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Since beginning jazz classes last month, I have noticed an improvement in flexibility and my ability to pick up choreography. Despite this, I need to work on increasing my performance through gaining confidence in the style. I also need to consider taking extra jazz and stretch classes before my assessment to gain a better knowledge of jazz dance. This should help me with technical exercises such as leaps as I am not currently reaching an adequate level of elevation.

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Throughout the last few weeks of working on the assessment exercises, I have realised that I need to work on varying my dynamics throughout, as well as increasing my performance levels and the power of my movements. I have noticed a decrease in confidence since the beginning of the year, however I need to ensure that this does not have a negative effect on my performance during the assessment. I have seen a small improvement in my elevation over the last couple of months, and I will continue to focus on this until the next assessment in May. An increase in flexibility is evident in the kick exercise from continuously stretching, as seen below, however I need to focus on utilising this in leaps as well to ensure that I am fully extending and attempting to reach a full split in the air.

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This video shows an improvement in pirouettes since my assessment, as I am remaining on relevé for longer and generally have more control. I’ve also considered using my arms to support my turns, however I need to continue to work on incorporating more power and a deeper plié in jazz fourth in order to increase my speed and fluidity.

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Through this video I have noticed an increase in flexibility through regular stretching, however I need to continue to focus on my right leg split as there is a considerable difference in flexibility to my left leg. I also need to work on engaging my back and core muscles to reduce the movement in my upper body.

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This video shows me performing a double pirouette, as turning has been a focus of mine since September. Although I am relatively comfortable with a double pirouette, you can see from the video that I have a habit of turning flat footed which is bad technique and may cause injuries. I didn't do very well when turning during my assessment, possibly due to being nervous, so I will ensure that I am very confident with this for my next jazz assessment. I also need to work on spotting as my turns should be faster.

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Since beginning ballet classes last month, I have already noticed a big improvement in my vocabulary and knowledge of exercises. I need to work on remaining focused throughout the lessons to increase my pick-up skills as I am less familiar with ballet and understanding the exercises will help me to improve at a faster rate. This should also help with improving my confidence in the style which sometimes has an effect on my level of performance, as this could be evident during my assessments. I have become much more comfortable with the frappé and fondu exercises; however I still feel unconfident when performing petit allegro due to being unsure of the foot placement.

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During adage, I have noticed a considerable improvement in the strength that is required to hold my leg at 90 degrees. This is due to a concentration on fitness and repeating the exercises to ensure that I am engaging the correct muscles. I need to continue to work on flexibility by stretching every day, as well as muscle strength to increase the height of my leg and to be able to hold it in place with ease and minimal movement. I should now focus on fully extending my feet for aesthetic purposes.

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From this video I have noticed that I need to focus on turning both legs out when performing pirouettes in ballet class. I have continually focused on strengthening my ankles throughout ballet class so that I can obtain the strength to stay on relevé when performing pirouettes, however I need to focus on engaging my core and straightening my standing leg to support this. In this video I also demonstrate grand battements, which has highlighted the need to work on my flexibility and use of the floor to reach full extension. From this video I realised that my arm placement has improved, and I have a much better understanding of ballet technique in general.

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Throughout learning and rehearsing exercises for the assessment, I have focused on the accuracy of my port de bras and travelling more during allegro sequences. I have also worked on coordinating the extension of my legs during the fondu exercise. I am feeling relatively confident with the barre exercises; however, I need to continue to work on my pirouettes and elevation for the centre work.  From watching videos of my pirouettes, I realised that I am not fully turning my legs out and my foot is not high enough against my supporting leg, which I will continue to correct. I have also been instructed to relax my shoulders as they tend to rise whilst I am turning.

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I failed petit allegro in my first ballet exam due to not extending my feet when I jump, a lack of elevation and incorrect foot placement, as demonstrated below. Since this, I have repeatedly focused on the precision of the movement and incorporating a deeper plie in order to jump higher. I have also worked on the fluidity of my arm movements and my retention levels.

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I have continually worked on my flexibility through stretching during and after class, as demonstrated in the below pictures. This improvement has been useful in all classes, specifically jazz and ballet.

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Whilst rehearsing for the upcoming assessment, I have noticed an improvement in my confidence and a better understanding of the dance style. This is particularly evident when performing the choreography as I feel that there is more freedom for interpretation. I also have a better understanding of alignment; however, I need to work on engaging all of the muscles in my back and core to ensure that my spine isn’t arched in a flat back, which can be seen below. I have ensured that I am confident with all the choreography/ exercises, so I now need to focus on using my plié and fully extending in all positions. I should also focus on the clarity of my arm movements and travelling more, particularly in the turning exercise.

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Last month I began to learn Horton technique, and I am still fairly unconfident with the style. In class I have worked on ensuring I have the correct placement, however I have struggled to incorporate enough performance. I believe that this will become easier once I am more familiar with contemporary technique. I should also begin to take photographs and videos of myself to check that my posture and alignment is correct, as this will be important in my assessment work, rather than solely relying on the mirror.

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From my assessment feedback, I realised that my posture, alignment and ease of movement has improved since September. I have also managed to retain the lateral exercise, which was something that I had initially struggled with, and incorporate more style into the exercise. Despite this, my overall grade was decreased by a lack of performance, so I will continue to focus on increasing my confidence within the style before my next assessment in May. Overall, I was happy with my improvement over the last term and I will begin to research the style outside of class to gain a better understanding.

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During contemporary classes this month, we have worked on more challenging sequences which have helped to improve my pick-up rate. I have attempted to incorporate more performance into these exercises to prepare me for my next assessment in May and hopefully raise my overall grade. There has also been more of a focus on stretching, which has continued to help with my flexibility. From my last assessment, I have learnt to video all of the assessment work as it is set so that I can rehearse between classes and therefore focus on my performance and technique throughout rather than choreography.

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Since starting to learn Horton technique, I have become more comfortable with the stylistic quality of the movement, as well as gaining a better anatomical knowledge to aid my placement in these positions. Since September I have worked on fully extending through my entire body, whilst engaging the muscles in my back in order to keep my shoulders in place. As this is a style I am less comfortable with, I will continue to work on my retention to enable me to gain confidence and further improve my performance quality for the next assessment.