Ballet
This is the basic five-position starting point for many classical ballet movements; students often begin class with these
The five basic positions of the feet (first through fifth)
What does it mean to analysis movement
systematically observing, describing, and interpreting how a dancer moves, focusing on the quality, energy, and spatial patterns rather than just the steps
She is famous for roles in classical ballet and is often associated with "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker" (think historic ballerina, first name Anna). Who is she?
Anna Pavlova
Dance that tells a story or expresses a theme through movement and staging is called what?
Narrative or story dance, or simply "storytelling through dance", or musical theatre
Define "choreography" in one sentence
Choreography: the sequence of steps and movements created for a dance.
What is the term for dancing on the tips of the toes, used by many classical ballerinas?
Pointe (or pointe work)
This type of dance style is of Cuban origin.
The Cha Cha
This American dancer and choreographer founded the Martha Graham Dance Company and revolutionized modern dance. Who is she?
Martha Graham
Name one social or cultural reason people dance
Celebration, ritual, exercise/fitness, social bonding, or storytelling.
What does "plié" mean in ballet, and why is it important?
Plié: a bending of the knees; it warms up the legs and helps with balance and jumps
Name the soft shoe used in ballet for female dancers that allows articulation of the foot but is not a pointe shoe.
Ballet flat (or soft ballet slipper)
A modern dance phrase for a sequence of movements that may be improvised or set is often called this. What is it?
Phrase (or phrase of movement)
He would flick and retract his limbs like switchblades or snap out of a tornado spin into a perfectly poised toe-stand. And then, he would wheel out a moonwalk.
Michael jackson
What is improvisation in dance?
Improvisation is creating movement on the spot without set steps — making up movements in the moment.
Define "alignment" in dance and give one reason it matters
Alignment: how bones and body parts line up; good alignment prevents injury and helps balance.
In a classical ballet, this person stages the dance, creating choreography and directing dancers. Who are they?
Choreographer
New York drag competitions called Balls were the birthplace of this stylized dance that Madonna brought to the mainstream
Vogue
was an American choreographer and activist who founded the AAABT in New York in 1958
Alvin Ailey
What does it mean to "warm up" before dancing, and give one example of a warm-up activity.
Warm up prepares muscles and joints to move safely; example: gentle jogging in place, dynamic stretches, arm swings, ankle rolls
What is a "rehearsal"? How is it different from a performance?
Rehearsal: a practice session to prepare for a performance; a performance is the actual public presentation.
This famous Russian composer wrote the music for ballets like "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker." Who is he?
Tchaikovsky
Name one major difference between modern dance and classical ballet (answer should describe technique, rule, or aesthetic).
Modern dance often uses grounded, natural movement and allows more improvisation, while ballet uses formal positions, turnout, and strict technique.
Name a contemporary dancer or choreographer known worldwide for pushing boundaries in dance
Alvin Ailey, Pina Bausch, Merce Cunningham
Explain the 5 elements of dance and provide an example
Music provides tempo and cues; rhythm helps dancers stay synchronized and feel timing.
Explain the term "phrase" in dance movement terms
Phrase: a short group of connected movements that form a unit, like a sentence in movement