Allégro
In ballet, allégro is a term applied to bright, fast or brisk steps and movement. All steps where the dancer jumps are considered allégro, such as sautés, jetés, cabrioles, assemblés, and so on. Allégro in Ballet Class In ballet class, …Continued
Abstract ballet
An abstract ballet is a ballet without a plot. Often contemporary ballets are considered abstract ballets as the basis of the piece does not lie in a story, but just in its movement.
Allongé
In classical ballet, allongé is an adjective that describes a position that is stretched or made longer. Allongé is usually used with arabesque, such as extending your arm and leg further before closing into another position.
Arabesque
In ballet and other dance forms, arabesque is a position where the body is supported on one leg, with the other leg extended directly behind the body with a straight knee. The standing leg can be straight or in plie, but … Continued
Assemblé
An assemblé in classical ballet has many different variations, but the basics are always the same: two legs joining together in the air. In a basic form, an assemblé is when one foot slides along the floor before brushing into the …Continued
Attitude
An attitude in classical ballet is a position where the dancer is standing on one leg with the other lifted, usually to the front (devant) or back (derrière). The leg in the air is bent at the knee so that … Continued
Avant, en
En avant in classical ballet refers to the direction of the execution for a step, specifically moving forward or to the front. En avant is not an actual step or position itself and is almost always used with other terms, … Continued
Adagio
In ballet, Adagio refers to slow movement, typically performed with the greatest amount of grace and fluidity than other movements of dance. Adagio In Ballet Class In a classical ballet class, an adagio combination or lesson will concentrate on slow … Continued
Balançoire
Balançoire is a ballet term applied to exercises such as grande battements or degagés. When a dancer is doing a combination with balançoire, they will repeatedly swing their leg from front to back and may tilt their upper body slightly … Continued
Ballerina
The term ballerina is originally meant as the rank of a principal female dancer in a ballet company. When it was originally used, this meant that not every female dancer in the ballet company was considered a ballerina, and instead by …Continued
Ballerino
Ballerino is used in Italian for a “male dancer” who dances principal roles in a ballet company. As ballerino is not commonly used in English speaking countries, it doesn’t hold much regard or honor as the term ballerina does and …Continued
Ballet technique
The set foundation of principles and methods of movement, form and function used in ballet, used to perform and learned as a student. Proper ballet technique is essential to being a ballet dancer.
Ballet
A theatrical dance formed by a choreographer who expresses an idea or story though solo, group dances and possibly pantomime danced by ballet dancers to musical accompaniment with costumes, lighting and scenery appropriate to the dance.
Ballet blanc
Ballet blanc is a term often applied to any ballet where the dancers wear traditional “romantic” tutus of white color, originally designed by Eugène Lami for Marie Tagliono in the ballet “La Sylphide.” Other examples of white ballets include Giselle and … Continued
Battement Développé
Battement Développé is a classical ballet term meaning “battement developed.” From a fifth position, the dancer moves their working foot up to a retiré position and opens to the front, side or back with a deliberate motion. A battement développé … Continued
Battement Fondu
Battement Fondu is a classical ballet term meaning “battement sinking down.” During a battement fondu, a dancer’s supporting leg is slowly bent in fondu with the working foot pointing on the ankle. As the dancer’s supporting leg straightens, the working … Continued
Battement jeté, grand
Grand Battement Jeté is a classical ballet term meaning a “large battement thrown.” Grand battement jeté is often used in the russian school to better describe how a grand battement is “thrown.” Its the idea that the working leg quickly …Continued
Batterie
Batterie is a classical ballet term that is used to describe all beaten steps or steps with beats as a group. For instance, a jeté battu and a cabriolé are examples of batterie because there is a beating of the … Continued
Battu
Battu is a classical ballet term that means “beaten.” Any step in classical ballet that is made more technically difficult by adding a beating of the legs in the middle of the jump or step is considered battu. For example, … Continued
Beats
A ballet dancer can make a jump more difficult by adding beats. Its basically the same as the french word “battu” which describes a jump as being “beaten.”
