Natalie Ottaviano Ballet IV by Natalie Ottaviano

Post due Sept 2nd

nottaviano — 2024-08-31 22:55:21 UTC

I am a junior and a Theatre and Dance major. I have taken technique classes every semester I have been here and have danced in In Motion 2024 and Studio Sessions 2024. During my first week, I think just getting back into the style of ballet and finding my balance was a little difficult. I danced this Summer, but did not do any ballet. What made me the most excited was how fun the class was and how little pieces of feedback have already helped me have goals for improving.

Post due Sept 16th

nottaviano — 2024-09-18 19:27:38 UTC

All of the sections talked about aspects of these foundational exercises that we have also focused on in class, like where the weight should be placed during certain exercises or how to engage to reach your fullest turnout. What struck me specifically was the mention of breath in the plies section. It discusses exhaling during the descent of your plie and inhaling during the ascent to release the tension that happens when you execute this motion. Of course some tension is natural, as the article says, but I tend to hold a lot of tension in balances and plies especially, so this was something that is and will always be something for me to focus and work on.

Post due Sept 30th

nottaviano — 2024-09-26 02:01:44 UTC

What is a consistent task for me is keeping my pelvis as neutral as I can. I naturally have an anteriorly tilted pelvis, I really have to focus on engaging in a way that brings my pelvis where it needs to be. This was definitely enforced by what was said in the reading, specifically in the grand battement section. During a battement to the front, the pelvis should be displaced as little as possible, which I have been working on. However, the article said that to the side and the back, the pelvis will naturally tilt but that this should be in response to the kick and not anticipated. That is, I need to work on keeping my pelvis aligned until the kick makes it so I no longer can, then returning to that alignment as the leg comes down.

Post due Oct 28th

nottaviano — 2024-10-28 02:58:50 UTC

Video: The thing that stuck out to me the most was the two moments towards the beginning and at the end when the camera just focused on the hands on the barre. These parts really just kind of encapsulated the piece as well as what we have been talking about in class about the barre being your partner.

Film: I have never gotten to hear these in depth of stories about kids with disabilities learning any kind of art. It was incredibly inspiring and I just loved learning about all the different ways ballet has helped them, whether it be doing better in school, doing better socially, learning fine motor skills, etc.

Masterclass: The masterclass had a lot more modern/contemporary technique incorporated in it than i expected. Of course I knew coming in it would have elements of both ballet and contemporary, but I didn't expect them to be that meshed. It was definitely challenging because when I have done ballet it has never been mixed with other styles in that way. I enjoyed it, but would be interested to see how different people mesh these styles to create contemporary ballet.

Past 3 Weeks: Overall, I have been feeling good about class. I honestly feel as though this is the perfect level for me, as there are moments when I'm challenged but never struggling, which allows me to work hard and see results.