Basics/Vocab
Which language are ballet terms derived from?
French
True or false: Arms/hands should be directly on top of the crown of the head in fifth high
False – Arms should be slightly forward of the crown of the head
Essential movement in ballet that means “to bend” in French?
Plie
Point of the body where the foot meets in a passe
Knee/kneecap
Which of the five basic ballet positions has heels touching?
First position
What instrument is most commonly used to accompany ballet classes?
Piano
In front of what body part should hands be in when arms are in first position?
The sternum
Essential movement in ballet that means “to rise” or “to rise to the toes”
Releve
What are the points of the body where two bones come together?
Joints
How many dancers are required for a pas de deux?
Two
True or false: A dancer always bends their knees prior to a releve
True – or else it’s an eleve
True or false: Tendu a la seconde should be at a perfect 180 degrees
False – tendu in second should be at your specific angle of turnout, unique to what your first position is/that diagonal line
Essential movement of the foot in ballet that means “stretched or pulled”
Tendu
To bend or fold a joint is called…
Flexion/to flex
Where did ballet originate?
France – although originally originated in Italy, Catherine De Medici (italian born) brought the dancing to France where it was popularized and codified
What term describes the outward hip rotation ballet dancers use to achieve their positions?
Turnout
What happens to the pelvis in a port de bras back?
Nothing, it stays put over the legs and provides an anchor for the upper body to move around it
What type of movement is a saute?
A jump
Longest bone in the body?
Femur
What ballet features one female principal dancer playing two separate roles? BONUS: Name the two roles.
Swan Lake. Odette and Odile
Rolling to the outside edge of the foot while dropping the heel is called…
Sickling/Sickled foot
Where does the weight NOT go when the leg goes into arabesque? BONUS: Where should the weight be instead?
It doesn't go to the heel, instead, weight stays at the front of the supporting foot
Term used to describe the movement of the leg in a semi-circle position, either on the floor or in the air
Rond de jambe
Name one ball-in-socket joint that is useful in ballet. BONUS: Why?
Hip joint (also shoulder girdle). Hip joint useful for TURNOUT – activating the hamstring and glute to turnout the femur.
Who is considered the father of American Ballet?
A. William Forsythe
B. Marius Petipa
C. George Balanchine
D. Bob Fosse
C. George Balanchine – founded SAB, popularized The Nutcracker in the states, created original ballets with less emphasis on narrative