Throwback Thursday and Olga Jordan

Throwback Thursday and Olga Jordan

Born in Russia in 1907 Olga Jordan joined the Kirov Ballet after graduating from the Leningrad Choreographic School in 1926. She studied with Vaganova and, according to https://jorgen-w.livejournal.com/6969.html: "She was a strong and tempermental dancer with brilliant technique".

Some of her notable roles included Jeanna in Flames of Paris (1932), Odile in Swan Lake (1933), as well as leading roles in Esmeralda and Laurencia. Beginning in 1950 she became a teacher at the Vaganova Ballet School and during the 1960s she taught at the Moscow Ballet School and the bolshoi Theatre.

She died in 1971, aged 63-64 and her cremated ashes were scattered.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #323:

“Olga Jordan was said to have brilliant technique.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-yMD8yHOp8

Quote of the Day:

“Stars don’t beg the world for attention; their beauty forces us to look up.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Wild Wednesday Helping

Wild Wednesday Helping

It may appear that the male dancer does a great deal of muscular lifting when it comes to partnering his ballerina. But this is only partially true.

Yes, there is strength, (and lots of it) involved, but there is a secret. Just before the lady is lifted, she applies part of the force herself – by jumping and/or by a plié. At this exact moment, the gentleman matches her plié/jump and uses the impetus of both parties to achieve the lift. It’s all a matter of timing, and this timing is critical or the pas de deux could look more like championship wrestling.

When the ballerina descends from the lift, her partner must use his strength to “help her down”, making the whole operation appear effortless and the lady weightless. Ah, if only that were true. Sigh.

Like so many things in ballet, it’s all a matter of illusion!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #27g:

“The gentleman helps the lady down from a lift.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlUmbnWaTs4

Quote of the Day:

“All problems are illusions of the mind.”
― Eckhart Tolle, Practicing the Power of Now: Essential Teachings, Meditations, and Exercises from the Power of Now

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Terminology Tuesday Portée

Terminology Tuesday Portée

This term is pretty much self-explanatory. Portée [pawr-TAY] means carried. Like the word porteur (see Terminology Secret #87) that means carrier, portée means any step that travels through the air from one point to another.

Portée can also refer to the carrying of a ballerina by her partner.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Terminology Secret #90:

“Portée means carried.

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P7kqNjaqHg

Quote of the Day:

“Your thoughts carry you wherever you want to go.”
― Israelmore Ayivor, Leaders' Watchwords

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Mad Monday #2 Foot

Mad Monday #2 Foot

Years ago a car rental agency had an advertising campaign that stated they were “No. 2” so they try harder to please the customer. In ballet there is often a “No. 2” foot, especially in jumps.

This is the following foot. It’s often forgotten because the focus is on the leading foot. This causes the No.2 foot to flop around (gasp!) because it never gets fully stretched. Sigh. And this prevents the dancer from producing a complete push and/or follow through for the step. And that’s necessary to make the jump/step work effectively.

Therefore, in any jump, “try harder” to think about the No. 2 foot. And don’t forget about it in basic steps like glissade where the following foot is often a problem.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #15kkk:

“Don’t forget the No. 2  foot in jumps.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSazovnUPW8

Quote of the Day:

“Each mistake teaches you something new about yourself. There is no failure, remember, except in no longer trying. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Chris Bradford, The Way of the Sword

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Sunday Rainbow and Stars

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQMCoF7g254

Quote of the Day:

“Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Superstitious Saturday Bees

Superstitious Saturday Bees

Here we are in beautiful spring and many people’s thoughts are turning to the outdoors - especially now when many of us are sheltering at home. So although this superstition isn’t related to the performing arts, it is an interesting one.

Telling the bees is an ancient tradition, believed to come from western Europe. It also appears in the Appalachian mountains of the U.S. And it is just what it sounds like: talking to bees.

To keep their bees producing, farmers would talk to them, telling them all about the human goings-on every day. They believed this passing of information was critical for the bees – without it they wouldn’t produce honey.

