Technique: Ballet is known for its rigorous technique, characterized by precise movements, positions, and steps. It requires strong physical control, flexibility, and stamina.
Aesthetic: Ballet emphasizes grace, fluidity, and elegance in movement. Dancers strive for smooth transitions and expressive gestures to convey emotions and narratives.
Repertoire: Ballet has a rich repertoire of classical works such as "Swan Lake," "The Nutcracker," and "Giselle," as well as contemporary ballets that explore more modern themes and choreographic styles.
Roles: Ballet often features distinct roles such as the prima ballerina (leading female dancer) and premier danseur (leading male dancer), each with specific technical and dramatic demands.
Costumes and Sets: Productions often include elaborate costumes and sets to create visually stunning performances that enhance storytelling and atmosphere.
Music: Ballet is typically performed to classical music compositions, with scores created by renowned composers like Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky.
Training: Ballet training begins at a young age and involves years of disciplined practice in ballet technique, including barre exercises, center work, and allegro (jumping) sequences.
Styles: Different styles of ballet exist, including classical ballet (with its formal techniques and repertoire), neoclassical ballet (which blends classical ballet with modern dance principles), and contemporary ballet (which incorporates innovative movement styles and themes).
Professional Companies: Ballet is performed worldwide by professional companies such as the Royal Ballet in London, the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and the New York City Ballet, among others.
Influence: Ballet has influenced other dance forms and artistic disciplines, inspiring choreographers, filmmakers, and visual artists with its blend of athleticism, artistry, and storytelling.
First Position: heels together, toes pointed outwards to the side
Second Position: legs are moved hip width apart, toes pointed outwards to the side
Third Position: feet pointed outwards, one foot placed in front of the other with front heel touching the back foot’s instep
Fourth Position:
Open: feet pointed outwards, with legs in third position but spread apart
Crossed: feet pointed outwards, legs spread apart with one foot placed in front of the other, and the front foot is placed opposite the toes of the back foot
Fifth Position: feet pointed outwards, legs crossed and feet touching, with the heel of one foot placed beside the toes of the other
First Position: arms held out in front of the body with rounded elbows in an oval shape, sloping down from the shoulders
Second Position: arms held out to the sides, horizontal with a slight slope downwards from shoulders to wrist.
Third Position: one arm held forward in first position, the other arm held to the side in second position
Fourth Position: one arm held to the side in second position, the other arm raised up above the head, held slightly forward
Fifth Position: both arms raised up above the head, held slightly forward
Plié, meaning to bend, is one of the most foundational movements of ballet and dance. It involves bending and straightening the knees. This step helps warm up the body, improve flexibility, and build leg strength, setting the stage for more intricate movements.
Tendu, meaning to stretch, is an extension of the leg along the floor. A tendu for beginners usually starts in first position. Dancers should imagine that they’re trying to keep a piece of paper or cloth underneath the ball of their foot as they extend their leg from first position. The extension happens without a bend of the leg and goes in the progression of heel up, ball up, then toes pointed. As the dancer moves the leg back to first position, it goes in the progression of toes down, ball down, then heel down.
Dégagé, meaning to disengage, is similar to a tendu. It involves the same extension as a tendu but as the dancer builds tension between their foot and the floor, the foot comes slightly off the ground at the end with a pointed toe. It challenges dancers to control their movements while maintaining proper alignment.
Rond de Jambe à Terre, meaning around the leg on the ground, focuses on circular movements of the working leg. The working leg should hit the front tendu position, then side, then back, before returning through first position and starting the circular motion again. Hips need to stay still during this movement and dancers must be pulled up out of their supporting leg to create enough space for the working leg to move. Rond de Jambe à Terre enhances hip flexibility and teaches dancers how to maintain stability and control while moving.
Arabesque involves balancing on one leg while extending the other leg straight behind the body, the derrière position. A dancer’s upper body must stay upright in order for the pose to be performed correctly. You can work on increasing the height of the lifted leg throughout years of training. You should never sacrifice the upright position of the upper body for the height of the back leg. This pose demands strong core muscles and exceptional balance.
A grand battement, meaning big beat, is a powerful movement where the working leg is lifted to its highest point, emphasizing strength and flexibility. Tendu and dégagé helps dancers work towards grand battement. Essentially, it is a graceful yet dynamic kick of the leg up and back down. Dancers must learn how to execute this step in a controlled manner.
Chasse, meaning to chase, is a traveling step where one foot chases the other, creating a seamless gliding motion. It teaches dancers how to shift their weight and transition smoothly across the floor. Chassé can also be used as a preparation step for jeté.
Jeté, meaning to throw, is a leap where a dancer takes off on one foot and lands on one foot. A motion similar to leaping over a puddle of water or small creek. Jeté, which can be performed with or without a développé of the leading leg, results in a graceful and dynamic airborne movement. It showcases a dancer's ability to combine strength, control, and artistry.
Releve involves rising onto the balls of the feet from a demi-plié position. It's a fundamental movement for building calf strength and practicing balance.
10. PIROUETTE
Pirouette is an act of spinning on one foot, typically with the raised foot touching the knee of the supporting leg.
11. PIQUE
Pricked, pricking. Executed by stepping directly on the pointe of the working foot in any desired direction with the other foot raised in the air.
12. PAS DE BOURREE
The pas de Bourrée is traditionally a quick traveling step, most often performed in the allégro rhythm. It evolved from a common three-step motion performed in French courtly dance. Pas de bourrée begins with extension of the first leg while demi-plié, closing the first leg to the second as both transition to relevé, extending the second leg to an open position while relevé, and closing the first leg to the second in demi-plié.
13. SOUS- SUS
Sous-sus is a classical ballet term that translates to “over-under.” It can be performed at the barre or in the center. It is a highly versatile step in which a dancer springs onto relevé demi-pointe or pointe, placing the back foot more closely behind the front in fifth position with fully stretched legs.
14. FONDU
A fondu is a melting– A term used to describe a lowering of the body made by bending the knee of the supporting leg.
15. GLISSADE
Glide. A traveling step executed by gliding the working foot from the fifth position in the required direction, the other foot closing to it.
16. TEMPS LEVE
A Temps Levé is a type of jump from one foot, landing on the same foot while the other leg is raised in a position in the air. In this, the raised leg is in Passe Derrière. Retiré Passe describes a position where the working leg is bent and turned out with the knee facing to the side.