Course title
Pas de Deux
Name of teacher / supervisor
Grigori Tchitcherine, Rinat Gizatulin
Period, duration
BA 1,2,3
Study load
3 hours a week
Contribution to the competences
1. Creative ability
2. Craftsmanship
7. Ability to cooperate
Short summary of the content
The pas de deux lessons in the BA program build on the course ‘Supported Adage’ from the Preliminary Course.
In Supported Adage, male and female students have learned the basic principles of partnering within the classical ballet idiom. In the Pas de Deux classes of BA1 this is expands. The exercises become more difficult and the students learn to lift high lifts, as soon as the boys have developed enough strength for this, in the strength training classes.
In BA 1, the lesson mainly focuses on developing the technique of partnering through exercises and longer combinations.
In the course of BA 1, a start can be made on teaching existing pas de deux from evening-filling classical ballets. This teaches the student to apply the experience gained from the lessons in existing repertoire and, as in the variation and repertoire lesson, to make a link to the field and work on the style, musicality, understanding of role (character) and dance feeling.
In BA 2 and BA 3, the pas de deux lessons are mainly focused on learning pas de deux repertoire from 19th, 20th and 21st ballets, especially those in the National Ballet version.
Concrete learning objectives
The student:
• develops knowledge of partner work and strength (boys), coordination, understanding to dance together, and learns to perform difficult pas de deux
• shows a sense of dance that is broader than the classical ballet language
• can perform a pas de deux from a full evening ballet till the end
• shows a knowledge of different styles and develops a personality in dance styles
• has understanding and knowledge for partnering technique and can demonstrate this physically
• understands the connection between pas de deux, variation and repertoire lessons and is able to perform them at performances
• has (a certain) knowledge of the different versions that have been performed in different companies and in the history of classical ballet / changes that have taken place.
Method (s) used
In group lessons the student first learns partnering technique and later on pas de deux from existing repertoire.
Study material used (professional literature, cases, assignments, videos, etc.)
Assignments: Watch videos, visit performances.
Assessment method
Evaluation and feedback based on what has been shown in class.
Assessment criteria
1) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2) 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
7) 1, 2, 3, 4
Comments on, for example, consistency and sequential requirements in the light of the overall program or other comments
Linked to the subjects of classical ballet lesson, variation lesson and repertoire.