4).
In the beginning, the dancers start this arrangement by slowly sitting down, hunched over in their chairs and then hurl their upper bodies into the air, only to gradually sit back down. After a few moments, the dancers suddenly wind their arms off to the right side and hastily throw them to the other side and then repeat the steps they did before. Throughout the piece, they add on to the sequence and eventually go on to reverse it before they finally break free at the end.
Dance has different definitions for each individual. For some it may symbolize beauty, perfection, and struggles amongst many others. The dance movement themselves can be executed in various ways (Ferrufino & Coubard, 2012). Not everyone performs the same exact way there are a variety of different ways to perform and that is what makes dance so special. From those precisely choreographed in advanced to those created on impulse or on the spur of the moment all dances require exploration and creativeness (Ferrufino & Coubard, 2012). Every person who watches choreography by Lizzie MacKenzie is probably surprised that she is not as well known as other choreographers (Nevin, 2013). However, she is identified as an exceptional dancer as well as for her many guest appearances in high profile social events (Nevin, 2013). She is also recognized as the founder and artistic director of Extensions Dance Company, which is one of the most successful and respected dance companies in the country (Nevin, 2013).
The first major figure’s in ballet according to the textbook name is Catherine de’ Medici. She is important because she married into France and brought a few dance masters along with her which effectively started court ballet. Another Major figure of ballet was King Louis 14th. He established the first academy of dance along with having a huge love for dance, thus giving huge state support to dance. Another reason Louis instituted ballet was a political, instead of fighting people would dance. Finally, King Louis was considered the first ballet star. The next person who has influenced ballet’s name is Marie Salle. She is famous for being very talented along with being the first female choreographer. Jean Georges Noverre is the next person to influence ballet. His main contribution is writing the Letters on Dancing and Ballet which was used in the Balled D’ Action. After Georges the next influential person’s name is Carlo Blasis. He is important because he shaped ballet how ballet was taught and wrote some instructional books. Anna Pavlova was the next influential person. She is one of the most famous ballerinas for her dramatic dancing. The ballet ruesses were importatnt to the longevity of contemporary ballet because
The topic I decided to choose to conduct my Capstone Research on is Copyright in Choreographic Works. Choreography is “Choreographers use dance performances to express ideas and stories. There are many types of dance, such as ballet, tango, modern dance, tap, and jazz (bls.gov). Choreography is also something that should be made from the heart, it’s not something that should be taken from someone else because at that point, it wouldn’t be considered your choreography and it wouldn’t be something you made from your own mind and creativity. Dancing is something you have a passion for and you show your emotions through your movements, so there shouldn’t be a need to copy. The problem now is, many choreographers are starting to steal choreography
In conclusion, one must look more into ballet and not just see it as a form of art. Not only in our culture today is it seen as an art, but also reflective of Western ideology. Many ideals the West based their culture off of shows up in modern and classical ballet. One must learn to read and analyze such an art and not just see it as entertainment pleasing to the eye.
Ballet, What is it? It definitely is not just a girl twirling around in a tutu. Although that is what most people see it as. It is form of expression and is considered an art because with performance there is a story being told.
The Northern Territory is known for its culturally diverse population and some would say it is the ‘multicultural hub’ of Australia. With all of these cultures comes distinctive customs and traditions. Throughout history dance has been used to help people develop a sense of identity, the younger generations are also taught social patterns and values through the different dances. The significance of these traditional dances was to reinforce and celebrate cultural law and practices including the celebration of the passage from child to adulthood or spiritual worship. The predominantly Western culture in Australia often causes minority groups to struggle for recognition regarding their beliefs and traditions. This is parallel to the Australian dance industry, where many cultural dance groups feel they have to justify who they are and are often
“Dance, the art of precise, expressive, and graceful human movement, traditionally, but not necessarily, performed in accord with musical accompaniment. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action.”
“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”- Colin Powell