For the professional dancer, the foundational years at the barre are a distant, well-mastered memory. The quest now is not for basic technique, but for the elusive qualities that transform a technically proficient performance into a breathtaking work of art. It’s in the whisper of a port de bras, the lightning-fast precision of a footwork sequence, and the explosive power of allegro that a true artist is revealed. This season, let's move beyond the barre and delve into the advanced nuances that define the pinnacle of our craft.
The Eloquent Dialogue of Port de Bras
Your port de bras is your voice. It’s the first thing an audience notices and the last thing they remember. Advanced port de bras is no longer about simply moving the arms from one position to another; it’s about initiating movement from the centre of your back, the omoplata, and allowing that energy to travel through every fingertip.
Technique Tip: The Breath-Initiated Movement
Before you begin any port de bras, take a breath. Inhale to prepare, and as you exhale, imagine the breath itself creating the movement. The arms follow the breath, not the other way around. This creates a fluid, organic quality that avoids mechanical execution. Practice slow, expansive port de bras with your eyes closed, focusing solely on the connection between your diaphragm and your extremities.
Explore the stylistic differences between the soft, rounded lines of the Romantic style and the sharper, more angular port de bras of Neoclassical works. A true professional can switch this vocabulary on a dime, using their arms to tell a different story for each choreographer's vision.
The Architecture of Intricate Footwork
Centre practice is where technique meets artistry. Advanced footwork is characterized by its complexity, speed, and clarity. It’s not just about executing steps, but about crafting the sound, rhythm, and texture of them.
- Batterie Beyond the Basics: Move beyond standard entrechats and royales. Work on intricate beats like entrechat six landing in plié for immediate rebound, or cabrioles that are not just high, but sharply beaten and suspended in time.
- The Power of the Relevé: A high, solid relevé is non-negotiable. Practice releving to the highest possible demi-pointe and holding it with the metatarsals perfectly aligned, without sickling. This strength is the foundation for all pointe work and swift directional changes.
- Epaulement in Transitions: The true magic happens in the transitions between steps. Use a nuanced epaulement—a slight glance over the shoulder, a counter-rotation of the head—to add drama and sophistication to even the simplest glissade or pas de bourrée.
Power and Poetry in Allegro
Allegro is the ultimate test of a dancer's athleticism and artistic expression. For the professional, allegro combinations are longer, more physically demanding, and must be performed with an air of effortless joy.
Sample Advanced Allegro Combination (for a right side start):
Glissade → Jeté entrelacé → (land 5th) → Sissonne ouverte en avant (to croisé effacé) → Tombé → Pas de bourrée dessous → (Corner) → Two travelling jetés (en manège) → Grand assemblé en tournant (en dedans) → Finish in croisé.
Artistic Focus: Use the glissade as a powerful spring, not a slide. The entrelacé should be a explosive, horizontal slice through the air. The sissonne ouverte must have ballon, hanging for a moment before the tombé. Most importantly, sell the finish. Your final pose is your exclamation point.
Remember, power in allegro comes from the plié. A deep, active plié is the engine for every jump. It must be quick and responsive, absorbing the landing and converting that energy immediately into the next movement.
Elevating the Entire Performance
These advanced techniques are not isolated feats; they are interconnected tools. The breath that initiates your port de bras is the same breath that fuels your jump. The strength in your feet enables the speed of your footwork. The epaulement that adorns your adagio must also be present in your fastest turns.
As seasoned dancers, our pursuit is one of synthesis. We must weave these technical threads together with musicality, emotional intention, and stylistic integrity. This season, challenge yourself in every rehearsal. Ask for the more complex combination. Drill the nuance. Listen to the music not for the count, but for the phrase. This is how we move beyond the steps and truly dance.
Now, go claim your stage.
