In the Air
Push off of one foot and into the air and land on the ball of the other foot
What is a leap?
One foot steps in front and then the body turns (without replacing or moving the feet) to face the opposite direction
What is a pivot turn?
A change of weight distribution on the balls of the feet. This is a popular transitory step in many jazz dance routines
What is a ball change?
In ballet it means “beating”. In Jazz this is a kick where the leg rises to it’s highest point, then returns to the floor remaining straight the entire time.
What is a Battement?
Push off of one foot, raising legs into a split, then swinging the legs past each other to reach the opposite split before landing on one foot.
What is a switch leap?
A technique used in turning where the eyes are fixed on one location while the body rotates
What is spotting?
A version of a box step where the dancer creates a square on the ground using a four-step sequence that imitates walking without any forward movement beyond the fourth step.
What is a jazz square?
A position where one knee is bent with the toe even with the opposite knee, the position of the legs for a pirouette.
What is a passe or retire?
A spinning rotation in which the dancer performs a knee bend and kick in the air before bringing the legs together again on the ground.
What is an axel turn?
When a dancer is performing a series of turns on both feet, picking up each foot back and forth in order to keep moving in a line or circle
What is a Chainne turn?
A traveling step in which you alternate crossing one foot behind the other then in front of the other.
WHat is a grapevine?
The body stays in place while one leg starts inward and kicks all the way around to its original position
What is a fan kick?
A LEAP IN WHICH THE WORKING LEG IS BRUSHED AND HELD STRAIGHT WHILE THE BACK LEG IS HELD IN ATTITUDE POSITION
What is a calypso?
A turn where one leg is pulled up with the toe touching the other knee, can be done to the inside or outside
What is a pirouette?
A classical ballet term meaning “beating steps.” For Musical Theatre and Jazz, it is helpful to remember that you take 3 steps, alternating feet, generally in the pattern of “Back, Side, Front”.
What is a Pas de Bourree?
One leg is kicked up in the air, while the torso is leaned back into as dramatic an arch as possible.
Head should be dropped back and arms should also be extended backward, almost able to touch the floor
What is a layout?
JUMP DURING WHICH THE BACK HEAD AND ARMS ARE RELEASED AND BOTH LEGS ARE IN BACK ATTITUDE
WHat is a C Jump?
Turns with the body straight and straight legs, one leg held slightly off the floor
What is a pencil turn?
Taken from ballet, this step resembles a galloping motion, as one foot literally "chases" the other. This is often used in jazz dance terminology to describe a way to travel across the stage, or flow two moves together
What is a Chasse?
Leaning. The working leg is sustained while the upper body leans away from the working leg, generally performed with a high arabesque
What is a penche?