Port de bras basics

a few basic things about arm positions in ballet.
Thanks for watching my lessons and tutorials! Please leave questions and tutorial requests in the comments! I look forward to dancing with you!
About Me:
Hi, my name is Victoria! I’m a ballet dancer and teacher trained in the Vaganova method. I make instructional videos without sugar-coating the gritty details. I danced professionally as a freelancer, and in a contemporary company for several years in NYC. Due to the pandemic, I now reside in rural Pennsylvania. I'm a little salty because I struggle with chronic illnesses & invisible disabilities, but I try to keep it real and raise awareness...
FAQs:
Are you actually Russian?:
Yes, I’m technically a tiny bit Russian.
We always thought my mother was 100% Italian. But when she took the ancestry test, we learned she’s actually a bit Middle Eastern and Circassian (Southern Russia) as well!
Did you train in Russia?:
No, I did not attend ballet school in Russia.
But all of my instructors have direct lineage to the Vaganova Academy. I received a majority of my training from Ballerina Irina Lebedeva, as well as other former principal dancers from the Mariinsky Ballet and Bolshoi Ballet.
What ballet academy did you attend?:
I never attended a formal ballet academy. All of my training is a culmination of public dance studios and open adult ballet classes that would run 2-3 days a week- with the occasional summer intensive. This is why I’m only about 85% competent in my execution and lessons. I just do the best with what i've got- The average American dancer might not notice this, but the Russian dancers definitely do!
Growing up near NYC, I took advantage of the most prestigious schools and teachers in the area, including; Gelsey Kirkland, Simon Kazantsev, Yaroslav Fadeyev, Katherine Healy, Leslie Browne, Lupe Serrano, and collegiate programs at American Ballet Theatre.
I did visit St. Petersburg and Moscow after I graduated college in 2012. I had the absolute honor of visiting the Vaganova Academy and observing some classes. I also took company class with Yacobson Ballet.
Where do you work as a professional?:
Since I got such a late start in my training, (and went to college right after high school) I didn’t join a company until I was in my late 20s. Until then, I was mostly teaching and freelancing. I did Nutcracker gigs, occasional guest appearances for studio productions, and entertainment gigs for high end parties. In 2019 I joined a contemporary ballet company in NYC. I left in 2021 when I moved to Pennsylvania. Now I teach in multiple studios in PA, but I'm trying to start my own ballet company.
What’s the story with your company?:
I’m the founder of Indigo Ballet, a collaborative, dancer-run company with no hierarchy. Currently, I’m working on building a repertoire of virtual performances (music videos) to show people what we have to offer. We will be performing for a live audience in Spring/Summer of 2024!
If you wish to donate towards this endeavor, funds will go directly to the dancers of Indigo Ballet. You can do so at- gofund.me/fe17...
Why do you talk about your chronic illnesses?:
Firstly, this is just the platform where I have the most outreach. I am passionate about raising awareness about hidden illnesses, also called “invisible diseases.” I feel these illnesses are especially relevant to the average ballet dancer since; The field is dominated by AFABs that frequently gravitate towards dance because of natural flexibility. This correlates to hyper mobility spectrum disorders and connective tissue disorders which are rarely diagnosed, and can lead to serious problems later. AFABs also have higher rates of autoimmune disorders and are most likely to have our pain dismissed, if we are not already hiding it for fear of being seen as unreliable or weak.
The ‘teacher’ in me wants to educate any chance I get. If my shared experiences can help a dancer get a diagnosis, early treatment and a longer, healthier career; why wouldn’t I talk about it?

[@zaizen4359]

Your videos are a lifesaver, I just want you to know that! In class I’ve never really had these concepts explained well, so I really appreciate how meticulously and thoroughly you break these things down. Thanks so much 😭

[@DavidJAmado]

You are so detailed and thorough. As a teacher this is really helpful because there are certain things that are intrinsic to me from training and I don’t think about them. Therefore it’s difficult to explain sometimes. This was brilliant.

[@flightydancer]

Many great tips! Thank you!

[@sunhwachoe4646]

Your channel is my favorite!! thank you for shooting basic ballet videos.

[@lupitat.h.739]

Love love how detailed you are on your explanation 😃😃😃💕💕💕 Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@rebeccap6878]

You have such a beautiful smile!😆❤🤗 Thank you for what you do!!!😁

[@vickygatzima4071]

Beauty video! Thank you !

[@Sally10268]

Me.. a truck driver. Also me. Taking ballet notes.

[@grevecorp]

Hi, can you explain the arms in The Dying Swan, please? Tks a lot for the help your channel brings to us!!! Love you!

[@alisonmiller2708]

Thanks for sharing! You gave such good, clear explanations. I like that a lot.

[@RymVri108]

Your videos are amazing. Would you ever do a full barre video? I’m Cecchetti trained, but I’d love to learn some Vaganova technique.

[@MeganMcIntosh]

This is a good video! Useful imagery for explaining the arms

[@katyserene8914]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

[@carlakrochak4133]

Excellent video!! I look forward to more!

[@samarsamy1251]

Thanks a lot, u r so talented at ballet and teaching. May God bless you abundantly!

[@marcelacristina5534]

I loooved this vídeo. But i have a problem with my port de bras and my back: every time i want to hold my posture and keep my arms nice and long, i feel to much pressure in the back of my neck. Can you make a video talking about it, with some tips to put the strenght in the right muscles? Thanks a lot for the video. New subscriber from Brazil 😄

[@melindahuntley9873]

very good tutorial

[@Swan-world1010]

Thanku you mam

[@maars75]

Wow, very nice tips ! Thanks

[@vestlen]

Your videos are so well done, I’m curious, do you record the video or the voiceover first?? Thank you for all the clear explanations!!

[@SaltySugarPlum]

I record the video first and voiceover after!

[@vinnymarra3156]

Great video!

[@samsoundtube]

Thank you for this video. It helps me so much!!!!!!

[@dumbgenious1960]

Thanks for the video. Could you do something for glissades?

[@SaltySugarPlum]

yes! i'm still recovering from ankle surgery, so i have to get the "OK" from the doctors before i can start jumping again. when i'm back to jumping, i'll start things like glissades and assembles and all that good petite allegro stuff :D

[@SaltySugarPlum]

oh boy! i got mixed up and for some reason thought you had asked about assemblè! oops. well, if you're interest in assemblé, you can watch that in the meantime! Glissade will be coming up next.

[@dumbgenious1960]

Salty Sugar Plum I really appreciate anyone giving advice on ballet, and you do a great job at it. So it doesn't bother me. Thanks for considering my comment by the way

[@SaltySugarPlum]

Glissade video is up!

[@CowboyBebop444]

Awesomeness

[@judithmcminn863]

Really useful, thank you. 🙂

[@2011Ohmygoodness]

This was very informative. Thank you.

[@winniecantonese]

U are the best!!

[@FilipedeBarrosDance]

Thank you for sharing - so interesting!