Dance terminology
Across
- 4. en Outward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from front to back, or a turn which moves away from the stance
- 5. en, To the back
- 9. Founder, director, and principle choreographer of New York City Ballet. Trained in the Russian school, he
- 13. in dance: Plier (to bend), Étendre (to stretch), Relever (to rise), Glisser (to slide or glide), Sauter (to
- 16. with the left hand at the bar, working the right gesture leg.
- 17. stance leg.
- 18. The quality of lightness, ease in jumping.
- 19. above 90°, or partnering work.
- 21. A unilateral standing posture with the pointed gesture foot held in front of, back of, or wrapped around the ankle of
- 22. floor, The second portion of the ballet class, comprised of the adagio, turns, and small jumps (petit allegro).
- 23. “To disengage”. Sharp brushes of the pointed foot to develop speed and precision of the feet and legs.
- 25. en, To the front
- 28. “Tossed”. A light, rocking quality, jump sequence. Ex: A jump from the point tondu front to the point tondu
- 30. Élancer (to dart), Tourner (to turn). Used by the Italian and Royal (English) Ballets.
- 32. A bend of the body from the waist to the front, back, or side, with an accompanying port de bras.
- 34. The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body at 90° or higher, which requires hip and spine hyperextension,
- 35. “Caper like a goat”. A jump where one leg is kicked up into the air and the supporting leg pushes off and beats
- 36. A jumping beat which allows the dancer to travel in a specified direction.
Down
- 1. The introductory / warm up portion of the ballet class, conducted while holding onto a ballet bar. The dancer always
- 2. en Inward. A circular movement of the gesture limb from the back to the front (as in ronde de jambe), or a turn done
- 3. en, “Cross”. Unilateral leg gesture carried out in three directions relative to the dancer’s front (en avant), side (a la
- 6. large expansive jumps such as grand jeté.
- 7. extension, and ankle-foot plantarflexion.
- 8. one to the other limb with each half turn. Performed continuously in rapid succession.
- 10. Rapid tempo movements, often includes jumping steps. Petit allegro includes smaller jumping steps. Grand allegro
- 11. To assemble or place (the feet) together in the air (usually in fifth position) during a jump.
- 12. To hit the legs together, moving in and out of fifth position in the air. See petite batterie.
- 14. Method, A school and style of ballet, originated by Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) in Italy. Emphasizes seven basic
- 15. grand battement, etc. are performed en croix.
- 17. the front. Attitude croisée derriere: the leg is lifted to the back.
- 20. and back (en arrière), making the shape of a cross. Typical barre exercises (tondu, dégagé, dévelopé,
- 21. “To cut”. A small intermediary step, used as a link between steps, such as jeté, pas de bourré, etc., using the cou-depied position.
- 22. “Linked like a chain”. A series of small turning steps with the feet in first position relevé. Weight is shifted rapidly
- 24. a neo-classical technique known for rapid footwork and abstract choreography.
- 25. A music term used for slow, sustained movements. The ‘adagio’ portion of ballet class may encompasses high
- 26. to the other, performed in place or traveling.
- 27. The hip of the gesture leg is at 90°, the knee is bent, and the foot is pointed. Attitude croisée devant: the leg is lifted
- 29. the gesture leg, propelling it higher. The jump lands on the kicking leg.
- 31. the stance limb.
- 33. A step performed on pointe from fifth position. Initiated with the front foot, there is a rapid weight shift from one