AboutKT Expertise I can answer questions dealing with the "how tos" of jazz, ballet, hip hop and lyrical. I can help get over creative blocks with song ideas and inspiration to help create. I can answer choreography questions and techniques to help better your dancing and/or teaching.
Experience I have been dancing for 19 years in the styles of jazz, ballet, hip-hop, and contemporary. I studied at a studio rated one of the top 100 studios in the nation, then moved on to The Ohio State University to study dance. I have been teaching summer dance camps for five years. I've been choreographing solos and group routines at a local studio and for groups in my state for three years. I have also attended numerous conventions and workshops throughout the nation. Through the winter I judge for a dance team circuit in the styles of Pom, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip-Hop.
Education/Credentials I will soon be graduating with a bachelors degree in early childhood development and a minor in dance education.
Awards and Honors This past year I was given one of only twelve scholarships out of four hundred students from Broadway Dance Center's the Pulse.
Expert: KT Date: 1/30/2008 Subject: Turns and Leaps
Question I am trying to train myself to be more flexbile and dance!
The program I want to get into mention that i need to know the basic leaps and basic turns. Now I have dance when I was younger but it has been awhile.
SO what is the actualy terms and how to's with the all the turns and leaps. It is a program base on hip hop/modern style
Answer Hi Lisa! To me the basic leaps and basic turns would involve the following...
Leaps
A Grande Jete (or a split leap) is the most basic leap. This involves both legs going into a split position in the air (both straight)The main idea for this is to think about leaping over a puddle in the rain. You are going to want to get a big plie (bending of the knees) to push off for this leap. You will also want to plie when you land for safety of your knees. Be sure to really get both legs up as high as you can and to really straighten and pointe those feet.
Turns
A basic turn would start with a chaine turn. Broken down, the feet in a chaine turn are in first position and on releve (on the balls of your feet) You are simply turning around yourself (a right chaine over your Right shoulder and a left over your left shoulder).So you are basically traveling along the floor with your feet constantly stepping in first position.
The next most basic turn would be a pirouette. This can be done in many different ways and styles. You are basically turning in one spot on the floor on one leg while the other leg is in a passe position (pulling the knee up to connect to the other leg) The passe can be turned in or turned out. The supporting leg should be pulled up and straightened while the foot is in a high releve. Arms are usually held in a first position (think of holding a beach ball in front of your chest). Be sure to spot all of your tuns and keep pulling up.
