What is a Rond de Jambe?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

 

 Today, we’re going to learn how to do a rond de jambe.

 

Below is the definition of this step from Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary:

 

“A movement in which the working leg is made to describe a letter D about the supporting leg. May be done with the working foot on the floor or in the air. In a rond de jambe en dehors (“outward”) on the floor, the working leg moves from first (or fifth) position to pointe tendu forward, makes a half circle to pointe tendu in back, and then returns to first, if the rond de jambe is to be repeated, and otherwise to first or fifth. A wonderful exercise for turnout. In a rond de jambe en dedans (“inward”), the direction of movement is reversed. In a demi rond de jambe, the working leg goes only half-way around, stopping in second position. A grand rond de jambe, is executed with the supporting leg in plié. A rond de jambe en l’air (“in the air”) is done with the working leg raised off the floor, frequently at an angle of 90 degrees (parallel to the floor). “

 

Below is a drawing of the movements involved in a rond de jambe:

 Maybe this video will explain this step more clearly:

  

I found a picture for us to color.

 Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.  Don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

 

 

 

 You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

This week’s article for mom and dad: 

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/dance-shoe-reviews-ballet-shoes/

Please come back next week.  We’ll learn more ballet steps.

 

See you then.

 

 

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

 

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

What is a Pirouette and How Do I Do It?

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

I’m happy to see you again.

Today, we’re going to learn about the ballet step called a “pirouette”.

Below is the definition of this word from Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary:

“A complete turn on one leg. The dancer usually goes round more than once. The raised leg is most commonly held in rétiré, but pirouettes with the leg in other positions are not uncommon. If the direction of the turn rotates the raised leg away from the front of the body, the pirouette is en dehors; if it rotates the leg toward the front, it is en dedans. The dancer spots (see “spotting”) in order to avoid becoming disoriented. Pirouettes are usually fast, but supported pirouettes, in which a partner steadies the soloist, may be done very slowly. “

Below is a picture of a man doing a pirouette.

I found a video of  a ballet teacher explaining how to do a pirouette correctly.

Now, you try it.

I’m going to practice my pirouettes.  After that, I’m going to color the ballet picture I found.  You can, too.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.  don’t forget to say “please” and “thank  you”.

 

I hope you’ll come back next week when we will learn some more ballet steps.

See you then.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

Article for mom and dad:  

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/great-reads-for-the-dancing-soul/#more-298

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)

Let’s Practice the Changement

 

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

 

Today we’re going to learn about the ballet step, changement.

The word “changement” meand a “change of the feet”.

 

Vance’s Fantastic Ballet Dictionary defines the changement this way,

 

“A jump, straight up, starting from fifth position with one foot in front and landing in fifth position with the other foot in front.”

 

Below is a picture of a dancer doing a changement:

 

 

Maybe this video will make the step more understandable.  Click on the link to see the video:

 

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-changement

 

Now you try it.  Don’t step on  your toes!

 

I’m going to go practice the changement.  When I’m finished, I’m going to color the picture below.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you.

 

 I know you remembered to say “please” and “thank you”.

 

Two links with information for mom and dad: 

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/food-for-dance-what-to-pack-for-studio-snacks/

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/recipe-for-success-trail-mix-aka-ballerina-blend/#more-290 

 

 

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

 

I hope you’ll come back next week when we will learn a new ballet step. 

See you then.

 

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

 

 

 

 

 

Let’s Practice a Petit Jeté

Hi!  Welcome back to my blog.

Today we’re going to learn how to do a petit jeté.

Below is the definition of this ballet step from Vance’s Ballet Dictionary:

 ”A jump: brush the working foot out, hop off the supporting leg, and land on the working foot with the other foot sur le cou-de-pied behind. Can be done to the front, the side, or the back.”

This picture shows how the feet should be just before you begin the petit jeté.

Below is a video of a boy performing a petit jeté:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BFl7nHfVQI&feature=bf_prev&list=HL1327264326&lf=mh_lolz

He’s very good, isn’t he?

I’m going to go practice the petit jete now.  When I’m finished, I’m going to color the picture.

Ask your mom or dad to print it out for you and don’t forget to say “please” and “thank you”.

Please come back to see me next week when we’ll learn about more ballet steps.

See you then.

You can subscribe to my blog if you’d like and your mom and dad say it’s okay.  Just click on the “subscribe” button in the right-hand column near the top of the page and fill out the form.  You’ll get each new blog post right in your email inbox.

These links are for your mom or dad:

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/food-for-dance-what-to-pack-for-studio-snacks/

http://eauclaireschoolofdance.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/recipe-for-success-trail-mix-aka-ballerina-blend/#more-290

xoxoxo,

MilliMouse

(Millicent’s blog is sponsored by the Exercise Equipment Super Store and the Healing Tai Chi Store)