Turning Left at YAGP

[Esmeralda]

Hello!

I am 18 and will be competing at YAGP this year (my fifth time). Previously I have always adjusted my variations so that the turns will be to the left, because I am a much better turner to the left. However, I have recently been working with a new teacher that recommended I stay true to the original choreography and do everything to the right, even though I wouldn’t be presenting the best of my abilities. My teacher says the competition judges wouldn’t care if I turned left, but I would not be able to change choreography to turn left in a company and should work on turns to the right. I was wondering what your thoughts on this were? Also, is it true that in a company I would have to turn right in a variation?

Thank you so much!

[vrsfanatic]

I think it depends what company in which you have a contract. It is probably a 50/50 split on a variation. In most pieces, the turns are to the right. You will need a good double for corps work, pas de trois, quatre, etc. 

All the best at YAGP! 😊

[Ozziedancer]

On 12/10/2020 at 5:40 AM, Esmeralda said:

I would not be able to change choreography to turn left in a company and should work on turns to the right. I was wondering what your thoughts on this were? Also, is it true that in a company I would have to turn right in a variation?

 

@Esmeraldamy son is a lefty, but has mostly had to do choreography turning to the right. He has always been told that he must learn to turn both ways.  When he was training recently at the Queensland Ballet Academy they advised that all corps dancers must turn (either right or left) to the side favoured by the Principal dancer.  I believe it is best to learn to turn both sides.   I hope this helps.