The Art of Pointework.The Art of Pointework Ballet Dynamics. Four DVDs. 216 mins. $199.80. A trademark of Finis Jhung's teaching over the years has been his holistic approach holistic approach A term used in alternative health for a philosophical approach to health care, in which the entire Pt is evaluated and treated. See Alternative medicine, Holistic medicine. . The Pointework series emphasizes not only the arches and legs, but also the dancers' placement of heels, hips, and shoulders. It is enhanced by the choice of demonstrators: Ashlee Knapp in Levels 1 and 2 and Michele Wiles wile n. 1. A stratagem or trick intended to deceive or ensnare. 2. A disarming or seductive manner, device, or procedure: the wiles of a skilled negotiator. 3. Trickery; cunning. in Levels 3 and 4. To see Knapp, now a corps member of New York City Ballet New York City Ballet, one of the foremost American dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded by Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine as the Ballet Society in 1946. , at age 14, stretching her feet, putting on her pointe shoes 'Pointe shoes', also referred to as toe shoes, are a special type of shoe used by ballet dancers for pointework. They developed from the desire to appear weightless, and sylph- like onstage and have evolved to allow extended periods of movement on the tips of the toes , and doing the barre exercises is fascinating. With her colt-like body, she seems to be made for ballet. Jhung presents his exercises clearly. Wiles, a soloist with American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre, one of the foremost international dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded in 1937 as the Mordkin Ballet and reorganized as the Ballet Theatre in 1940 under the direction of Lucia Chase and Rich Pleasant. , demonstrates Jhung's center exercises, building sequentially from walking to pirouettes. As she performs in real-time, slow motion, and freeze-frame, Jhung provides a running commentary. Some corrections and comments are helpful, such as when he points out how she is preparing for the next step. At other times, they are superfluous. Nevertheless these DVDs are beneficial to both dancers and instructors. For students, Knapp and Wiles give beautiful images--and inspiration--for how to perform ballet's vocabulary. For teachers, the DVDs are full of clear ideas for teaching and strengthening. The piano music by Scott Killian--ranging from tango flavors to contemporary, compositions--is wonderfully varied. See www.fjballet.com. |
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