Today's the last day to vote...for me!
Three of my technique videos are up for a Pointe video of the month award for July at dancemedia.com:
Tendu, demi-plie and releve!
This is a great site anyway, with loads of dance clips of pros and amateurs, plus technique tips like mine and other cool dance related things. I'd love to get an award there! So if you can, take a look and vote for one of mine - I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks, everyone, and happy dancing!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fit Ballet with Leigh - Dégagé
Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
5 Positions with Port de bras
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Coming Soon!
There is no rest for the weary! Just because it's summer, that doesn't mean we're on vacation at the ballet blog. We've got lots of new things coming up:
More videos...
degage
pas de cheval
warm-up exercise
More how-to's...
How to wrap your skirt
How to fold your pointe shoes
How to lace your pointe ribbons
More technique tips...
Getting more out of your point
Spotting without getting dizzy
More of YOUR questions answered!
Is pas de bourree like balance?
Should my foot be flexed or pointed in frappe?
Got a question about a step? Want to know more about class? Interested in dance nutrition? Just ask and it shall be answered (eventually!)~
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fit Ballet with Leigh - 5 Positions with Port de bras
Be sure to check out my older videos if you haven't had a chance:
Rond de jambe
Relevé
Tendu
Demi-Plié
Intro
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Slight schedule adjustments
A few alterations to my class schedule:
1. Through August, there will be no 4:15PM Friday Teen class. However, I will continue the 5:30PM Friday Pointe class for all.
2. The Summer Ballet Intensive from August 17-28 will be open to ALL students at ALL levels. So no matter your age, if you want to improve your technique and learn some rep, come sign up for the intensive: 626-792-4616. And at $175 for the whole 2 weeks, the price can't be beat!!
3. My adult classes will continue through the August break! The only change is Tuesdays which will begin at 6:30 rather than 6, just for August 18 and 25.
My calendar below will be updated to reflect these changes...
1. Through August, there will be no 4:15PM Friday Teen class. However, I will continue the 5:30PM Friday Pointe class for all.
2. The Summer Ballet Intensive from August 17-28 will be open to ALL students at ALL levels. So no matter your age, if you want to improve your technique and learn some rep, come sign up for the intensive: 626-792-4616. And at $175 for the whole 2 weeks, the price can't be beat!!
3. My adult classes will continue through the August break! The only change is Tuesdays which will begin at 6:30 rather than 6, just for August 18 and 25.
My calendar below will be updated to reflect these changes...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Summer update
With summer comes vacation but luckily for my students, I'm not going anywhere! LOL!
From August 17-28, while Le Studio is officially closed, Melissa Waters and I will be teaching a ballet intensive for students ages 8-19, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 6:30 PM:
4 - 5:30PM - technique class with Melissa or Leigh
5:30 - 6:30 PM - repertory
During repertory, we will be learning a piece that we will showcase for the studio in September and will be the basis of our new ballet company! Yes, we are bringing back Le Studio's student company this fall and every student who takes the intensive will not have to audition for it. Cost for the entire 2 weeks is $175.
Also, my adult class schedule will remain the same, with the exception of Tuesday nights which will begin at 6:30 for both weeks (this is only a temporary change).
To sign up for the intensive, please contact Le Studio at 626-792-4616.
Happy summer~
From August 17-28, while Le Studio is officially closed, Melissa Waters and I will be teaching a ballet intensive for students ages 8-19, Monday through Friday, from 4 to 6:30 PM:
4 - 5:30PM - technique class with Melissa or Leigh
5:30 - 6:30 PM - repertory
During repertory, we will be learning a piece that we will showcase for the studio in September and will be the basis of our new ballet company! Yes, we are bringing back Le Studio's student company this fall and every student who takes the intensive will not have to audition for it. Cost for the entire 2 weeks is $175.
Also, my adult class schedule will remain the same, with the exception of Tuesday nights which will begin at 6:30 for both weeks (this is only a temporary change).
To sign up for the intensive, please contact Le Studio at 626-792-4616.
Happy summer~
What is B+?
Very often in class, you will hear the teacher say, "Start in B+," and immediately students will stand very straight in a croise position, with the back leg bent and the big toe on the floor, arms en bas (low 5th) and the knees and thighs touching.
B+ is a preparatory position that students take as they wait to go across the floor. Alternatively it is a pose dancers may use on stage - a very unassuming pose usually behind or around other dancers who may be performing. It's especially helpful when you're dancing on a stage which has no wings and you must stand patiently and unobtrusively as you are waiting your turn to dance!
The origins of the phrase, B+, are mixed. It's technically an "attitude a terre." Some say it comes from Labanotation which uses symbols for steps and that B+ is what the symbol for that step looks like. Others say it's from Balanchine and that the B stands for his name with the + indicating the back foot rests in a bent position while a - indicates the front foot is bent. I have never seen bent front foot as a preparation position although a straight leg tendu en efface as a preparation is often used particularly for big jumps. Many people think the RAD school (that's the Royal Academy of Dance) calls this step "classical pose."
In any case, this is what it looks like:
Photo by Rachel Villoria
B+ is a preparatory position that students take as they wait to go across the floor. Alternatively it is a pose dancers may use on stage - a very unassuming pose usually behind or around other dancers who may be performing. It's especially helpful when you're dancing on a stage which has no wings and you must stand patiently and unobtrusively as you are waiting your turn to dance!
The origins of the phrase, B+, are mixed. It's technically an "attitude a terre." Some say it comes from Labanotation which uses symbols for steps and that B+ is what the symbol for that step looks like. Others say it's from Balanchine and that the B stands for his name with the + indicating the back foot rests in a bent position while a - indicates the front foot is bent. I have never seen bent front foot as a preparation position although a straight leg tendu en efface as a preparation is often used particularly for big jumps. Many people think the RAD school (that's the Royal Academy of Dance) calls this step "classical pose."
In any case, this is what it looks like:
Photo by Rachel VilloriaWednesday, July 1, 2009
How to watch my videos
Oh sure, you think you can simply click on the video and settle in for a little show, maybe have a soda and snack by your side...think again! I can't do this alone - you have to get up and do it with me!
Now first things first, make sure your "barre" is sturdy. This means it should be properly weighted: if it's a chair, you can place a stack of books on it; if it's a railing, be certain it's nailed into the wall or floor well. You don't want to be holding onto it and accidentally pull it over on you.
If you're in your home, give yourself some space. Move the table or desk aside (of course, you need a good look at the computer so be sure you can see it!) so you have a little room to move.
If you're in your office - close the door! lol!!!
Be comfortable. Take off your shoes. Wear loose pants and shirt. This is for you and no one else.
And now, relax and enjoy. Press replay so you can do the exercise a few times, really absorb the instruction into your body.
As always...got a question? Just ask!
Now first things first, make sure your "barre" is sturdy. This means it should be properly weighted: if it's a chair, you can place a stack of books on it; if it's a railing, be certain it's nailed into the wall or floor well. You don't want to be holding onto it and accidentally pull it over on you.
If you're in your home, give yourself some space. Move the table or desk aside (of course, you need a good look at the computer so be sure you can see it!) so you have a little room to move.
If you're in your office - close the door! lol!!!
Be comfortable. Take off your shoes. Wear loose pants and shirt. This is for you and no one else.
And now, relax and enjoy. Press replay so you can do the exercise a few times, really absorb the instruction into your body.
As always...got a question? Just ask!
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