Legs
What is a working leg?
What is en bas?
A turn that is done on one foot, with one leg in retiré?
What is a pirouette?
This is a classical ballet term meaning “back” or “behind.”
What is derriere?
This is the stable leg.
This is the direction of the arms when they are towards the audience.
What is en avant?
This 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.
What is a promenade?
This refers to the direction of the execution for a step, specifically moving forward or to the front.
This is when your working leg is raised, behind you.
What is an arabesque?
This is when the arms are raised above the head, with shoulders relaxed.
What is en haute?
This is a ballet leap from one foot to the other in which the feet are drawn up and the knees are bent so that the legs form a grand plié in the air. Translates to "cat's step."
What is a pas de chat?
This term is used to indicate that a step is executed moving away from the audience.
What is en arriere?
This is when a dancer starts in a closed position, usually fifth position with the feet, and slides both feet out equally into either second or fourth position. Means "slipping" or "escaping."
What is echappe?
This means the "movement of the arms" as in moving from first position to fifth.
What is a port de bras?
This is a slow movement done in barre and center. Also a dynamic in musical notation!
What is adagio?
This means “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 first leg.
What is a grand jeté?
This looks like a bow or curtsy, and it is the last exercise of a ballet class, in which the ballet dancers pay respect to and acknowledge the teacher and accompanist.
What is reverence?