Bras
Bras is a classical ballet term that literally translates to “arms.” Bras is often seen used with other terms like “port de bras.”
Ballet Master / Ballet Mistress
A ballet master or ballet mistress is a person in a ballet company whose dutiy is to give a daily company ballet class and rehearse ballets that the dancers will perform. Ballet masters and mistresses are considered part of an … Continued
Balletomane
A balletomane is an avid ballet fan or enthusiast. The word balletomane was invented in Russia (from around 1930) with the suffix -mane coming from the word “mania.”
Ballon
Ballon means “to bounce,” and in ballet refers to a dancer showing lightness and ease in jumps. Ballon describes the quality of jump, not the height. A ballet dancer who has great ballon would appear to pause at the height … Continued
Balloné
The term balloné in classical ballet technique is step where the leg is extended to the second or fourth position (front, side or back) at 45 degrees; then the knee is bent and the foot brough to a sur le cou-de-pied … Continued
Ballotté
A ballotté in ballet is a step in classical ballet that consists of coupé dessous performed in sequence with a rocking, swinging movement. This step may be performed with straight knees at 45 degrees or with développés at 90 degrees.
Barre
Barre in classical ballet is a horizontal, often wooden or metal, bar that is fastened to the walls, or free-standing with supports on either side, in a rehearsal studio or class room. While doing barre exercises, a dancer will stand …Continued
Bas, en
En bas is a classical ballet term that means “low.” This term is used by teachers and choreographers to indicate a low position of the arms. For example, “fifth position en bas” would be low fifth position arms.
Battement
Battement is a classical ballet term which means “beating.” When a dancing is doing battement, they are essentially closing their legs in together then opening again or the other way around, staring from a closed position to an open, back … Continued
Battement, Grand
Grand Battement is a classical ballet term which means “large battement.” A dancer performs a grand battement by throwing the working leg into the air from the hip and brings it back down to a position, typically fifth position. While …Continued
Battment, Petit
Petit Battment is a classical ballet term meaning “small beating” or “small battement.” It is commonly used as a term to describe any small beating action of the leg or foot.
Battement Arrondi
Battement Arrondi is a classical ballet term that means “rounded battement.” This term describes a step when the toes of a dancer’s working foot move in a semi-circle in the air, at about 45 degrees starting from front to back(en … Continued
Battement Battu
Battement Battu is a classical ballet term which means “beaten battement.” Battement battu is done by placing your working foot in a sur cou-de-pied position and taping the opposite leg’s ankle devant or derriere (back or front). Battement Battu in … Continued
Battement Dégagé
Battement Dégagé is a classical ballet term meaning “disengaged battement.” Usually used in Cecchetti technique, a battement dégagé is very similar to a battement tendu but done at twice the speed, with the working foot rising about 4 inches off … Continued
Brisé
Brisé is a classical ballet term meaning “broken” or “breaking.” A brisé is when a dancer takes off from one or two feet, jumps and beat their legs and ends on one or two feet. Brisé is either done from … Continued
Brisé Volé
Brisé Volé is a classical ballet term that means “flying brise.” Basically, a brisé volé is when a dancer alternates between brisé front and back in succession. Each time the dancer jumps and lands, it is on one leg. Brisé … Continued
Balancé
A balancé in ballet is a step where a dancer moves while alternating balance between their feet. The rhythm is usually in three counts like a waltz and has the motion of going “down, up, down” with their legs. Typically a … Continued
Cabriole
Cabriole is a classical ballet term meaning “caper.” In a cabriole, a dancer jumps in the air off one leg as the other is thrown upwards, as the bottom leg raises to meet and beat with the top leg, the … Continued
Cabriole, double
A Double Cabriole is a classical ballet term given to the step where the beating of a cabriole happens twice in the air before landing. A double cabriole is almost always done by men in classical ballet and extremely rarely … Continued
Cabriole Fermée
Cabriole Fermée is a classical ballet term meaning “closed cabriole.” The beginning and middle is the same as a standard cabriole except that a cabriole fermée has the working leg close into fifth position. A cabriole fermée is somewhat common … Continued
Cambré
Cambré is a classical ballet term meaning “arched.” When a dancer is doing cambré, their body is bent from the waist and stretching backward or sideways with the head following the movement of the upper body and arms.
