I almost skipped class on Monday because I knew MDB wouldn't be there. Miss M is more than a worthy and amiable substitute, but they have two very different demeanors.
For all of Miss M's expertise, you can tell she teaches small children and teenagers. Always ready with the praise, completion of the actual combination can bring on a short burst of applause, big smiles and 'yeas' from Miss M. Apparently, teenagers are in constant need of eager encouragement.
MDB likes to embarrass twice, hurt you once and tell you to try again next week. She smiles, too - but it's not the same. She doesn't hand out compliments or lots of criticism - but when she does, you know it's intentional and specific.
Class has 9 women in class. The Swan, LBC and Legs are in class. We have collected at least two new regulars...I've decided to name them Braces and Tiny Tot. They are about the same size, but different shadings - both come with and without point shoes. Legs has decided to wear her pointe shoes again, which make me want to cringe. I avert my eyes from her whenever she is on pointe. It's an accident waiting to happen.
I line up at the barre in Studio D and move from behind the Swan to behind LBC because her barre isn't as wobbly. Miss M gives us plies with some bouncing business and I'm almost right beside Legs. I try my best not to give an audible sigh, but LBC catches me as I roll my eyes. We move into our tendu and degage combinations with coupes and passes in first, second and arabesque. Miss M tells us after we finish that she wants the emphasis on the 'flicking' part of the degage - not the closing snap. I does make a difference. She makes us do it again.
Our rond de jambs include two slow rond de jambs with fondus and then four fast, one en l'air and arabesque - then reverse. We move through this combination working out the proper arm placement.
Side Bar: When do I throw my arm over my head?
Menty: You don't throw it - and it's only when we reverse.
Side Bar: Never mind.
We move to frappes and there are three front, one beat, one frappe a la second, three back, one beat and another frappe a la second, then crossed, followed by petit battement - then repeat on releve. Overall, should be simple. I think I just did my best not to make faces during the small beating (i.e petit battement). Miss M always encouraging, had us do this combination to Beauty and Beast instrumental. Nothing like a little Disney to make me feel demented.
We swing our legs in attitude, then we swing them straight, then we actually have to do it with some control (HA!).
Our first floor combination was actually quite lovely and while we all struggled with the simplistic and elegant beauty of it - it was really the timing of the music that made me want to scream.
Then we jump - and thank goodness we alternate between the pointe people and the slipper people. Three in pointe for floor and six in slippers - YAY! So we alternate and even get to bunny hop :)
After we butcher the two traveling combinations, Miss M thanks us again for coming to class and lets us know when MDB will be back.
I like Miss M for sure, but she's no MDB.
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