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Definition
| A series of slow, fluid exercises intended to develop the dancer’s balance, strength and grace. |
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Term
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Definition
| A pose on one leg with the other lifted and bent at approximately a 120-degree angle. May be executed to the front (en avant) or to the back (derriere). |
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Definition
| The position of the body supported on one leg with the opposite leg extended behind the body. The arms may be held in various harmonious positions creating the longest possible line along the body. |
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Term
| Assemble — (ah-sahm-BLAY) |
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Definition
| A step in which the working foot slides well along the ground before being swept into the air. As the foot goes into the air dancer pushes off the floor with the supporting leg, extending the toes. Both legs come together in the fifth position in the air before landing. Assembles are done in petit or grand allegro combinations. Literal translation: to assemble |
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Definition
| A rocking step where the weight shifts from one foot to the other. |
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Definition
| A series of rapid, traveling turns on demi-pointe staying in first positions. Literal translation: chain, links |
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Term
| Changements - (shahnzh-MAHN) |
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Definition
| A petit allegro step that begins in fifth position demi-plié, springs straight up, changes the position of the feet in the air and lands with the opposite foot front in fifth position demi-plie. |
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Definition
| A small linking step done as a preparation or impetus for some other step; one foot displaces the other. Literal translation: to cut,cutting |
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Definition
| A basic step in which the working leg brushes the foot against the floor to a slightly raised, pointed position and then closes. |
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Term
| En Dedans — (aim duh-DAHN) |
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Definition
| In steps and exercises, the term en dedans indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction, for the right foot counter-clockwise from back to front, and for the left foot clockwise from back to front. Ex. Rond de jambe en dedans, en dedans pirouette |
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Term
| En Dehors — (ahn duh-AWR) |
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Definition
| In steps and exercises, the term en dehors indicates that the leg moves in a circular direction, for the right foot clockwise from front to back and for the left foot counter clockwise. Ex. Rond de jambe en dehors, en dehors pirouette |
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Term
| Demi-plié — (duh-mee plee-AY) |
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Definition
| One of the steps that classical ballet is built upon. It is executed by bending the knees over the toes, keeping the heels on the floor, and increasing turnout at the hips. |
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Term
| Demi-pointe — (duh-mee PWENT) |
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Definition
| Indicates that the dancer is to stand high on the ball of the feet. |
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Term
| Développé — (dayv-law-PAY) |
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Definition
| A movement in which the working leg is drawn up through a retire position to an open, extended position en l‘air. The hips are always kept level and square to the direction that the dancer is facing. Literal translation: to develop |
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Definition
| Toward the audience, or in class, the front of the room. |
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Definition
| A movement done from first or fifth to second or fourth position and then closing back to first or fifth. This step may be executed on demipointe or in a petit allegro combination. |
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Definition
| A step in which the standing leg demi-pliés while the working leg goes to a coupéposition and then extends through attitude to a full extension while the standing leg simultaneously straightens. |
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Term
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Definition
| An exercise in which the dancer forcefully extends the working leg from a flexed coupé position to the front, side or back. This exercise strengthens the toes and instep and develops the dancer’s power of elevation. Literal translation: to strike |
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Term
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Definition
| A linking step executed by gliding the working foot from fifth position demi-plié, pushing off the standing leg, coming to two lengthened legs in the air and then landing one leg at a time into fifth position demi-plié. This step is used in petit allegro and grand allegro, and may be used in any direction. Literal translation: to glide |
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Term
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Definition
| In petit allegro, this step is executed from a fifth position demi-plie. The dancer does a degage in plie with the working foot, pushes off the standing leg straight up and then lands on the working leg with the standing leg in a coupé position. In a grand allegro, this step is executed by brushing the leg high into the air, pushing off the back leg and performing a “leap.” In both cases, this step may be executed in various directions. Literal translation: thrown |
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Term
| Pas de bourrée — (pah duh boo-RAY). |
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Definition
| This step may be done in various ways and in various directions, but generally involves 3 steps the first two of which are done to demi-pointe. |
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Term
| Pas de Chat - (pah duh shah) |
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Definition
| A jump from fifth position demi-plié that brings both legs into a retire position before landing one after the other into a fifth position demi-plié. Literal translation: jump of the cat |
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Term
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Definition
| Movement in which usually begins in fifth position where the working leg is drawn up the standing leg, passes the knee and then closes in the opposite fifth position. Passé resembles retire but differs in that this step changes fifth positions. Literal translation: to pass |
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Term
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Definition
| This step is executed by stepping directly onto the demi-pointe of one foot with a push from plie of the other foot in any direction. Literal translation: to prick |
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Term
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Definition
| A complete turn of the body on one foot on the demi-pointe with the other foot usually drawn into a passé position. A pirouette may be done in arabesque or attitude also. A preparation using the demi-plié and arm movement for impetus in the turn always proceeds the pirouette. Pirouettes may be done en dehors or en dedans. Literal translation: to whirl |
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Term
| Port de Bras — (por dih BRAH) |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| The movement with which the dancers prepares for the execution of a step or turn. |
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Definition
| A raising of the body onto the ball of the foot (demi-pointe) which may be done in many different positions. Literal translation: raised |
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Term
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Definition
| A position in which the thigh is raised to the second position en l’air so that the toe is in line with and touching the knee of the supporting leg either in front or in back. Retire resembles passé but differs because it usually is a position that comes to the knee and extends to another position rather that closing like the passé. Literal translation: withdrawn |
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Term
| Révérence — (ray-vay-RAHNSS) |
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Definition
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Term
| Rond de Jambe — (rawn duh zhahnb) |
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Definition
| Circular movement of the working leg that may be a terre or en l’air, en dehors or en dedans. Literal translation: round of the leg |
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Definition
| The rotation of the leg in the hip socket. |
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Definition
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Definition
| The rotation of the leg in the hip socket |
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Definition
| Relevé in fifth position that springs to the demi-pointe while drawing the feet tightly together with the heels well forward giving the impression of on one foot. |
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Definition
| A sustained turn in fifth position. May be executed in many different ways. |
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Term
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Definition
| This term describes the movement of the head in turning. The dancer chooses a spot on which to focus the eyes. As the turn is made away from the spot, the dancer snaps the head quickly back to the spot as the body completes the turn. This snap of the head gives the impression that the face is always turned front and prevents the dancer from getting dizzy. |
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Definition
| From a tendu position, the weight is shifted from the supporting leg to the extended leg, moving first through a plie in the open position. |
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Term
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Definition
| A movement in which the foot begins in first or fifth, brushes along the floor to a stretched, extended and pointed foot and then closes back to either first or fifth. |
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Definition
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Definition
| Movement where the body falls forward or backward onto the working leg in a demi-plié. Literal translation: falling down |
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Term
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Definition
| Another term for rotation, the ability of the dancer to turn his/her feet and legs out from the hip joints. This position gives the dancer freedom and stability to move with grace in every direction. |
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Definition
| Away from the audience, or in class, towards the back of the room. |
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