Teaching Cecchetti

When was the last time you saw this Grand Allegro Long Lost Step? 💙🩵

A follow up to the pointe step we posted earlier this week, this Grand Allegro is a variation of the spring to relevé step, but instead of the enveloppé en pointe it becomes a full-body jump!

Similarly, this step requires that the dancer use the plié to the fullest extent in order to spring up to attitude. The dancer must apply extra pressure in the plié, and then spring into the attitude. It looks easy but requires a tremendous amount of control!

Who’s ready to try this one?!

🧑‍🩰 .faria
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Revisiting a Long Lost Step from the fall - Brisé Telemaque!

Rhythm is incredibly important here; this step is a true petit allegro without much air in the jump. We emphasize footwork, skill, technicality, and musicality in this step alone!

It’s also important to get a clear crossing with both feet equally just above the ankle bone right where the foot is placed in frappe. We make sure the Brisé is not done with a bent knee, and that it’s a real degagé from the end of the foot.

Let us know if you’ve heard of this step! 🩵💙

🎹 Renee Ong
💃🏻 Giulia Faria, Mónica Lima

When was the last time you saw this Long Lost Step that teaches dancers to push from the heel when doing spring relevé? 💙🩵

This step — which can be done en pointe as well as en l’air as a jump — is a great exercise for utilizing spring relevé. While the instinct might be to step up to pointe for the attitude, this step requires that the dancer utilizes the plié to its fullest extent as a preparation for the spring relevé, which is a hallmark of the Cecchetti technique.

Let us know if you plan to try this! ✨

💃🏻 .faria
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When was the last time you saw this Cecchetti adagio Pas de Chaconne? 💙🩵

We teach this adagio as learned directly from Margaret Craske, and note that the promenade turn à la seconde can be done as a progression. First, the dancer must temps lié to à la seconde, and then they can add in the turn.

This tricky adagio takes time and practice to achieve, and definitely challenges dancers for balance, technique, and stamina.

Let us know if you recognize this! ✨

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When was the last time you saw this Long Lost Step, Anna Pavlova’s Night? 💙🩵

Taught by Miss Craske, this step from Anna Pavlova’s Night solo is both a physical and mental challenge, as it pushes the dancer to light up their imagination while maintaining the technique and artistry of the step.

Want to dive deeper into Cecchetti technique and learn steps like this one? Make sure to follow and take class from the Diana Byer Legacy Project, now available on Dancio ✨

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💃🏻 .faria

Happy Birthday, Cecchetti! 🩵💙

Enrico Cecchetti was born on June 21, 1850, so today we celebrate his method, his pupils, and his legacy. We are grateful to be able to pass down his teachings through Miss Craske and Diana Byer. Here’s to another year!

💃🏻 .faria
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When was the last time you saw Pirouette en Dedans to Arabesque? 🩵💙

While this step may seem simple, it requires a tremendous amount of clean technique and gesture. The placement of passé, the spot of the head for the pirouette (emphasis on pirouette where the second turn is quicker than the first, not just two spins), the quarter pointe — there are a lot of small parts here that often go unnoticed.

It is this technique rooted in simplicity that allows dancers to morph into other styles and genres of dance. Without it, we would lose a lot of the foundations that made ballet what it is today.

Let us know if you’re going to try this in class!

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Diana is teaching a pop-up open class TOMORROW at 10am in-person and on Zoom at New York Theatre Ballet Studios! 🩵💙

To join class on Zoom:
All payments must be made via Venmo by 15 minutes prior to the start of class. Please make your Zoom name match the name associated with your Venmo account so that you will be admitted into the class. When you sign in, you will be held in the Zoom waiting room until your payment is verified and you are admitted into the class.

Venmo: TEACHING CECCHETTI

Let us know if you’re planning to join & we’ll send you the Zoom link!

When was the last time you saw The Friday Step? 💙🩵✨

This brisk petit allegro is super fun to attempt, especially the full body movement. As opposed to solely letting the feet do the heavy lifting, this one involves full body bends and dynamic height — it’s a challenge but it’s well worth it!

Let us know if you end up trying it🩵💙

💃🏻 .faria
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