The Art of Teaching Turns (1998)

From $15

Taught by Finis Jhung.

Levels 2 & Up. All Regions DVD. 65 minutes. 13 Exercises.

  • Available as a DVD.
  • Available to Stream Instantly Online.

Description

Your students want to turn. You wish they could. Well, they can, and they will. Now you can see and learn the “secrets” to dazzling turns. Whether it’s a male virtuoso finishing 9 turns on demi-pointe or a ballerina doing 4 on pointe while raising her arms, it all comes from the preparation. The video begins with chaînés turns for beginners, and gradually progresses with various turns to the advanced level on pointe. Exercises include a slow promenade that teaches the most crucial elements of the pirouette preparation; simple pirouettes en dehors and en dedans; en dehors turns in large poses that travel across the floor; en dedans turns in poses that travel; and then Cheryl Sladkin, the demonstrator, puts on her pointe shoes to show you piqué turns en dedans and en dehors; fouetté turns and a traveling combination with leg changes. Notice how Cheryl improves with each correction that Finis gives. There is method to this madness. The CD music is by Anna Korab.

  1. Introduction
  2. Placement & mechanics, preparing for châinés turns
  3. Single châinés turns
  4. Continuous châiné turns
  5. Promenade for pirouette en dehors, en dedans
  6. Pirouettes from 4th position, en dehors & en dedans
  7. Waltz, pirouettes en dehors & en dedans, châinés
  8. En dehors turns across the floor: passé, à la seconde, attitude, châinés
  9. En dedans turns across the floor: passé, à la seconde, arabesque, attitude
  10. Piqué turn en dedans (on pointe)
  11. Piqué turns en dehors (on pointe)
  12. Fouetté rond de jambe en tournant (on pointe)
  13. Pas de bourrée, fouetté turn, soutenu, pirouette en dedans (on pointe)

Additional information

Weight .125 lbs
Dimensions N/A

Play the DVD in 3 modes: Full Class, Individual Exercises or Workout Mode where you can run the exercises without instruction. Once you’ve learned the exercise and heard the instructions, you may want to go straight to the demonstration with music so you can have a work-out without interruption.

You can find this feature on these videos.

The following DVDs don’t have the SPECIAL FEATURE but do allow you to skip the Instructions and go straight to the demonstration with music by using the SKIP FORWARD button:

  1. The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique: Stretch, Turn-out, & Extension
  2. The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique: The Power Barre
Streaming Playback

Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature may be found here.

Most streaming videos do not offer multiple playback modes. Each DVD chapter/exercise is presented as an individual video. Once you complete an exercise, the next will play automatically. There is currently no “workout mode” available for most streaming videos.

I’ve been doing your DVDs with my mother in her 60s. It’s helping her out a lot with learning to keep her balance and have good posture. Even the slightest movements have helped strengthen her muscles. We love you.”

— Trula Hudelson

“I want to thank you with all my heart for sharing your gift with all of us. I have loved ballet my whole life. Although my family did their best, they could not afford to send me to lessons for long. I was a cadet at West Point between 1999 and 2002. I used to run 2 miles each way to dance with six year-olds. I wish I would have known you were only a train ride away. I have a very fragmented dance education, and you have helped me put those pieces together. This renewed dancing life has also very unexpectedly allowed me to heal some emotional wounds I suffered during my military times. I am so grateful. I live in a rural area and have opened a small dance studio with the hopes of hiring a teacher for my kids and their friends. I decided I would refresh and start teaching until I could find one. I’m still teaching confidently and happily because of your clear direction. I hope to attend your workshop next year.”

—Josie Posir

“Your work on these DVD’s is remarkable. I count on the no nonsense corrections that you make w/ the student. I’ve been teaching ballet for almost the last 30 years. My own training was excellent. However, it’s extremely refreshing to learn that good teaching still leads to sound ballet technique. Thank you for the great insight.”

— Virginia Zellner, Studio D, Sherman, CT

“I have already shared some of your tips on turning with my students (both youngsters and adults.) If only I had a photo of their faces when they perform that first turn successfully while applying your concepts – the expression is priceless!”

— Pilar Doheny, Pacific Dance, Irvine, CA

“Finis’s ability to make turns make sense is amazing. Instead of restricting the students, he enables them to do it naturally. Thank you, Finis.”

— JP Christensen, The City Performing Arts Academy, Visalia, CA

“I had great success right from the start, incorporating your theories on teaching pirouettes. I am seeing more stability, confidence, and cleaner finishes. This is especially true of en dedans turns, which I have found to be problematic using other teaching methods. Each time I watch this video, I am pleased to discover more subtleties of your technique.”

— Rhoda Lichy, Teacher, Allégro School of Dance, Rochester, MN

About your purchasing choices…

FJ Streaming Singles We have released several brief videos (for example, our Foot Strength and Dance at Home series) which are only available to stream online. You will not receive a DVD, but may watch instantly upon completing your purchase.

DVD vs. Streaming

You’ll notice you have purchasing options on nearly all of the Finis Jhung Instructional Videos:

Streaming Playback

Streaming videos that offer the “Workout Mode / Nonstop Class” feature may be found here.

Most streaming videos do not offer multiple playback modes. Each DVD chapter/exercise is presented as an individual video. Once you complete an exercise, the next will play automatically. There is currently no “workout mode” available for most streaming videos.

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

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