This superstition also involved keeping the bees informed of life’s milestones from birth to death. If a death occurred in the family, the beehives had to be draped with black fabric so the bees could mourn. Otherwise, they would perish too.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Superstitious Secret #204:

“Telling the bees is a superstition from western Europe.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddXCBVcYzgc

Quote of the Day:

“Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.”
― John Muir

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Fun Friday Upside Down Zipper

Fun Friday Upside Down Zipper

I love zippers. They are such a great prop and they provide a great image for several things in ballet. But most importantly, the mental image of a zipper helps dancers achieve -and maintain - correct posture. And, as we all know, posture is the most important thing in ballet technique.

Something to imagine all the time is this: two zippers: One that you pull up from the pubic bone to the belly button; the other that you pull down (the upside down zipper) from the mid-sternum to the belly button. Up and down zippers that meet in the middle (the belly button).

It is helpful for teachers to use actual zippers to demonstrate this concept. And it’s fun!

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #1jjj:

“Imagine two zippers – one upside down.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvLRM-a8M9A

Quote of the Day:

“A grandparent will help you with your buttons, your zippers, and your shoelaces and not be in any hurry for you to grow up.”

 - Erma Bombeck

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Throwback Thursday and Catherine Chislova

Throwback Thursday and Catherine Chislova

Catherine Gavrilovna Chislova was born on September 21 1846. She became a dancer with the Imperial Ballet, often partnered by Felix Kschessinsky.

But her greatest fame came from her relationship with Grand Duke Nicolas Nikolaevich. In the 1860s the Duke fell in love with Chislova and their affair caused a scandal, because he was already married. Nevertheless, he set up a house for Chislova directly across from his palace and when Chislova wanted him to visit she would light two candles and place them in the window.

She gave up her dance career for him, and in 1868 the first of their five children was born. When the Duke’s wife moved to a convent in 1881, he arranged for Chislova to have a change in her class status so the children would be granted the surname Nikolaiev. Sadly, the couple was never able to marry since Chislova died unexpectedly on December 13, 1889.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Dance History Secret #322:

“Catherine Chislova was a Russian ballet dancer.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXzrLAis_Yc

Quote of the Day:

“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.”
― Lemony Snicket

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Wacky Wednesday Round Top

Wacky Wednesday Round Top

Earlier this week I talked about following an imaginary dotted line with the leading foot during a series of turns. See Ballet Secret #14vvv.

Here’s a way to visualize the proper path for a series of turns moving in a circle. Picture a giant, round table placed in the exact center of the stage or the room. The turns move along the outside edge of the round top of this table – skirting close to it but never moving away from it or (gasp!) into it.

Sometimes it helps to visualize this table as having a glass, or clear top.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Ballet Secret #14www:

“Imagine a giant, round table in the center.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgfU2Fqj7zI

Quote of the Day:

“To share a table with someone is to share everything.”
― Paul Krueger, Steel Crow Saga

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/

Terminology Tuesday Pas Composé

Terminology Tuesday Pas Composé

Pas composé [pah kawn-poh-ZAY] means compound step and it is a term of the French school of training.

It refers to any combination of steps, the same as compound steps or enchaînement (which also mean a combination of steps).

Sometimes the answers are simple.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets

Terminology Secret #89:

“Pas composé means compound step.”

Link of the Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qHFoFTEdDw

Quote of the Day:

“We are not creators; only combiners of the created. Invention isn't about new ingredients, but new recipes. And innovations taste the best.”
― Ryan Lilly

Help expand the knowledge base!

Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!

Check out my coloring books! They are available on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Tree-Coloring-Debra-Rogers/dp/0980191947/

https://www.amazon.com/Frames-Borders-Backgrounds-Color-Rogers/dp/0980191955/

Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:

http://www.balletconnections.com/?s=debrawebbrogers

Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Violet-Rightmire-256648280108/timeline/

Or visit my Pinterest page:

https://www.pinterest.com/debtutu/

For interesting articles involving mental health:

 http://balletwebb.blogspot.com/2018/05/