The thing about everyone doing the same variation is so true. I competed in YAGP this year, and there were like 10 odalisques and 10 swanhildas and 10 la fille mal garde variations. Luckily for me, I did the Kitri dream variation and it was only me and two other girls doing that variation in my category
The "be original" part is SO important. I study in a theatre school, and on my access exams, I chose to sing the song that nobody was picking cause it was more difficult. But in the exam, I was the last person there to enter, and after almost 4 hours of the judges hearing the same songs over and over, they were almost relieved that they got to here another one. I entered and I'm so glad I chose original activities!
Video request! :) I know you sort of spoke about this in the video, but I would looooove a more in depth video about what variations are best for what strengths (and what to avoid for weaknessess). Beyond this, it would be incredible if you could talk about some full roles in full length ballets that are best for each strengths as well! It might be good for people who are wondering what roles/shows to look forward to because they could aim for being a lead (or a specific role within, since ballets always have gorgeous roles for everyone). Thank you :) and this video is fantastic
Good advice. My students just did the YAGP last weekend and pretty much do exactly what you advised. In fact, one of my dancer picked Paquita #9 and it was even tricky to find the music. There were only two other girls who danced it. I would never change the classical variation-- woah, dumb idea :) Thanks Kathryn Morgan!
Hello, Katie! I have never commented before but I have followed your channel for years and your technique and advice has helped me in more ways than I can say! I'm 27, I teach dance and I've always been too scared to perform and I never thought I would be good enough to do it. But I decided recently to just go for it and audition for a local production of the Cinderella ballet. I got the Fairy Godmother role! I watched a lot of your audition-tips videos to help with my mindset and my nerves. I also got Snow White in a Beauty and the Beast ballet (Snow White has a little variation at their wedding and so do a bunch of other fairy tale characters). Anyway, I wanted to thank you for all your help! Do you think you would ever do a stage makeup tutorial for the Fairy Godmother or the Season Fairies in Cinderella?
thank you so much for this!! i still can’t find a variation that i’m in love with🤧 i like the style of the aurora variation in act 3 but like you said it’s very common and i want to stand out. i also like the paquita variation( i forgot which number but the one with the pretty slow music and the attitude turns)
In my school everyone’s first variation is Dance of the Little Swans, and there’s a list of what you have to complete, and then you do an Aurora at 16 when you leave 🌹 It’s a fun tradition
Hi, Katie!) thank you so much for all your precious advices!)) I've started dancing after a long break and now have problems with my extensions: my knees are hyperextended, but my adductor muscles are really tight and I happen to crick them very often :( What advice can you give me to stretch those muscle group? I follow your stretching routine but are there specific tips to stretch precisely adductor muscles? Thank you in advance:)
Do you think you could do a tips and advise for grandé rond de jambe video? It's always been one of the harder things for me and would love to learn more about it.
I loved this! As someone with flat feet, is there anything I can do to avoid the foot fatigue I get when I dance? I have been trying to strengthen my feet but even after years of dancing my feet still get fatigued quickly! Thank you :)
I am an amateur dancer (and don't want to become professional) and I want to learn a variation for an amateur dance competition. As I am a quite shy, gentle person I want to do something calm, graceful and lovely. Unfortunately, I do not have a slim figure (rather mascular and curvy, but not thick, I'm in the middle of normal weight zone). So these kind of variations do not really fit my body type. Does anyone have advice for me?
Hi, I'm 18 years old and I live in Brazil, I want to do a audition for a dance academy this year, but the only school closer is the bolshoi, and they only accept it from age 17, can you give me some idea?
Sorry I keep commenting 🙈 I actually choose Kitri because she is nothing like me and I needed to work on my jumps. I'm naturally more of a paquita or grand pas classic kinda dancer. My first competition is this weekend, we'll see how it goes.
Love this video! I think it's almost a little sad that in every single competition like 20 dancers do the same variation just because it's super hard and prestigious. That's not what dancing really is about! I love seeing girls/boys kinda getting out of line and doing something the judges haven't seen a trillion times before
My pointe class is doing the odalisques for our recital this year and I'm doing the brisée variation. Any tips for extensive jumping in pointe shoes without losing technique?
Hi! I've been having a problem lately where it's been difficult for me to close my left foot from tondue back into fifth I was wondering if you knew anything that would help for that
Hi Katie! Thank you so much for all your wonderful advice, it's helped me in so many ways. I was just wondering if you had any tips or advice on how to create a ballet practice room in your house with the mirrors, special flooring, and the barre. I would greatly appreciate it :)
Hey Katie! Do you have any tips for the rose adagio balances? I'm dancing aurora and holding the attitude en pointe is very difficult for me. Thank you so much for the video!
Hi Katie! I really really need stretching help, i have absurdly tight hamstrings and calves. As in i've been dancing for about 10 years and I can STILL barely touch my toes. Any ideas? I think it limits my dancing so much :(
I absoloutly love your channel. i am a young dancer preparing for my grade 4 exam. I have a question for you: How do you ignore people in your lessons that dont listen to the teacher.? There are some people in my class who dont pay attention then i have to spend time going over things you already know. It is getting a bit frustrating because i cant focus on the things i want to improve on. Any tips?
Hey Katie, I love the Raymonda wedding (Hungarian) variation and I think it would show my dramatic intensity, but I'm afraid that it also shows too little technique and that a lot of companies might find it irrelevant in our era. I'm considering it for next year in an audition reel and possibly also a ballet competition. What are your thoughts on using this variation or what other variations do you recommend with a similar feel but more technical difficulty?
Hello! I know that this is an old video, but I thought this comment would fit on this video. My strong suit is in adagio and I was wondering which variations have a majority of adagio instead of lots of petite alegro. I have been struggling with this for a while and am stumped. I would really appreciate the help!
I have a question for your next q & a. I want to become a professional dancer. I've been dancing for 9 years and my teachers say I have a lot of potential. I love the studio I'm at, but I just don't think I can become a professional here. There's another local studio that will give me a better chance of a professional career, but it's just so hard leaving the studio I'm at now. I'm also on scholarship at the studio I currently dance at so money could definitely be an issue. How do I go about this situation?
I'm looking at two variation rn, my ballet coaches keep telling me to pick something musical because thats what I excel at. I'm stuck between the La Fille Melle Garde Pas variation & the Albreitch variation from Giselle. Do you think these at okay/not cliche?
Hello!! I'm currently searching variations for an audition, and I'm going to pick three, but I need help choosing them. I'm very good at adagios because I've got long legs and long arms, good extensions, so can anyone comment a variation that would fit my strengths please?
Kenly Eli paquita no.8 and Laurencia are two great ones for jumpers. There is a also one of the bridesmaid variations from don q. One of bridesmaids ones is very jumpy.
Heyy im not a dancer but i just looove ballet but what is a variation exactly?? In shows i've seen them before but idk what there for. Can someone explain?
I had a question for anyone who might know. I really would like to do Giselle's act 2 entrance variation. But I've never seen anyone do it at yagp. Is that to weird of one to do???
If you’re going to compete it at yagp, there’s a set list of classical variations you have to choose from (2018 one here: www.tutuetoile.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/YAGP-Classical-Repertoire-List.pdf) It seems like the only act II Giselle variation is a pas de deux (unless that’s the one you’re talking about)
Hey Katie, I love the Raymonda wedding (Hungarian) variation and I think it would show my dramatic intensity, but I'm afraid that it also shows too little technique and that a lot of companies might find it irrelevant in our era. I'm considering it for next year in an audition reel and possibly also a ballet competition. What are your thoughts on using this variation or what other variations do you recommend with a similar feel but more technical difficulty?
