Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 8/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Some of the music I write seems to have a balletic feel, which made me wonder: during performance, are the dancers'
steps supposed to move in time with the music?
I've watched the Nutcracker a few times, and they don't really seem to, at least on tv.

ANSWER: Hi David. Maybe the sound and visual wasn't synched.....classical ballet traditionally has the steps go with the music - tho' pro dancers get to put their own phrasing into their solos. But they shouldn't be so off that someone notices.

I know that as a dancer and choreographer I fit the steps to the music - I couldn't do otherwise, it would be like trying to breathe against your own pulse or something. (ok bad metaphor but you probably know what I mean).

Dancers, even the best, also have an especially musical talent, or they don't. I wrote an article about it - if you're interested it's at

http://balletshoesandpointeshoes.blogspot.com/2008/04/musicality-in-ballet-class

All the best, Dianne

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again -
I did a site search, which established that choreography is not written down (sigh). So about choreographic lesson plans,
(big smile) ne-e-e-ever mind!
David Lawrence

Answer
Actually ballet choreography is written down in Benesh or Laban notation. What area of choreography do you want to learn? I believe I have seen choreographic lessons advertised - on DVD. I'll try to track where I saw them over the next couple of days...and I will let you know what I found. You might find them too!

Netflix and Blockbuster on line have a huge stock of dance DVD's - I have yet to see them all...much modern ballet too.

You could check the http://www.theballetstore.com for DVD's, and I'll look around the net.

Cheers, Dianne