Class Definitions

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Learn these ballet terms to assist with the study of the elegant dance. Like other specialties, ballet has its own vocabulary.  

BASIC BALLET TERMS: 

Adage or Adagio has two meanings in ballet. First, adage is a group of exercises focusing on slow, graceful movements which may be simple or a complex character. The exercises are performed easily. Second, adagio occurs in the opening section of the pas de deux. The male partner assists the ballerina with slow movements and poses that she would be unable to perform on her own.

  • Allegro applies to brisk movements.
  • Arabesque is a basic ballet pose, where body weight is supported by one leg and the other leg is behind and at a right angle to it. Arms are posed to create the longest possible line from fingertips to toes.
  • Ballerina is the main female dancer in a company.
  • Cavalier names the male partner of the ballerina.
  • Ballon ( ba lawn) describes the bounce in repetitive jumps, similar to the bouncing of a ball.
  • Barre is the ballet term for the wooden bar attached to the wall that the performer uses for support during practice.
  • Battement (bat mahn) describes a beating action of the extended leg. Several different types may be performed.
  • Bras Bras (brah brah) is the attention pose. Arms form a circle, palms turned toward the other, and back of the hands rest on the thigh.
  • Brise (bree zay) The working leg moves from the fifth position to the second position, beats in front or behind the other leg, and then both feet return to the floor in the fifth position.
  • Centre Practice finds the dancers meeting in the center of the room for practice exercises.
  • Demi-plie explains the position of the knees, which are half bent, for steps of elevation.
  • Elevation adds height to the dance through spring steps.
  • Five positions of feet refer to the five basic positions of the feet. In first position, the feet are turned completely out, heels touching the other, forming a straight line. Second position has balls of feet turned outward and heels are separated by one foot length. The third position features one foot in front of the other; the front foot touches the middle of the back foot. In the fourth position, the feet are placed the same as in the third position but one step separates the feet. And the final position, the fifth, has both feet touching and the toes of each foot reaches the heel of the other foot.
  • Gateway rounds the arms in front of the body with fingertips level with the breastbone.
  • Glissade means to glide.
  • Line describes the outline shown by a dancer during poses and steps.
  • Pas (pah) is a simple step where weight transfers.
  • Pirouette is a single turn of the body while on one foot.
  • Plie is an exercise used to bend the knees
  • Pointe shoes are satin ballet slippers.
  • Supporting leg is the ballet term used for the leg supporting the body so the working leg can perform a movement.
  • Turn out means a dancer has the ability to turn her feet and legs out from the hip joint to a 90-degree angle.
  • Working leg is the term used for the leg that performs a movement while the body weight is dependent on the supporting leg.

Learning the meaning of these ballet terms is only the beginning. The next step is to learn how to perform them.

Ballet

Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance, as many other dance genres are based on ballet. Ballet is based on techniques that have been developed over centuries. Ballet uses music and dance to tell stories. Ballet dancers have the ability to transport an audience to another world.

Tap

Tap dancing is an exciting form of dance in which dancers wear special shoes equipped with metal taps. Tap dancers use their feet like drums to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats.

Jazz

Jazz is a fun dance style that relies heavily on originality and improvisation. Many jazz dancers mix different styles into their dancing, incorporating their own expression. Jazz dancing often uses bold, dramatic body movements, including body isolations and contractions.

Hip Hop

Hip-hop is a dance style, usually danced to hip-hop music, that evolved from the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop includes various moves such as breaking, popping, locking and krumping, and even house dance. Improvisation and personal interpretation are essential to hip-hop dancing.

Modern

Modern dance is a dance style that rejects many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on the expression of inner feelings. Modern dance was created as a rebellion against classical ballet, emphasizing creativity in choreography and performance.

Zumba

Zumba is a popular fitness program inspired by Latin dance. The word "Zumba" comes from a Colombian word that means to move fast and have fun, which is just how people describe the routine. Using upbeat Latin music together with cardiovascular exercise, Zumba is aerobic dancing that is lots of fun and easy to learn.

Zumba for Kids

The workout itself offers 30 minutes of nonstop dance moves, emphasizing "contemporary urban styles such as hip-hop, reggaeton and pop." Word to the wise--there is no instruction. This isn't like a more traditional aerobics class or dance workout where the steps are broken down and you learn them in parts, then put them all together.