Cavalier
Cavalier is a classical ballet term that refers to the male partner of a ballerina. While this may be the general definition, the role of the cavalier is often referenced to the partner of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The … Continued
Cecchetti
Cecchetti used in conversation or teaching of classical ballet refers to the Cecchetti method or possibly the founder of the method, Enrico Cecchetti. Much like other methods or syllabus in ballet, Cecchetti refers to specific way or style for classical … Continued
Center, the
“The Center” is a classical ballet term which typically refers to the portion of class where the exercises are done away from the barre and in the center of the room. Teachers can often be heard saying “Okay, now let’s … Continued
Chaînés
Chaînés is a classical ballet term that means “chains” or “links.” When a dancer is doing chaînés or “chaîné turns” What do Chaînés Look Like Chaînés or “chaîné turns” is when a dancer is performing a series of turns on … Continued
Changé
Changé is a classical ballet term meaning “changed.” A changé is not a step on its own, instead it is added on to names of other steps to describe a dancer’s feet changing places. Simply, if the right foot started … Continued
Changement
Changement is a classical ballet term meaning “change” but as a jump. What does a Changement look like A changement is when a dancer performs a jump from fifth position with the feet, jumping and changing the foot position in … Continued
Chassé
Chassé is a classical ballet term meaning “to chase.” Chassé is considered a basic step and is commonly seen throughout ballet and other forms of dance. What does a Chassé look like When a dancer is doing a chassé, they have … Continued
Chassé en tournant
Chassé en tournant is a classical ballet term meaning “chase, turning.” This is when a dancer performs a chassé but does a single turn in the air as the feet and legs come together, then lands on the back leg … Continued
Choreographer
A Choreographer is the term or title for a person who creates ballets or dances. To be a choreographer, you must create original dances or choreographic works, but the steps themselves do not necessarily need to be inventive. Meaning, a … Continued
Choreography
Choreography is a classical ballet term assigned to the actual steps, patterns and grouping of steps that make up a ballet or dance. While it is used in classical ballet, the term choreography is used to describe steps in a dance … Continued
Cinq
Cinq is a classical ballet term simply meaning “five.” Cinq is a direct translation and means nothing more than the number five. For example, an entrechat cinq describes a jump that the legs together beat 5 times. Or pas de …Continued
Class
Class or ballet class is a lesson taken by a dancer or ballet dancer. For serious students or professional dancers, class is taken at least once daily, usually five or six days out of the week. For a student, dedication … Continued
Classical Ballet
The term Classical Ballet has a couple meanings. It can be used to describe a style as well as a type of ballet. As a style of ballet, the term classical ballet is used to describe the traditional style of … Continued
Classical Walking
A classical walk or walking classically describes the way a ballet dancer may walk in a ballet. Walking that is done “classically” is often done to show nobility or to look regal. A classical walk is always, or should, be … Continued
Cloche, en
En cloche is a ballet term that means “like a bell.” It is usually used as “battement en cloche“ which has the dancer going back and forth between battement front and back, passing through first position. En cloche gets the … Continued
Coda
A Coda is a classical ballet term that refers to the finale of a group of dancers and more often, the finale of a pas de deux. In the typical structure of a pas de deux in classical ballet, the … Continued
Compound Step
A Compound Step in classical ballet is a term used for a step made up of two or more other steps. It is not usually used within a classroom, but basically just explains that a step doesn’t have to be … Continued
Contretemps
Contretemps is a classical ballet term meaning “beating against time.” A dancer doing a contretemps looks like they are a brisé, but opening their body to the other side at the last moment. It is usually done as a preparatory … Continued
Corps
Corps is a classical ballet term simply meaning its french translation, “body.” It is most commonly used with “corps de ballet.”
