The Bluebird Pas de Deux is from Act 3 of Sleeping Beauty. It is a charming Pas de Deux about a princess who falls in love with a blue bird. Both the male and female variations are very upbeat and require a light approach.
Female Bluebird Variation Breakdown
The female Bluebird pas de deux variation is a fun, upbeat, but rather short variation. This is a great variation for ballet dancers who are new to variations to start with if some alterations are made to the middle section if students do not have the technical proficiency to hop on one leg.
Pointe work is discouraged for the Pre-Competitive age category, but for an advanced 11 year, this could be a good variation to showcase their developing skills.
Category available in:
Pre-Competitive, Junior, and Senior Age Categories
Degree of Difficulty:
2/10
Costume Needs:
Blue Pancake Tutu with Blue Tiara
Variation Highlights:
Fun and Upbeat, great for bright personalities
Side and back attitude extension
Chainee and Pique turns
Can feature hops on pointe depending on version selected
Variation does not showcase:
Fast footwork
Turns from a two legged preparation to one leg
Stamina or Endurance
Technically tricky steps or difficult transitions
Great for Students who are:
New to variations.
Have strong bourrees.
Have high side extensions.
Have a fun and upbeat performance quality.
Links to Youtube videos:
Male Variation Breakdown
The male Bluebird variation is supposed to enact imagery of a bird flying. This variation has a lot of jumps and expressive port de bras.
There are many different versions of this variation. This can be a good variation to start simplified and add in more difficult combinations as the student progresses.
Category available in:
Pre-Competitive, Junior, and Senior Age Categories
Degree of Difficulty:
6/10
Costume Needs:
Blue tights, Blue Long Sleeve Tunic, Headpiece with Feathers
Variation Highlights:
Fun and Upbeat, great for bright personalities
High Sissone jumps and entralaces
Entrechat Seis or Chacotts
Variation does not showcase:
Fast footwork
Turns from a two legged preparation to one leg
More complex acting skills
Turns
Any traveling technical steps
Great for Students who are:
Have great and explosive sissone jumps
Need variations simplified or shortened
Have great execution of entrechat seis
Links to Youtube videos:
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