Pas de bourrée tutorial

This is geared towards beginner ballet students (especially my students!) who are struggling with "pas de bourrée"

This step helps you travel.
This step moves to the side.
A foot must cross in front OR behind the other foot.
It is done by counting in 3s.
The pattern is "down, up, up."
And the feet come up as "back, front, front."

We also take a brief look at " Balancé " (NOT part of pas de bourrée)
And we learn TOMBÉ pas de bourrée (VERY IMPORTANT)

Practice at home! Good Luck.

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!

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?

[georgiatsoukal]

It's the best pas de bourree tutorial I've seen. It's so detailed and helpful.
Please make some more about other basic ballet movements!

[ItzelPixel]

I found it very useful that you zoom on your feet and recorded it backwards, just like the instructors do it in a ballet class! That makes it easier to mirror you

[amanda.-.]

Im so bad at pas de bouree, and this helped so much

[Gigis_Poems]

Your explanations are always so helpful. I love how you break it down.

[timn]

Thanks a million for your analysis. I'd just started ballet....pretty late at age 28. I got into it because Ido Portal briefly mentioned that ballet has system for longevity of the legs. I come from a combat sport background and noticed my body is starting to take a toll (developing sciatica like symptoms). I discovered progressive ballet technique and it helped tremendously with reversing my nerve pains. I took my 3rd class and loved it. Right now I'm in the middle of learning how to learn, so i can better absorb ballet. I saw your other video on tandu/elevae and they are such a service for safe training. Thank you thank you thank you. I hope i can practice until the age of 80

[jutta]

Love how you explain the steps! Great tutorial. You make pas de bourree less "salty" to learn!

[AddictedToEmotions]

Oh it's beautiful! I plan to use some ballet moves in my exotic pole dance choreo since we are often en pointe 😍 I'm going to be a butterfly 🥰

[Nimwae]

Thank you Salty!! I love the way you break things down and explain them! So helpful 😊

[ChristaWilliams-Collett]

Thank you! This is the most comprehensive breakdown I've seen. Really helpful.

[cecileleudet]

Thank you, Merci, so much for your, so useful, I started Ballet 4 months ago, I'm 50 years old and now I take 3 classes per week...I'm hooked to Ballet!

[billiequaltrough]

This is an excellent tutorial. I appreciate the methodical way you broke this down. It helps us do a very "clean" pas de bouree. You are a gifted teacher. Thank you very much!

[Emma]

Awesome explanation. I started taking a once a week class a couple months ago. We had a substitute teacher for one class and she gave us center combinations with a ton of pas de boureé. I couldn't stop getting tripped up. Glad i found this video

[JaejoongPrincess]

I learned this in my first ballet class. I'm here to practice this at home.

[elijimenez]

I am a beginner with a little bit of dance experience, and this is HARD! to piece together the releve and plies with the front and back, the counting and the ands. And the coordination. Imo ballet is for geniuses. ❤thank you for breaking it down. I’m so blessed to have found your channel ❤

[ThePhotogirly]

This is an awesome tutorial. I just started back into ballet as an adult and Pas de bourree has always been confusing for me. It seems so simple and then it’s just not! Haha, but this has helped so much!! Love your videos!!!

[Rainbowbrite]

You’re the bomb thank you! I always mess this up. This whole time I thought the tambe part was an extra step, didn’t realize it’s part of the 3 count. Wish u were my teacher

[CreativeBlue]

I like the fact that you show the steps from this angle. Easier for the beginner to grasp. And bonus point for spelling French words with acute accents. :)

[Jennifervzjl]

thank you so much for breaking this down I’m learning this inmy absolute beginner workshop at the National Ballet Of Canada in Toronto also learning Center work I find it complicated but you’ve made it easier thank you take care 🩰🎼🙌

[Nicole-fqcl]

This is the most helpful ballet break-down I've ever seen. Thank you!

[montsevargas_]

I just started back into ballet I am almost 17 and has helped me a lot to remember something I did when I was 12.