Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23772 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-01-01
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Classical, Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 30 minutes

Amazon.com
Join professional dancer Debra Maxwell and her mixed-gender class for an introduction to ballet. Maxwell demonstrates the five basic ballet positions, then goes to the barre for a lesson in ballet essentials like demi plié, élevé, tendu, dégagé, rond de jambe, and grand battement. Maxwell provides clear visual and verbal instruction for each step, then offers pointers and encouragement as her young students try the steps alone and with arm movements and musical accompaniment. Students discuss ballet's role in developing their concentration, grace, and musculature, and praise its influence on school, music, and sports. The centre work portion of the video begins with the transformation of a simple game of hopscotch into a ballet routine utilizing techniques learned at the barre. Additional steps covered include jete, sauté, assemblé, skip, chassé, and révérence. This nicely presented, 30-minute video is an informative, non-threatening introduction to ballet. (Ages 5-10) --Tami Horiuchi

From the Back Cover
I Can Dance! is a new and exciting way to introduce children to the wonderful world of ballet and the joys of dance. Professional dancer Debra Maxwell has designed this video specifically for girls and boys by following a child's first ballet lesson. The program include the Five Basic Positions, Barre and Center work to familiarize your child with both the fun and technique of ballet.

Program:
1. Introduction to the ballet studio. 2. Five basic ballet positions. 3. Basic barre workplies, tendus, degages, rond de jambe and grands battements. 4. Open discussion with children about ballet 5. Center work - chasse/skipping

Customer Reviews

A Clear "Introduction to Ballet"
Debra Maxwell teaches a small ballet class of grade-school children, one of whom is new to the class. She explains the terms and shows precisely how to move the arms and feet. The five basic positions are taught, as well as some barre work and center work. The video is, indeed, only a bare introduction, but it's a great joy for my 5 year old to use daily. I appreciate the teacher's attitude toward the children in the class, expecting good work, but still being supportive of their beginning efforts. Some brief segments of accomplished adult dancers are included.

Fun for my 5 year old.
Expected a little more instruction for the money. My 5 year old little girl does enjoy going over the steps.

Great Video for Children!
I was online to see if Debra Maxwell had second video that I could buy for my almost 5 year old. Unfortunately, I haven't found one yet.

This is a wonderful description of the video provided by another reviewer...Debra Maxwell teaches a small ballet class of grade-school children, one of whom is new to the class. She explains the terms and shows precisely how to move the arms and feet. The five basic positions are taught, as well as some barre work and center work. I appreciate the teacher's attitude toward the children in the class, expecting good work, but still being supportive of their beginning efforts. Some brief segments of accomplished adult dancers are included.

My daughter has been using this video, since she was 3 years old, as an in-home instruction for intro ballet and it has been a blessing! She loves it! I highly recommend this for the young girl who wishes she could dance ballet.