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balletowoman

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About balletowoman

  • Birthday 02/10/1970

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  • Connection to/interest in ballet** (Please describe. Examples: fan, teacher, dancer, writer, avid balletgoer)
    ballet education mostly... but anything relating to ballet!
  • City**
    Scotland (but French)
  1. I would try to turn the question upside down and instead of saying 'we're all equal' and 'you're not special'... why not say 'we're all of equal value', 'we're ALL special', 'we're all rising at the same level'... That seems to me more appropriate in relation to dance than saying that nobody is above somebody else... If you say that EVERYONE is to aspire to do better, then, nobody is considered less well as a result. ;) I see things differently maybe (being French?), but to me 'you're not special' is very demeaning! That may be what you were talking about (this European thing going on) I think it's hard enough to motivate a child and make them feel worthwhile (they're perfectly capable, perfectly skillful, and yet, a lot think they're useless! )
  2. Epaulement is either set by the choreographer, or is 'created' and invented by the dancer... A lot of the personality of the dancer is coming through in the way they use their épaulement. That's why sometimes, even though some work is dictated by the choreographer, you hear that such or such dancer has great épaulement. It's a little flourish that is allowed to add something to the strict technique of ballet (not many flourishes are allowed, apart from this one!!) The set épaulements are ouvert, croisé, effacé... But what is generally called 'épaulement' for a dancer (and you don't refer to those set positioning of the body in space) is how they use their upper body in their dance. Epaulement comes from 'epaule' (shoulder) so, it's ultimately the use of shoulders in various ports de bras, but it's now agreed that it's the whole upper body movements that a dancer adds to act her/his role...
  3. I didn't know she was so small... I saw a documentary while I was in France over the Christmas period, and someone in this (was it Brigitte Lefevre? Can't remember ) said that she was really feminine and used this in her dancing, and I think that's the quality I like most in Claire-Marie: she is a woman and it shows! I don't mean to say that it doesn't show in others, but with her, it's like she oozes sensuality and sexyness (and I'm a woman myself! wonder what my boyfriend would say when he'd see her dance?) :rolleyes:
  4. Well, I for one, read the articles in Libe and I was totally shocked!! You will say 'well, so what?' I will reply that it is exceptional for me to be appaled by such situation, because I'm FOR discipline... And plenty of it. I believe the more you let those kids do whatever they want, the more they'll walk all over you. Kids being what they are, they actually LIKE discipline, and they function better with it. So, am I contradicting myself? No, because I think a truly harsh, focused ballet class is necessary to progress, and a very demanding schedule, very demanding teachers are what will be required to make it to the top. BUT (and that's an enormous one) I think the article mostly focuses on what's happening AFTER class (and that's what shocked me most)... We will all agree that constructive criticism, corrections, whatever you want to call it, is not meant to be a personal criticism, that once you pass the door of the studio, it's finished, you close the topic and go away (or rather, ideally, you go to your room and think again about your mistakes, and remember to correct them in your next class ) but what I want to say is that, the best thing a teacher can do is give plenty of corrections, but still leads the child with an arm around their shoulders (if you see the image I'm trying to convey here)... At POB, it's not the case (or at least, that's what the article wanted to highlight... And OF COURSE, you have to take it with a pinch of salt, because you'll always have one or two who are just bitter and who will NEVER be satisfied, no matter what atmosphere there is) Indeed teenagers are not always satisfied with... well, not with much in fact! But the school is for ALL kids, age 8 onwards, and that's an important point. At some stage in the article, it is mentioned that kids are not allowed to go outside of the building, speak to the person in charge of the dormitory, are forced to finish their plates, are not allowed to go on the internet... Well, all this to me is like putting them in a cage with a bit of bread and a glass of water (and NO noise allowed!) That's more than cruel, isn't it?? I agree that some discipline is required, but if kids have no opportunities to report their frustrations, cannot talk to anyone, are not allowed to cry (!!) or are not allowed to 'let go' a bit, what are they going to become? Great dancers... That's for sure, but at what price? Actually, I had to edit my post, because in my last sentence, I said 'great dancers'... Well, my mistake, you CAN'T be a great dancer if you're unhappy, you'll just be a dancing machine. Technically impecable, but artistically lifeless. :eek:
  5. Pujol was 'appointed' to 'etoile' only behind the curtain!! It's such a disappointment (I'm sure; unfortunately, I wasn't there for that one!) not to be able to share such great moments with dancers... The public kind of 'guessed' it, as they apparently clapped again as they heard what was going on behind the curtains, but it wasn't 'public'... I don't think they do it overtly anymore, as they used to do in the past...
  6. I have not had her as a teacher, but I know her from various tapes I saw on POB. (So, it's not actually an accurate profile, but only my opinion!) ;) To me, she seems SO devoted to make everyone succeeds that she is a credit to all. She seems to be a strict woman, who doesn't take any nonsense... But I guess that's what you expect from a good teacher! She tried to change a lot of things at POB, but she still regrets not having done more (she says there is too many things to do in her time!) She will be retiring in 2004 from her post at POB I think...
  7. I saw the 2 pigeons at the weekend... Fabulous! Very nice arrangements, certainly not boring! The dancer (can't remember her name... Former Royal Ballet principal) could put her emotions splendidly across. I almost cried as she lost her lover... The 'gypsy' girl was also good and quick, although not as secure in her landings (maybe because she had to do so many quick and hard steps) The comical effect were also fabulous. I always admire the Scottish ballet for their production, which never disappoint (even my boyfriend liked it!)
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