Corps de Ballet
Corps de Ballet is a classical ballet term that refers to the dancers in a ballet that dance as a group. It is also a rank within a ballet company’s structure. A Corps de Ballet role in a ballet does … Continued
Coryphée
Coryphée is a classical ballet term that means “leader.” It is only applied to a leader of the corps de ballet, not to a soloist or prinicpal, and is sometimes a rank within very large ballet companies, such as Paris … Continued
Côté, de
de côté is a ballet term that describes another step to be performed “to the side.” This can be done to either the left or right.
Cou-de-pied, sur le
Sur le cou-de-pied is a ballet term meaning “on the ‘neck’ of the foot.” This term is for a position of the foot, not an actual step. The position of sur le cou-de-pied is when the working foot is placed … Continued
Coupé
Coupé is a classical ballet term meaning “cut” or “cutting.” A coupé describes a step where one foot cuts the other foot away, taking its place. Its usually done as an in-between step for a larger step, such as a … Continued
Coupé-jeté en tournant
coupé-jeté en tournant is a classical ballet term that is usually called “coupé jeté.” It is an intermediate step that is basically a split jeté with a turn in between. A coupé jeté is usually done as a series en … Continued
Coupé-chassé en tournant
A coupé-chassé en tournant is a classical ballet term that describes a step where a dancer is turning in the air in a coupé position. More specifically, it is almost always a preparation, especially for men for grand allegro. For … Continued
Croisé
Croisé is a classical ballet term meaning “crossed.” Croisé is one of the directions of épaulement. Basically, a croisé position is when the legs appear crossed from the audience. This can be done in croisé derriére or croisé efface, or …Continued
Croix, en
En croix is a classical ballet term meaning “in the shape of a cross.” This term is usually used in ballet class and lets a dancer know the step should be done to the front, side and then back. Doing … Continued
Csárdás
Csárdás is a classical ballet term that is simply the name for the national dance of Hungary. A typical csárdás is has two sections, a slow (lassú) and fast (friska) movement. It was first introduced in ballets as a character dance … Continued
Cuisse
Cuisse is a classical ballet term that means “thighs.” It is used to help the dancer understand where the action of the step should take place. For example, its always used with another term, such as tendu cuisse.
Danseur
Danseur is a classical ballet term simply meaning “male dancer.” There are several variations or types of danseur. Premier Danseur means “First Dancer” and is a title for a leading male dancer of a company. The Paris Opera Ballet company … Continued
Dedans, en
En Dedans is a classical ballet term meaning “inward.” En dedans is always attached to another ballet term to describe the direction it should move. For example, a pirouette en dedans would mean that a dancer is pushing their back …Continued
Dégagé
Dégagé is a classical ballet term meaning “disengage.” A dégagé is when a dancer moves their leg off the floor from a position with a pointed foot and straight leg to the front, side or back. It gets its name … Continued
Dehors, en
En dehors is a classical ballet term meaning “outward.” En dehors is added to other steps and terms to describe which way a step should be moving. For example, a pirouette en dehors would mean that the dancer would turn … Continued
Demi
Demi is a classical ballet term meaning “half.” It is the direct translation of the french word and should always be a part of another term. For example, demi-plie, means “half bend at the knees.” Demi is used less commonly … Continued
Derrière
Derrière is a classical ballet term meaning “back” or “behind.” Its a term that describes the position or direction for another step or term. For example, a tendu derrière would describe a tendu “to the back” with the back leg … Continued
Dessous
Dessous is a classical ballet term meaning “under.” This a term used with other terms to describe that a leg or arm should pass behind the other. For example, an assemblé dessous would have the working leg close behind the …Continued
Dessus
Dessus is a classical ballet term meaning “over.” It describes other steps or terms where the working leg or foot should pass over or infront of the supporting leg. For example, an assemblé dessus would have the working leg (or …Continued
Détourné
Détourné is a classical ballet term meaning “turned aside.” A dancer does a détourné by turning once completely around on both feet, on demi-pointe or pointe(for women on pointe of course). As the dancer turns, the feet position are reversed. … Continued
Détourné, demi
Demi Détourné is a classical ballet term meaning “half turn aside.” A demi détourné is when a dancer will do a half turn on both feet on demi-pointe or pointe, while switching the position of the feet as they finish. … Continued
Deux
Deux is a classical ballet term simply meaning its french translation, “two.” It is most commonly used with another term, pas de deux, which means “dance for two.”
