06/19/2026
We are in the midst of summer intensive! We asked NOBT principal dancer and summer intensive co-director Jo-Ann Sundermeier about a few technical elements that our students have been working on.
In this video, one of our intensive students is showing the coordination in the legs going from a demi plié to relevé.
The video with the “❌” shows the student demonstrating a relevé in first position, where the coordination (and timing) of the legs stretching is slightly off. If you watch closely, she lifts her heels off the floor while still in a plié position.
In the video with the “✅” the student is demonstrating correct coordination and timing; the heels begin to lift only after the knees begin straightening. This coordination creates a timing where the entire body arrives in relevé at the same time.
The coordination and timing from demi plié to relevé is the foundation for everything in ballet. This later transfers to giving you more power for jumps, control for turns, and strength for pointe work.
Next time you’re in class, double check that you are fully extending the ankles, knees, and hips at the exact same time, to help execute this timing and coordination.
