Hot Ballet How-Tos

How To: Apply ballet stage makeup

Before applying any make-up start by thoroughly cleansing the face and moisturizing after cleansing. Start with a good concealer to cover up and blemishes or dark spots. Apply liquid foundation with a stipple brush to ensure all over coverage of the entire face. Now using another brush apply your face powder, you can try MAC skin finish in your own personal skin shade. For the eyes, start with a white shadow and apply all over both lids. Now, take a medium-brown color shadow and apply to the ...

How To: Have correct ballet placement & postural alignment

In this how-to video, you will learn how to do proper placement or postural alignment in classical ballet. First, make sure the tail is down, the ribs are in, and the back as flat. Also, make sure the arches are up and fingers are relaxed. You want to create as much space between the armpit and hip as possible. Do not stick the rib cage out and lift up the pocket muscles. Let the back be free. The legs pull down to the ground while pulling everything up and out. Just remember, bring the bones...

How To: Tie pointe shoes properly

This video demonstrates how to properly tie ballet shoes before doing ballet. First, in addition to the ballet shoes, some paper towels will be needed for padding. Fold about three paper towels together until they form a rectangle approximately 3" by 4". This will be used to pad the toes. Now, pulling the show onto the foot, pull the strap over the top of the foot and place the folded paper towels around the toes and top of foot to pad. Pull the shoe snugly onto the foot. The side straps shou...

How To: Properly tie your pointe shoes

Elizabeth while showing us the way to tie your pointe shoes tells us to put the foot through the elastic first and then put some padding on and then stick your foot inside the shoe. Adjust the ankle part of the shoe properly after stretching the elastic up. You can use the thumb to get the shoe properly in. To tie the ribbon take the right side and take it up to the ankle and not further and same with the other end too. Make the two ends meet at the back of the leg. Then double knot the two o...

How To: Do a plie ballet position

The plie, many times misspelled as "plea", is commonly used ballet technique and is usually used to warm-up at the barre. When learning how to do a plie, it's important to note the differences between the demi-plie and the grand-plie, which is a deep knee bend taking your body all the way to the floor. Get your plie skills down with help from this dance tutorial.

How To: Do an arabesque in ballet

Getting into ballet? The arabesque ballet is a fairly difficult move and is usually put off until a dancer is conditioned and ready for such a move, usually around the third year of their training. Find out the proper way to do an arabesque with help from a ballet instructor in this video tutorial.

How To: Make a ballet tutu

Be a prima ballerina and get a tutu! Not sure which kind? Ballet tutus have taken on a variety of different forms over the years. Learn about all the different styles of tutus from an expert in this ballet video.

How To: Attach Elastic to Ballet Shoes

You just got a new pair of ballet shoes, but you're unsure how to sew on the elastics or where to place them. Depending on whether the shoes are canvas or leather, there are different ways to attach elastic to your ballet shoes. Learn how to connect the ballet elastics properly with advice from this video tutorial.

How To: Sew Ribbons onto Ballet Pointe Shoes

When a girl gets her pointe shoes, it signifies a graduation - A step up in the ballet world. The only problem with picking up your first pair of pointe shoes from a store, is that they don't come with the ribbons sewn on! Learn how to sew your own ribbons on your pointe shoes. Besides your pointe shoes and ribbon, you'll need a needle, thread and scissors to complete this task. Learn how to sew ribbons onto your pointe shoes with help from this tutorial.

How To: Clean ballet slippers

Got a pair of dirty ballet slippers? Learn the best & most effective way to clean your shoes up to make them look new. When cleaning ballet slippers, you need to take into consideration what type of ballet slipper it is. Determine the best way to clean your ballet slippers with help from this video.

How To: Get in the 5 basic ballet positions

Before you learn anything, the five basic ballet positions are what is needed first. In this video tutorial, learn the five basic ballet positions: first, second, third, fourth & fifth - and how to do them correctly with the right footwork & posture.

How To: Teach preschool level ballet

Interested in taking your ballet skills to the classroom? In this video, learn how to go about teaching preschoolers how to dance and how to get your youngsters excited about this new form of exercise and skill in their life! Get some great tips on games to teach your preschool students to keep them occupied and keep that smile on their face!

How To: Perform an elite turn combination

Jfkvideos teaches you how to perform an elite turn combination. This is a combination of a pirouette, coupe turns, a variation of the pirouette and a rotation in reverse. The combination involves a lot of moves and can be done with a lot of practice. Always make sure you're wearing the right outfit for this, as lots of mobility is necessary. The elite turn combination ends with a fall to the ground, so make sure you don't get too dizzy after all the spinning. Watch this video to learn how to ...

How To: Roll through your feet in pointe shoes

Breaking in those pointe shoes, and still unsure of how to use them? This how-to video demonstrates the proper way to roll through your feet in pointe shoes. Follow along with the ballet dancer and practice proper pointe technique to achieve the full range of motion on pointe shoes, without incurring an injury. Roll through your feet in pointe shoes.

How To: Teach the pas de chat ballet move to 3-4 year olds

If you want to teach your small children how to dance ballet, then this how to video is the place to start. In this lesson, North Dakota Ballet Company's Mary Noel shows you a fun way to teach young students how to do a pas de chat. The pas de chat means "step over the cat" in French. This method, set to the rhyme od "Jack Be Nimble" and uses small unlit candles. Watch this tutorial and you will be able to teach your children the pas de chat ballet dance move. Teach the pas de chat ballet mov...

How To: Teach the sissone ballet move to 3-4 year old children

If you want to teach your small children how to dance ballet, or any kind of dance movement, then this how to video is the place to start. In this lesson, North Dakota Ballet Company's Mary Noel demonstrates how she teaches her 3-4 year old students sissonne. This method, set to the music of "The Teddy Bear's Picnic," involves hula hoops and teddy bears. Watch this tutorial and you will be able to teach your children the sissone dance move. Teach the sissone ballet move to 3-4 year old children.

How To: Dance a petit allegro ballet dance

The best way to learn proper ballet for is to take lessons, but this how to video is a great supplement when you cannot get to the dance classroom. In this lesson, Lauren Green, a dancer with UB’s Zodiaque Dance Company, demonstrates an intermediate petit allegro combination. You must have an understanding of rudimentary ballet moves in order to attempt the petit allegro. Watch this how to video and with a bit of practice you will be able to master the petit allegro ballet move Dance a petit ...

How To: Do the eight ballet body positions

In this dance how to video, Larry Payne demonstrates the eight ballet body positions. These positions are the basis for all ballet moves. These basic moves are great for the beginning ballet dancer. Follow along with this tutorial and you can do the eight ballet body positions.

How To: Do the sissone a la seconde ferme ballet dance move

In this dance how to video, Larry Payne demonstrates the sissone a la seconde ferme (to the second position closed), then en avant (in front), finishing with a "changement." The step sissone is named for the person who invented it. ballet move. This is a basic move for the beginning ballet dancer. Follow along with this dance tutorial and you can do the sissone a la seconde ferme ballet move.

How To: Break in pointe shoes for ballet

I am often asked how to break in pointe shoes. Many girls are a little scared to do it as they are afraid of breaking the shoe and then having to go out and buy a new pair! This video will show you that there is really nothing to be worried about. It will help you to break in your shoes effectively!