Devant
Devant is a classical ballet term meaning “in front.” Devant is used along with a step, movement or placing of a limb in front of the body. When used with another step such as tendu devant, it is meant that … Continued
Développé
Développé is a classical ballet term meaning “to develop,” or “developing movement.” A Développé is a movement where the dancer’s working leg is drawn up to the knee of the supporting leg and extended to an open position. As the …Continued
Divertissement
Divertissement is a classical ballet term meaning “enjoyable diversion.” A divertissement is a grouping of dances called “entrées” that are part of classical ballets. These short dances are typically added to a ballet to display more dancers’ talents whether as … Continued
Emboîté
Emboîté is a classical ballet term meaning “fitted together.” An emboîté is a type of jeté where the dancer moves and alternates their legs in a bent position, springing from the floor into front attitudes. This step is best shown … Continued
Écarté
Écarté is a classical ballet term meaning “separated, thrown apart.” It is one of the eight directions of the body. In écarté, (specifically écarté devant) a dancer is facing their entire body to one of the two front corners of … Continued
Échappé
Échappé is a classical ballet term meaning “slipping movement” or “escaping.” A dancer does an échappé with their legs and feet. Starting in a closed position, usually fifth position with the feet, the dancer slides both feet out equally into …Continued
Effacé
Effacé is classical ballet term meaning “shaded.” The term describes another step or pose in which the legs looks open, or not crossed, when seen from the front. You can say that effacé is the opposite of croisé. A dancer … Continued
Extension
Extension is an English classical ballet term describing a dancer’s ability to raise and hold a leg extended in the air. Having good extension is particularly important for women in classical ballet, but is also increasingly important for men. Having great … Continued
Entrechat
Entrechat is a classical ballet term meaning “interweaving” or “braiding.” It describes when a dancer jumps into the air and beats their legs by changing the position of their legs and feet to the front or back of each other. … Continued
Entrelacé
Entrelacé is a classical ballet term meaning “interlaced.” A dancer performs an entrelacé by battementing one leg to the front while plieing on the other, then jumping and landing on the first leg while completing a half turn in the air. …Continued
Enveloppé
Enveloppé is a classical ballet term meaning “enveloped.” This step or movement can be considered the opposite of développé. When a dancer performs an enveloppé, they start with the working leg stretched to either the front, side or back. The leg … Continued
Épaulment
Épaulment is a classical ballet term meaning “shouldering” and describes the placement of a dancer’s shoulders in relation to the lower half of the body. A dancer demonstrating épaulment will slightly twist their torso from the waist upward so that … Continued
Étoile
Étoile is a classical ballet term meaning “star.” The term is used as a rank in the Paris Opéra ballet to signify a leading dancer. Étoile is considered the same rank as a principal dancer in other companies.
