Refining the Fingers in Port de Bras with Legendary Balanchine Dancer Judith Fugate

[@dancingwithq3986]

Wow this is soo good. She explains soooo well!

[@ashleighschuler2148]

How should the back feel in a position that is not moving, ex. an arm held in second in a barre combination? I have heard to pinch a pencil between your shoulder blades, and have also heard to try to create space between shoulder blades, and I am confused.

[@shmykiebransky4517]

Hi. The pencil pinching thing is totally wrong. I've had teachers, in the past, say this. It's just incorrect. From behind, it may APPEAR as if one is, "holding/pinching a pencil", but that's it! It's the result of the arms being held in a la seconde (2nd position). Nevertheless, the CORRECT feeling that one should/would experience, is a feeling of reaching out... stretching, and as if your elbows are being supported from underneath Shoulders DOWN, of course. PS: Judy trained with Madam Darvash at Broadway Dance Centre. I took Madam's class for 13 years. Saw Judy everyday at 10:15 class. Hope this helps.