Ballet class: alignment, coordination, ports de bras and presentation
A ballet class with a focus on correct placement and alignment, coordination of the arms and legs and presentation.
£12.00
- 1 Class
- Suitable for 16+
This ballet class will provide exercises which focus on achieving the correct coordination of arms and legs with an emphasis on placement and alignment. Students will be guided to improve the quality of their ports de bras and explore the personality and presentation of steps using dynamics.
This lesson is also included in the Intensive course for 16+: Series 1 package.
What you will learn
-
To perform exercises with accuracy and precision
-
To achieve correct alignment
-
To understand how to apply correct coordination of arms and legs
-
To achieve a sense of presentation in your work.
Your Tutors
Zhan Atymtayev
Ballet Teacher
Zhan started ballet at the age of 11, training at Almaty Ballet School where he was taught the Vaganova method. He then joined The National Ballet Theatre before embarking on his career as a Principal dancer with Russian National Ballet until 2001.
He performed worldwide throughout his dancing career, across North America, Europe, Asia and Oceania and made a number of guest appearances in Rudolf Nureyev Annual international festivals and various worldwide competitions.
In 2001 he joined St Petersburg State Ballet as a Principal dancer where he performed until 2006. He then moved to English National Ballet where he retired as a dancer to pursue a new challenge in teaching.
Zhan gained qualifications from the Royal Academy of Dance and British Ballet Organisation to become a teacher, hoping to inspire future generations of dancers. He joined The Royal Ballet School as a Ballet Teacher in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
These classes are recommended for students aged 16+ and reflect the training given to students aged 16-19 studying at The Royal Ballet School. The classes are not suitable for beginner students, students with limited experience or students under 15 years old.
For these classes, we recommend that:
- Students are regularly training in a recognised classical ballet syllabus at a vocational level of Advanced 2 or above, or studying at an equivalent level in full-time vocational training
- Students have an excellent and broad knowledge of ballet vocabulary and can follow the class using only verbal instruction if necessary
- Students will have strong and secure basic technique with an understanding of correct placement
- Barrework should be strong with clean execution and secure demi-pointe work
- Adage will have strong, secure placement and extensions will be at 90 degrees or above
- Pirouettes are secure and students will have the ability to execute multiple turns
- Allegro, including batterie, should be executed with good understanding of secure take-off and landings
- Students undertaking pointe work will be confident in advanced exercises.
What do I need to participate?
These classes are designed so that they can be executed in a smaller space than a ballet studio. We ask that students/parents ensure that:
- The student meets the technical standards required for the class
- Any apparatus used for a barre is stable and safe
- The floor is not slippery, uneven or hazardous
- The area used for dancing is cleared of any items which could hinder the student’s ability to fully extend their arms and legs. There should be enough space for reasonable movement. If a student cannot fully execute an exercise, they should either adapt appropriately or not participate
- The student is able to clearly hear the teacher’s verbal instruction, see the teacher’s practical delivery and hear the music
- The student is appropriately dressed to safely execute a dance class. Soft ballet shoes should be worn for ballet, not pointe shoes. Bare feet, socks or suitable shoes should be worn for contemporary and Pilates
- The student’s hair is suitably tied back
- The student is fit and well in order to take part.