Frappé
Frappé is a classical ballet term meaning “struck.” A frappé is a step almost always done at the barre as an exercise to improve quick and precise movement of the legs feet. To do a frappé, the dancer usually starts … Continued
Fouetté turns
Fouetté turns is a classical ballet term meaning “whipped turns.” A fouetté turn is when a dancer, usually female, does a full turn in passe (pirouette), followed by a plie on the standing leg while the retiré leg extends to … Continued
Fouetté
Fouetté is a classical ballet term meaning “whipped.” The term fouetté is used with others to describe different steps, however, it almost always describes the quick whipping action of a dancer’s leg or body. Fouetté as a jump For example, … Continued
Fondu
Fondu is a classical ballet term meaning “sinking down.” It describes both the movement and the quality of a dancer where they are doing a plié on a single leg. If you think of a plié being for two legs, … Continued
Flic-Flac
Flic-Flac is a classical ballet term meaning “a crack of a whip.” It describes a ballet dancer “flicking” a foot on the ground and around the standing leg, then another quick hit of the floor to arrive in a coupe position. … Continued
Fish dive
A fish dive, or just a “fish,” is a classical ballet term describing a step where the ballerina is in a retiré position and held low to the ground by a male dancer. A fish can be done simply from … Continued
Finger Turns
A finger turn is a classical ballet term describing a step where the girl is turning while being partnered by a male dancer. Their only connection during the turn is, as you can guess, by the fingers or hands. A … Continued
Finale
Finale is a term used in classical ballet to mean “the end of a ballet.” Finale is not exclusive to ballet, as its used commonly in English and it’s originating language, Italian, to describe the end of something. In terms … Continued
Fermé
Fermé is a classical ballet term meaning “closed.” It is used along with other terms to describe how the legs are or are ending in a step. For example, a sissone fermé is when a dancer jumps into the air … Continued
Failli
Failli is a classical ballet term describing a step where the dancer seems to degage each leg to the front immediately after the other with a small jump. A failli is usually done as a preperation step for jumps and … Continued
Face, en
En face is a classical ballet term describing the direction a dancer is facing and is one of the directions of the body. En face means the dancer is facing directly towards the audience. An easy way to remember en face … Continued
Grande
Grande is a classical ballet term meaning “big” or “large.” It is always used to describe another step. For example, grande allegro translates to “big jumps.” Or, grande jete means “big throw.” It is important to know that you don’t …Continued
Glissade
Glissade is a classical ballet term meaning “glide.” It is a traveling, usually small, jump that is usually used to link other steps together. It can be considered an in-between step. A dancer performs a glissade by plieing in fifth … Continued
Gargouillade
Gargouillade is a classical ballet term meaning “rumbling.” A dancer performs a gargouillade by degageing one leg to the side, then doing a small rond de jambe with that leg while pushing off the floor with the other leg and … Continued
Haut, en
En Haut is a classical ballet term meaning “high.” It is a term used to describe another ballet term that is asked to be done in a high position. Most commonly, it is used with “fifth en haut” which is … Continued
Jeté
Jeté is a classical ballet term meaning “throwing” or “thrown.” Though often used with another term, jeté usually describes a type of jump where the dancer extends one leg then jumps off the floor with the other. Many jumps are …Continued
Jeté, petit
Petit jeté is a classical ballet term meaning “small throw.” It describes a jump where a dancer throws, or brushes, one leg into the air, then pushes off the floor with the other jumping into the air and landing on … Continued
Jeté, grand
Grand jeté is a classical ballet term meaning “big throw.” It describes a big jump where the dancer throws one leg into the air, pushes off the floor with the other, jumping into the air and landing again on the … Continued
Jeté battu
Jeté battu is a classical ballet term meaning “beaten throw.” It almost always describes a petit jeté that is beaten with straight legs before landing in cou-de-pied. Many intermediate and almost every advanced ballet class will have jeté battu as … Continued
Jeté entrelacé
Jeté entrelacé is a classical ballet term meaning “interlaced throw.” It describes a step where the dancer throws one leg in the air, jumps and brings the other leg up to meet the first leg, while switching their body position … Continued
Leotard
A leotard is a tight fitting clothing piece as part of a practice or performance outfit for dancers that covers the torso and typically straps around the shoulders. Leotards come in many varieties, including differences in sleeve lengths (long-sleeve, mid … Continued
