Opus - Master Ballet Academy - Phoenix 2023

[@rainndead]

While these dancers individually are undeniably at a very high technical level, I wish that it was more nuanced rather than the main focus being on technicality, it's still a performance after all. The choreography has so much potential but it seemed under rehearsed as the dancers still aren't completely in sync with each other, which is such an important part of being a part any ballet company which I am sure most of these dancers will go on to do.

[@gnguyen411]

Probably because it was during Nutcracker season.

[@BrainyWoman]

They do not have good technique at all. They can turn but nothing more.

[@SynchroCoach]

This choreography has so much potential! I'm looking forward to seeing this grow.

[@lilly_37]

i loved the vision for this dance and the girls technical training really shines through. but i do think this is very evidently under rehearsed. in a smaller group the girls may have been able to cover with more freedom to make the choreography their own but when in numbers like this it’s really obvious who is lacking in rehearsal time some of the main bits i’ve noticed were timing, but at times the girls just looked lost (ie delaney in the section around 0:40 and the pas de deux section). i think this could have been covered again if the girls trusted themselves more and let their artistry shine through - they often looked borderline worried. although it’s a fine line between uncertainty and over confidence, i noticed chloe a few times counts behind dancers because she held extensions too long etc maybe acceptable in a solo but it really shows in the group. i’m sure all the girls are lively and they are stunning dancers but it does drag down the effect the piece has upon an audience with more cleaning i think this dance could be lovely. some standouts for me personally was cruz, meghan, LilaRose, Melanie and Tessa. Brava to the whole studio and their wonderful teachers!

[@Drizzlen]

I know this piece lacked timing and staying together but if you read the description, they really didn’t have a lot of time to get this piece finished. So that being considered I would say they did a pretty nice job.

[@nylapierce1719]

I think Balanchine would have loved this and hired all the dancers on the spot.

[@lucisventusnoctis]

I follow the girls and the reels, love all of then individually, given how intense each soloist is, i think there's just less time to rehearse the group piece... So i think the teachers could have been less ambitious given there clearly wasnt enough bandwidth to execute the vision... Easy solution is even making the music and movements slower and less hurried. it would be more enjoyable to watch that way with more quality movements as opposed to cramming choreo ideas together

[@timothyheath577]

Oh, wow! Well said. Couldn’t agree more. What wise words! ☺️

[@niluferozyoruk]

I agree with the speed issue. Makes it more demanding and harder to synchronize perfectly.

[@hanna_borysenko32]

Still, they tried, and that loooks so beautiful

[@anavela6001]

absolutly perfect choreography!!!!!! and dancers!!!!!

[@victoria3782]

1:17 the fouetté part is sooo satisfying

[@nadineharder6996]

Beautiful

[@balletfanatic]

Everyone is talking about them being unsynchronized and needing more rehearsal time. Give them a break, they work incredibly hard daily, and this was during Nutcracker season, so it's a double or even triple workload on them. Besides, they were phenomenal!

[@cosmokramer7009]

My mom used to say: You should not bite off more than you can chew.

[@naana2660]

These dancers are great 😍 so many all at once, I feel spoilt! The thumbnail highlights that they're not totally together, but it meant the video exceeded my expectations! They're very skilled and beautiful.

[@hanna_borysenko32]

Love it so much❤

[@elisannycc7336]

it's fascinating how every single dancer is soooo good on an individual technical level, but yet they lack so much synchronicity and stage presence O.o

[@meirenee8682]

i think you need to keep your opinion to yourself

[@diggermd1]

She’s actually right. They were not together. Not dancing on the same beat. Not watching each other. Can’t argue with the video.

[@deaconthomas7930]

@@diggermd1She is correct but barely. The “lack of timing” is probably partially the angle, aswell as the fact that they are all different heights/sizes. Meaning that even if they were all on the same count it wouldnt look completely on time as for the height difference and how long it takes them to move their bodies. Could the timing have been better, yes. But their 10000 times better than any other ranky dank dance studio you may find in the area.

[@diggermd1]

@@deaconthomas7930 most definitely!!! The training in that school is stellar. One of the best schools out west

[@SynchroCoach]

It is getting better. I saw a previous version, and it was even more off. The pas de deux section especially, had awful timing in this performance. Part of making things synchronized is watching your teammates and learning how to move your body in time with everyone else. It absolutely can be done, but takes a different kind of training and mentality to do well.

[@Forrest.123]

Amazing! My favorite part has to be the fouettés at 1:19

[@SusanAttfield]

I think I recognise the short female dancer as “ The back kracker? “. They are good but not enough group prep before hand. Nice choreography !

[@Marbles40]

I expect you’re talking about lilarose? And yes she is the “back cracker” lol

[@swankyangelo]

She’s in the front because she’s one of the best! They put the black folks and the mediocre whites in the back 🫨. It’s obvious.😊

[@nvm7430]

Where is she off? She looks fine to me

[@KateCarew]

It feels rushed, unorganized and like they’re all trying to get these specific moves in. It’s a shame because they’re all superb dancers and I think the school is one of the best.

[@cosmokramer7009]

I felt the same way. Too many moves per minute!

[@angelux.881]

This is amazing, and it has so much potential but they could have practiced a little more to make it synchronized, and there were a few parts where they were out of count but good job guys!

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Ottima la regia ideativa del corollario danzante e la figuralita' nella riconduzione dei passi all'euritmia melodica del tema.Ottimo quello che con un mio neologismo ho chiamato con volo aereo ed elanista della ballerina ottimamente tenuto dal partner.Ottimo il senso del continuum dato alla pièce danzante dai protagonisti.Superlativi.Bighin Giulio Renzo

[@nobodyneedsyou7139]

Funny Suddenly everybody and their mom danced for 20 years or is straight a Balanchine incarnation... As a matter of fact this was good enough to get them to the Finals. Btw if some of you would have read the description you would know that it was right after Nutcracker season. It's easy to sit in your armchairs and write critically comments than do what this kids do.

