"Two ballerinas walk into a barre": The importance of barre work

Typically, all ballet classes start at the barre - a long rail used to provide support during warmups and exercises.

(www.balletlongisland.com)

My dance teacher always said that barre was the most important part of the class. She even told us that if we were more than twenty minutes late, not to bother coming in since we had already missed the most essential part of ballet class. If we were less than ten minutes late, she would make us do our plié and tendu exercises by ourselves to make sure we started class the right way. Our barre work determined our performance for the rest of class.


Barre exercises account for most of the ballet class. For my older students, I like to spend at least half the class at the barre. Most students would agree; it's the most boring part of class. Repeating the same steps over and over, then turning around to do them on the other side - it's not nearly as fun as leaping across the floor or learning new choreography. My younger students often start to complain after two exercises.

(The Royal Ballet)

However long, boring, and drill-like barre exercises are, a ballerina cannot live without them. These necessary exercises help to warm-up a dancer's muscles, gain speed and precision in footwork, increase strength and flexibility, and improve balance. Hard work at the barre reveals itself during center floor work and the rest of ballet class. The more effort put into barre work, the more a student will get out of class.

I believe that a students' performance at the barre sets the tone for the rest of class. I always ask my students to perform barre exercises as if they were performing on stage in front of audience. I notice a huge difference in poise and presentation.

Next time you're in ballet class, give it your all when you're at the barre instead of just going through the motions!

Happy dancing!

Miss Tess

tessc@balletpetite.com