Line
Line is a classical ballet term that describes the outline of a dancer’s complete body while performing steps or poses. Striving for a “good line” is very essential to the success of a professional dancer or advanced student. The term …Continued
Manèges
Manèges is a classical ballet term meaning “circular.” It describes when a dancer does steps in a circular pattern around the stage. Usually, manèges will be a reptetition of one or two steps, but can also be a combination of … Continued
Mazurka
A mazurka is a polish folk dance that is featured in many classical ballets as a character dance. Mazurkas are typically done in 3/4 time as the musical tempo. A mazurka featured in a classical ballet usually features a group … Continued
Ouvert
Ouvert is a classical ballet term meaning “open forward.” It is another way to describe a step is done effacé and is the opposite of a step done croisé. For example, a step with the right leg forward will travel … Continued
Plié
A plié is when a dancer is basically bending at the knees. They are typically done in 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th positions in classical ballet, both at the barre and center in classes. Correct use and development of a … Continued
Pas
Pas is a classical ballet term meaning “step.” This is why many classical ballet steps begin with pas! Most ballet terms that have pas in the beginning are describing a ballet step that has a transfer of a weight, just … Continued
Pas de couru
A pas de couru is a classical ballet term meaning “running step.” It is a very common preparatory step for many grandé allegro jumps such as a grandé jeté. A dancer doing a pas d’couru will look like they’re kicking … Continued
Pas de action
Pas de action, or pas d’action, is a classical ballet term meaning “dance action.” It describes a scene in a ballet where the story is being told through expressive movements, dance and/or mime. Almost every classical ballet has a pas …Continued
Pas de basque
Pas de basque is a classical ballet term meaning “basque step.” It gets its name because the step was taken from the national dances of the Basques. A dancer doing a pas de basque will start in fifth position with … Continued
Pas de bourrée
Pas de bourrée is a classical ballet term meaning “beating steps.” A Pas de bourrée has many forms that mostly relate to the direction the dancer is moving or if the legs are bending or staying straight. It gets its … Continued
Pas de chat
Pas de chat is a classical ballet term meaning “cat’s step.” It gets its name because the step resembles how a cat jumps. A dancer does a pas de chat by starting in fifth position with the right foot in … Continued
Pas de cheval
Pas de cheval is a classical ballet term meaning “horse’s step.” It gets its name because a pas de cheval resembles how a horse pulls in its leg before kicking it out again. When doing a pas de cheval, a … Continued
Pas de deux
Pas de deux is a classical ballet term meaning “Dance for two” or “steps for two.” Pas de deux can be used to describe many “dances for two” and is usually used in context or with another word to describe … Continued
Pas de quatre
Similar to a pas de deux, pas de quatre is a classical ballet term meaning “dance for four.” One of the most famous pas de quatre is the dance of the four little swans, or the “pas de cygnets” in … Continued
Pas de trois
Pas de trois is a classical ballet term meaning “dance for three.” Very similar to the idea of a pas de deux, just with one more dancer! A pas de trois usually assumes there is partnering, so at least one … Continued
Pas de valse
Pas de valse is a classical ballet term meaning “waltz step.” It is usually done individually by female dancers, but is sometimes done with a partner. A dancer doing a pas de valse will extend and step one leg as … Continued
Passé
Passé is a classical ballet term meaning “passed.” It refers to the movement when a dancer goes through a retiré position, which is when one leg is bent so it looks like a triangle with the foot placed near the … Continued
Penché
Penché is a classical ballet term meaning “leaning.” When a dancer is doing or in a penché they are usually bent forward over one leg with the other in arabesque well above 90 degrees. A penché’s arabesque leg can be … Continued
Petit, Petite
Petit or Petite are classical ballet terms meaning “small.” It is a descriptive term used with other ballet terms to show that the step is done small. For example, petite allegro, means “small jumps,” or a petit jeté means a … Continued
Pied
Pied is a classical ballet term meaning “foot” with its plural from as pieds for “feet.” Its a ballet term that is used with other terms to describe the main action of a dancer’s feet. For example, cou-de-pied means “neck … Continued
Piqué
Piqué is a classical ballet term meaning “pricking” and is a descriptive word to be used with other ballet terms. For example, a piqué turn would describe a “pricking turn.” It is meant to describe how a dancer transfers weight …Continued
Piqué tour (turn)