[@iraklem5619]

Нужно еще потренироваться😊😊 но все равно молодцы!! Радует, что мои фавориты не разочаровали❤😊

[@autumnleaves5973]

They dance cautiously, not giving it everything but maybe in extensions and turns. Everything else is almost marked, no reaching, no sparkling, no dynamics.

[@TuiandRickyBaker]

Loved this dance as "Opus", the girls all wore blue...❤

[@cricket8438]

This looks like a dance class rather than a ballet. 😮

[@ShisNikn]

All the dancers are individually awesome!!! The choreography has so much potencial, but they were not in sync at all during the performance, a lot of things are pretty messy and unclean, it looks like they didn’t rehearsal a lot, which is sad. They are awesome individual dancers, but I have never seen they performing in such a huge group, they were visually lost and out of beat (especially the partner part), I see potencial and I’m looking forward to see the piece get better

[@sara98418]

YEEEESSS🎉❤

[@anavela6001]

I think and suposse they won all the prices!!!!!

[@oliverdownunder9397]

Looks very under rehearsed. Ladies choreography is repetitive and under whelming, Dancers are not bad at all.

[@nvm7430]

I’m not trying to be rude… but this looked really messy 😅. Such a shame because they are beautiful dancers

[@hissingcats]

yes

[@jodeedelrosario2740]

What is the song??

[@vivianfiala3799]

It’s giving Wes Anderson. 💖

[@snowieeves]

a mess omg

[@karensantos5421]

If they maybe used a different music with a slightly slower pace, this choreography might have been better. It all felt rushed. It was as if they were trying to cram all these complicated steps in a fast paced tempo music. Also, their movements were not uniform. I mean there are those whoreally high extensions and that would've been amazing, it they were doing a solo. But in a group dance, synchronization, uniform movements, same level of extensions and such are more appreciated by the audience rather having a few dancer stand out because this is a group performance, not a solo performance.

[@l4xd36]

Yikes… This definitely could’ve been a lot better.

[@мяум-х2я]

What do you mean? It’s really nice and good choreography?

[@l4xd36]

@@мяум-х2я yeah, great choreo. But this looks very under rehearsed and there was barely any synchronicity.

[@cosmokramer7009]

​@@мяум-х2яSome of them did ok and technique is generally good, but they were not synchronized! It was way too fast and they could barely catch up

[@timothyheath577]

After seeing so many amazing you tube shorts of these dancers, this was really disappointing. In fact, it was a mess! Under-rehearsed, insensitive, and most of all lacking in any group dynamic. It was simply every guy and gal for themselves, with an air of showing off - but in a bad way. That won’t do. These young dancers are undoubtedly masterful technicians, but I saw little evidence of the actual beauty of dance. I’m not too bothered about the lack of unison. That’s an easy fix. It’s the lack of sensitivity that concerns me. It’s not about how high you can get you legs, or how many turns you can do, it’s about losing yourself in the movement - becoming the movement - becoming the dance. What’s on show here, is mostly ego, ego and a little more ego. That is not the way to do it. I’ve been showing people your amazing you tube shorts. I honestly think this school has some of the world’s finest young dancers - well, technicians at least. I’m endlessly impressed, truly. But if I want to watch a bunch of tricks, (with little magic) I can visit the circus! And I guess, that was what was missing here - magic. So, from here on in, I want to see movement so warm, so true, it touches my heart. Hopefully, this quality will come, with a little less showing off and a little more humility. Sorry, kids - I know it’s harsh, but I promise you, it’s true. Fact is, once you’re professionals, years and years of just doing the steps but not surrendering to choreography, will not for-fill you. You will find that something is missing. But, if throughout your professional dancing years, you find a way to truly surrender, your reward will be enough magical joy to last your whole life through. Looking forward . . . J x ☺️

[@trip7002]

It is never this serious.

[@Chels-fz5uq]

Lack of sensitivity? You mean expression or you mean consideration for others? Your wording is odd for dance critique.

[@Chels-fz5uq]

And I think you need to get over your own ego before you critique professionally trained ballerinas. Honestly….some people are so damn entitled in every way possible. You don’t know these dancers. Get over yourself.

[@_alison555]

@@Chels-fz5uqi think she’s getting at a lack of nuance. she believes the piece is surface-level and only features flashy technique. she instead wants something deeper that doesn’t necessarily exclude advanced movement but just includes more nuance.

[@timothyheath577]

@@trip7002 Maybe . . . ☺️

[@BrainyWoman]

These dancers lack the technique to be competing at this level. Look at former winners.

[@cosmokramer7009]

Creo que lo que les faltó fue ensayar porque varios de ellos lo hicieron muy bien en sus variaciones individuales.

[@two-handpianist4517]

This is actually hard to watch, knowing, and noticing, how each individual is so clean in their own technique and yet, the whole thing put together is such a mess... Especially since the male group and the couple section. I can feel they got bad scores with this performance and i was clenching my teeth. I mean, they at least should have seen the problem with synchronization from rehearsals, it was so obvious. And the fact that the music is so fast didn't help either. Maybe slow down the music a little bit could've saved this performance since the idea was there, it was just the execution is poorly done

[@yelenagorodkova5305]

@@two-handpianist4517 even though it is the oldie, I want to say something. You are right in your comments however, they got high enough scores to be invited for finals. They had three weeks of Nutcracker, two weeks of break and two weeks before performance. This kids learn on the spot. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had 2-3 rehearsals as a large group. Nobody expected them to be perfect. They did great at finals.