Geeky Ballerina

Level 7 curriculum preview

ages 14 +

 

Key principle is suspension

• suspension is the ability to hold a shape in the air, balance is the ability to hold a shape while in contact with the ground

Key vocabulary is batterie

 

General guidelines:

• Advanced levels shift the focus from acquisition of vocabulary to using vocabulary to help prepare for performances.

• Students in the advanced levels should have nearly-flat 5th positions.

• Ideal class length is 1.5-2 hours, depending on rehearsal and performance schedule.

 

Level 7 Unit 1

 

Barre

tendu double w/o weight transfer

penché with leg devant

foot-in-hand stretches

 

Center

arabesque penché

4 pirouettes

4 continuous fouettés

grand jeté à la seconde

 

Level 7 Unit 2

 

Barre

double fondu

grand battement w/ piqué tendu

 

Center

pirouettes with leg à la seconde

passé sauté

échappé closing w/ 3 beats (prep for entrechat six)

 

. . .

 

Level 7 Unit 8

 

Barre

no new vocabulary

 

Center

sissone retombée (also called sissone doublée)

 

Level 7 Unit 9

 

Barre

no new vocabulary

 

Center

pas de ciseaux

cabriole derrière—petit

 

Expectations to advance to next level:

• ability to hold turnout well enough to see clean shapes in the air during jumps with battu

• grand allegro jumps are high enough to see sustained shape in the air

• at least 4 consecutive fouetté turns