Ballet is a kind of dancing that uses music, costumes, scenery and light, fluid movement to tell a story. Below are some of the common dance moves and terms you might see at a ballet!
Barre
A handrail used for support during exercises.
Epaulement
Elegantly positioning the shoulders so that one is forward and the other is back with the head turned or inclined.
Grand Jete
A high jump from one foot to the other, this step looks like a split leap.
Pirouette
A turn of the body standing on the supporting leg while the working leg is in retire.
Plie
Bending the knees, often a warm-up exercise.
Port de Bras
A movement in which arms pass gracefully through several positions
Releve
A raising of the heels onto the pointes or demipointes.
Tendu
The working foot slides from the supporting leg without lifting the toe from the ground until the toe has reached a full pointe. Then it slides back.
Finale
The last dance or section of a ballet that sums up the entire story
Line
Describes the outline of a dancer’s complete body while performing steps or poses.
Turn Out
A rotation of the leg that comes from the hips, causing the knee and foot to turn outward, away from the body.
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