(Re) Discovering the Karsavina Syllabus: the art and craft of ports de bras

Drawing on Tamara Karsavina’s unique ballet syllabus created for the Royal Academy of Dance’s three-year Teachers’ Training Course (1954), this workshop explores selected technical, artistic and interpretative aspects of ports de bras as presented in the Karsavina Syllabus. Through practice, participants will embody (experience) components of technique, movement dynamics and artistic interpretations which are indicative of the Karsavina Syllabus ports de bras settings, and which thread throughout the syllabus itself.

As well as performing excerpts, participants will have an opportunity to observe the tutor coach ports de bras settings, with specific reference being made to the stylist and nuanced detail of movement and technique required for authentic performance. Participants will then experience performing (to one’s own ability) key features which define selected port de bras as presented in the Karsavina Syllabus. This embodiment is followed by an opportunity to discuss what has been observed, before appraising the art and craft of ports de bras from one’s lived and applied experiences as a ballet teacher.

Aims:

The aims of this workshop are to:

• experience, discuss and debate the art and craft of ports de bras as presented in the Karsavina Syllabus.

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the workshop participants will:

• have a basic knowledge and understanding of Karsavina’s teaching philosophies and thinking which underpin ports de bras as presented in the Karsavina Syllabus;
• have experienced and observed components of technique, artistry movement dynamics and interpretation indicative of ports de bras as presented in the Karsavina Syllabus;
• be able to value and appreciate Karsavina’s contribution to ballet as an art form and historical legacies of ballet teaching;
• have gained critical analytical skills to reflect upon and apply some of the principles which underpin the Karsavina Syllabus to one’s own teaching of ballet;
• have engaged in discussions with peers on various aspects of ports de bras.

Timetable (start/ end times may vary)

11am – 11.10am	Introduction, health and safety reminders, outline of what participants should be looking to take away from the workshop, and copyright of the material.
11.10am – 12pm	Coaching of students on selected Karsavina Syllabus ports de bras settings.
12pm – 12.40pm	Participants learn and perform excerpts from Karsavina Syllabus ports de bras settings.
12.40pm – 1pm	Discussion of what has been observed and experienced, and how what has been learnt can inform enhanced understanding and future practice of ballet as an art form.

Venue

Kusuma Studio
Royal Academy of Dance
188 York Road
London
SW11 3JZ

Recommended preparation:

Participants are encouraged to undertake prior investigation of Tamara Karsavina as ballerina and teacher, and Russian Imperial Ballet histories (and in particular training legacies and influences) of the late 19th, early 20th centuries. The following resources are suggested starting points:

• Overview of Tamara Karsavina’s life: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p00glw7d
• http://www.aha.ru/~vladmo/karsavina.html
  Foster, A.R. (2010) Tamara Karsavina: Diaghilev’s Ballerina. London: Cleis Press.
• Overview of Russian ballet history and Imperial Ballet School
  Wiley, R.J (2008) A Century of Russian Ballet. London: Dance Books Ltd.Karsavina, T (1976) Ballet Technique. London: Adam and Charles Black.
• __ (1973) Classical Ballet: The Flow of Movement. New York: Theatre Arts Books.

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