Learn ballet: How to do a grand jeté!

Ballet contains many fabulous jumps and leaps, and a grand jeté is a very popular leap performed not only in ballet, but in all other dance genres as well.

 A grand jeté is a long horizontal jump in the air. It often looks like the dancer is doing the splits while gliding in the air.

Start with a few steps for a good running start.

Brush the front leg straight into the air. It should not bend.

The back leg follows by pushing off the ground and getting the legs into a split.

Land on the front leg in a good plié.


Grand jetés can also be performed sideways and backwards.


Tips for a good grand jeté


Use lots of plié to push you off into the air.
Don't forget to lift the upper body.
Push your weight forward so that it looks like you're flying through the air.




 
Happy dancing!

Miss Tess

tessc@balletpetite.com

Breaking into the dance industry

While dance is all around us, the dance world itself is relatively small compared to other industries.

If dance is your absolute passion, there are a few things you can do to make it your career!

1. Becoming a professional dancer

(Royal Ballet morning class)

Joining a company or group can be lots of fun! What more could you ask for than to dance as your job?!
While dancing for a living may be enjoyable, it can be strenuous and hard. Dancers need to constantly take classes in order to stay in shape and be ready for anything a choreographer throws at them. For example, in an interview with the Royal Ballet in London, a reporter was informed that the company takes class and rehearses for about 7 to 8 hours a day, six days a week!
This is also a highly competitive field; this morning I was watching the movie Center Stage, which is about
young ballerinas dancing for a place in a prestigious ballet company. Out of a class of maybe one hundred students, only three boys and three girls were going to be offered a place in the company. They can't offer a space for everyone. This is similar to dance companies outside of film.
Professional dancers often perform on stage in musical theater performances, music videos, television shows, or dance as part of a company. Becoming a professional can be a huge commitment, but if you love to dance, it can be a really rewarding career.
The reality of becoming a professional dancer is that the body will eventually wear out and lose its ability to move like it did in its younger years. Its an inevitable fate for all dancers, but that does not mean that you can't take part in the dance business.

2.Choreographer

For those with a creative mind, some dancers turn to a career to choreography. Choreographers do not necessarily need to dance in a company, but dance experience is a must. After dancing during their prime, many dancers return to a company or studio to work as the creative mastermind behind dance pieces and movements.

Miss Tess with former students (2010)

3.Teaching

This is my passion in life. I love teaching.
I came to terms with my dancing career when I was about to graduate from high school; in reality, I knew that I would not be cut-out for the professional life. It was going to be super competitive, and there would be no guarentee.
My dance teacher hired me to start teaching a few classes at my studio. First I was her assistant, then I was given classes of my own. I was so happy to be able to spread the joy of dance with others.I loved to see all my students and parents with a smile of their face.
With enough dance experience and a great recommendation, teaching dance can be an excellent
choice of career in the dance industry.

4.Starting your own dance studio

I know many people who decided that they wanted a place of their own. Starting your own studio is a great way to pass on your dance experience to others.
Because it will become your business, it would be wise, along with dance experience, to have business knowledge, either by taking course yourself or having a business partner.



If you really love dance, you can find something that will help you to satisfy your need to dance. But whatever you do, do it with all your heart and you will never work a day in your life.

Happy dancing!

 

Miss Tess

tessc@balletpetite.com

Learn Ballet: How to do a Fondu!

Fondu is a ballet exercise in which the body is lowered by bending the knee of one supporting leg.

Fondu literally translates to "melted" in English. Think about eating chocolate or cheese fondu!

(Students demonstrating coupe position.)

To start a battement fondu exercise, begin by placing the feet in a closed foot position, either first or fifth. 

Bring the working foot up to a coupe position. Place the foot right above the ankle and keep the knee out to the side.  

Plié the supporting leg.

Extend the working leg and straighten the supporting leg at the same time. Place the working foot either on the floor (a terre) or in the air (en l'air).
 

Repeat by returning the working foot back to coupe. Fondus can be performed to the front, side, and back.

Tips for a great fondu: 

Use the imagery of melting to aid you in a fondu. Literally thinking about melting into the floor to get the smooth transitions from the coupe to the leg extension.

When you extend the leg, lift the rest of your body up and open out your chest.

Take a breath before you plié. 

Arthur Saint-Léon, choreographer of the ballet Coppélia, wrote, "Fondu is on one leg what a plié is on two." 

Happy dancing!

 

 Miss Tess

 tessc@balletpetite.com