Posts Tagged ‘movement’

By Mignon Furman

Tip 1
Repetition, repetition, repetition—the only way to perfect a ballet movement is to do it over and over. Think of concert pianists who practice for hours to perfect only their fingering. Then think of dancers who have to perfect feet, legs, head, upper body, arms. How can you make this constant repetition enjoyable and meaningful for young dancers?

The trick is to do the same movement in different ways. Changing the timing, the placement of the head or arms, or the direction of the step adds interest and new challenges to the familiar.

Tip 2
Boredom is the greatest sin in teaching. A teacher who is infected with boredom spreads it to her students. Do not let burnout burn you up. Motivate yourself and prepare your class well. Act enthusiastic and smile a lot. Attend a teachers’ course to be refreshed and inspired to instill the joy of dance in your students. Remember, it was that joy that made you choose to become a teacher.

Take this fun quiz to see how much you know about dance

 

By Marcia Aller

 

As a teacher your role has many facets, but your long-term goal should be to produce well-rounded and educated performers. Including fun facts in your classes will impress your students and keep them interested. Take this quiz yourself, and then share it with your students and staff. If you are enjoying these mini-quizzes, let us know—we’d be happy to test your knowledge even further!

 

1. Translate “grands ronds de jambe en l’aire.”

A. large circles of the leg in the air

B. large rounded jumping steps

C. large air turns

 

2. The thickest, strongest tendon in the body can be torn by landing improperly after a jump. What is it called?

A. soleus

B. Achilles

C. quadriceps

 

3. Complete this series: Shuffle, scuffle, ___________.

A. smoffle

B. sniffle

C. riffle

 

4. What step might Garfield do?

A. a pouncé (to pounce upon)

B. la clomber (a climbing movement)

C. pas de chat (cat step)

 

5. If a dance movement has a prolonged quality, it is said to be what?

A. sustained

B. frozen

C. undefined

 

6. Composers Johann Strauss II and Josef Strauss wrote the “Pizzicato Polka” in 1869. Which French composer wrote a “Pizzicato Polka” in 1876?

A. Léo Delibes

B. Frédéric Chopin

C. Louis Moreau Gottschalk

 

7. What is another name for the soft-shoe?

A. essence

B. glide

C. balance

 

8. What is an emboîté?

A. a small, controlled movement

B. a jumped turn that travels

C. a type of stretch done at the barre

 

9. Which ballroom dance follows the pattern of three quick steps (on beats 3 and 4) and two slower steps (on 1 and 2)?

A. mambo

B. cha-cha

C. tango

 

10. In which country are the “Dance of Happiness,” “Dance of Spring,” and “Flower Dance” performed at festivals?

A. China

B. Japan

C. North and South Korea

 

There is no ranking system in this quiz, but you do get a gold star for trying it!

 

Answers: 1–A, 2–B, 3–C, 4–C, 5–A, 6–A, 7–A, 8–B, 9–B, 10–A