Piqué tour is a classical ballet term meaning “pricked turn” It is most commonly used as simply “pique turn” which is a very common step for female ballet dancers. A dancer doing a piqué tour, or piqué turn, will step … Continued
Piqué manege
Piqué manege is a common classical ballet term meaning “piqués in a circle.” It is a shortened term that usually means “pique turns in a circle” or a “pique turn menage.” A piqué manege is usually done in ballet class … Continued
Pirouette
Pirouette is a classical ballet term meaning “spin.” It describes when a dancer is turning around one leg with the other off the ground and in a position, most commonly in passé. A pirouette can be done either en dedans, … Continued
Pirouette a la seconde
Pirouette a la seconde is a classical ballet term meaning a “spin with leg to the side” or “spin with leg in second position.” A dancing performing a pirouette a la seconde will be turning on their supporting leg with … Continued
Promenade
Promenade is a classical ballet term meaning “a walk.” A promenade is when a dancer turns around on one leg with the standing leg’s heel on the floor, while the other leg is in a position such as an arabesque … Continued
Préparation
Préparation is a classical ballet term simply meaning preparation! A preparation step is a position or movement in ballet that prepares a dancer for another, usually more difficult, step. One of the best examples of préparation is when a dancer … Continued
Pirouette en dedans
A pirouette en dedans is a classical ballet term that describes a pirouette turning inward toward the standing leg. For example, if a dancer is turning on the right leg, the dancer will be turning to the right in an … Continued
Pirouette en dehors
A pirouette en dehors is a classical ballet term meaning “a spin, turning outward” and describes when a dancer turns toward the direction of the leg they lift into the turning position. For example, a dancer with their left foot … Continued
Placement
Placement is a ballet term used to describe the specific position in space a dancer should have their body, arms, legs, feet, hips, hands, fingers, and so on. For example, a dancer may be given a correction to work on … Continued
Pointe Shoes
Pointe shoes are the shoes that ballerinas wear to be safely supported and dance on the tips of their toes in classical and contemporary ballet. They are possibly the most recognizable object aside from a tutu relating to ballet. Today, …Continued
Polonaise
A polonaise is a dance within a classical ballet done in 3/4 time. It is most often seen as a processional dance in ballets like Swan Lake or The Sleeping Beauty where there are royal courts leaving, or sometimes entering, … Continued
Port de Bras
Port de bras is a classical ballet term meaning “movement of the arms.” It describes how dancers move their arms from one position to another. For example, if a ballerina moves her arms from first position to fifth position, that … Continued
Quatrième
Quatrième is a classical ballet term meaning “fourth.” It is used to refer to fourth position, usually of the feet. The term quatrième is used for a wide range of other ballet terms, but many teachers do not regularly use … Continued
Quatre
Quatre is a classical ballet term meaning “four.” It is usually used with other terms to show many should be done, for example beats in petite allegro, such as entrechat quatre.
Raccourci
Raccourci is a classical ballet term meaning “shortened.” It is the same as the ballet term retiré and most commonly used in the French School of ballet. In raccourci, a dancer has his or her working leg in the air … Continued
Régisseur
Régisseur is a classical ballet term that is a title for someone who restages or rehearses a ballet company. Depending on the size of the ballet company, there may not be a specific title of a régisseur with all of … Continued
Relevé
Relevé is a classical ballet term meaning “raised.” It describes the action when a dancer rises up and seemingly is standing “on their toes” in a demi-pointe or a fully en pointe. Relevé is a ballet step that is taught … Continued
Relevé lent
Relevé lent is a classical ballet term meaning “slow raising.” It is usually used in the Russian Schools of ballet. It describes when a dancer starts in one of the basic ballet positions of the feet with straight legs, then … Continued
Sauté
Sauté basically means to jump. It can also mean to jump in a particular position. For instance, a sauté arabesque would mean to “jump in the arabesque position.”
Seconde, à la
À la seconde in classical ballet typically goes along with another term to indicate that it should be done with the feet in second position or the step should be done “to the side.” For example, tendu à la seconde … Continued
Sur les Pointes
Sur les Pointes is a classical ballet term that means “on the points” or on the tips of a dancer’s toes wearing pointe shoes. It is another way of saying a step is done “en pointe.” Ballet technique formed without … Continued
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