Dean Speer
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780813034386
- eISBN:
- 9780813046280
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813034386.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Dance
This book provides a look into the careers and teaching philosophies of eighteen of the world's most respected ballet masters, principals, and artistic directors. The author sat down with prominent ...
More
This book provides a look into the careers and teaching philosophies of eighteen of the world's most respected ballet masters, principals, and artistic directors. The author sat down with prominent ballet pedagogues and asked each a standard set of questions, including “What do we mean when we say someone has beautiful technique?” and “How did you become a dancer?” Featuring such artists as Peter Boal (Artistic Director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet) and Bene Arnold (first Ballet Mistress of the San Francisco Ballet), this volume offers insights into the nature of both performance and artistic instruction. The author's approach reveals convergences among these world-class talents, despite their varying pedagogical backgrounds and divisions.Less
This book provides a look into the careers and teaching philosophies of eighteen of the world's most respected ballet masters, principals, and artistic directors. The author sat down with prominent ballet pedagogues and asked each a standard set of questions, including “What do we mean when we say someone has beautiful technique?” and “How did you become a dancer?” Featuring such artists as Peter Boal (Artistic Director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet) and Bene Arnold (first Ballet Mistress of the San Francisco Ballet), this volume offers insights into the nature of both performance and artistic instruction. The author's approach reveals convergences among these world-class talents, despite their varying pedagogical backgrounds and divisions.
Dean Speer
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780813034386
- eISBN:
- 9780813046280
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813034386.003.0014
- Subject:
- Music, Dance
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Francia Russell, who was a soloist with the New York City Ballet and Co-artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB). She is now ...
More
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Francia Russell, who was a soloist with the New York City Ballet and Co-artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB). She is now staging Balanchine ballets all over the world and guest-teaching, including at PNB. Russell defines technique as not just a matter of learning steps, but also about shaping the body, the instrument, creating sculpture with the body, shaping what we call “line.” Technique can only be understood gradually, and a good teacher presents the information in an intelligent sequence, based on experience, that will result in a fine end-product.Less
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Francia Russell, who was a soloist with the New York City Ballet and Co-artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB). She is now staging Balanchine ballets all over the world and guest-teaching, including at PNB. Russell defines technique as not just a matter of learning steps, but also about shaping the body, the instrument, creating sculpture with the body, shaping what we call “line.” Technique can only be understood gradually, and a good teacher presents the information in an intelligent sequence, based on experience, that will result in a fine end-product.
Dean Speer
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780813034386
- eISBN:
- 9780813046280
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813034386.003.0004
- Subject:
- Music, Dance
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Peter Boal. Boal was appointed Pacific Northwest Ballet's artistic director in 2005, after he had retired as a principal dancer with the ...
More
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Peter Boal. Boal was appointed Pacific Northwest Ballet's artistic director in 2005, after he had retired as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and as a faculty member of the School of American Ballet. He defines technique as being able to look into the “toolbox”—knowing, taking, and using a vocabulary and understanding the tools for applying it. For example, knowing exactly where tendu front is, where 90 degrees is, what is the angle “box” of elbow to head and neck—knowing how to offer these tools to an audience.Less
This chapter describes the career and teaching philosophy of Peter Boal. Boal was appointed Pacific Northwest Ballet's artistic director in 2005, after he had retired as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and as a faculty member of the School of American Ballet. He defines technique as being able to look into the “toolbox”—knowing, taking, and using a vocabulary and understanding the tools for applying it. For example, knowing exactly where tendu front is, where 90 degrees is, what is the angle “box” of elbow to head and neck—knowing how to offer these tools to an audience.
