Untitled Deck Flashcards
What does ‘adagio’ mean in ballet?
A music term used for slow, sustained movements. The ‘adagio’ portion of ballet class may encompass high développés above 90°, or partnering work.
What is ‘allegro’ in ballet?
Rapid tempo movements, often including jumping steps. Petit allegro includes smaller jumping steps. Grand allegro includes large expansive jumps such as grand jeté.
What is an ‘arabesque’?
The gesture leg is extended behind the dancer’s body at 90° or higher, requiring hip and spine hyperextension, knee extension, and ankle-foot plantarflexion.
What does ‘arrière, en’ mean?
To the back.
What is ‘assemblé’?
To assemble or place (the feet) together in the air (usually in fifth position) during a jump.
What is ‘attitude’ in ballet?
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 to the front. Attitude croisée derrière: the leg is lifted to the back.
What does ‘avant, en’ mean?
To the front.
Who is Balanchine?
Founder, director, and principal choreographer of New York City Ballet. Trained in the Russian school, he developed a neo-classical technique known for rapid footwork and abstract choreography.
What is ‘ballón’?
The quality of lightness, ease in jumping.
What does ‘ballotté’ mean?
“Tossed”. A light, rocking quality, jump sequence.
Example: A jump from the point tondu front to the point tondu back.
What is ‘barre’ in ballet?
The introductory/warm-up portion of the ballet class, conducted while holding onto a ballet bar. The dancer always starts with the left hand at the bar, working the right gesture leg.
What are ‘beats’ in ballet?
To hit the legs together in and out of fifth position in the air.
See petite batterie.
What is ‘Bourrée’?
- fast small steps performed on pointe
What is ‘brisé’?
A jumping beat which allows the dancer to travel in a specified direction.
What does ‘cabriole’ mean?
“Caper like a goat”. A jump where one leg is kicked up into the air and the OTHER leg pushes off and HITS underneath the FRONT leg, propelling it higher.
What is ‘cambré’?
A bend of the body from the waist to the front, back, or side, with an accompanying port de bras.
What is the ‘Cecchetti Method’?
A school and style of ballet, originated by Enrico Cecchetti (1850-1928) in Italy. Emphasizes seven basic movements in dance: Plier (to bend), Étendre (to stretch), Relever (to rise), Glisser (to slide or glide), Sauter (to jump), Élancer (to dart), Tourner (to turn). Used by the Italian and Royal (English) Ballets.
What is ‘center floor’ in ballet class?
The second portion of the ballet class, comprised of the adagio, turns, and small jumps (petit allegro).
What does ‘chaînés’ mean?
“Linked like a chain”. A series of small turning steps with the feet in first position relevé.
What is ‘changement’?
“Changing the feet”. A vertical jump with a change of feet in the air (from fifth position front to fifth back).
What does ‘chassé’ mean?
“Chasing one foot with the other”. The leading foot slides forward into fourth (or side-ward into second), then with a spring off the floor, the stance limb draws up to it in the air, and the leading foot opens to land in fourth (or second). Used as a traveling or transition step.
What is ‘cou-de-pied’?
A unilateral standing posture with the pointed gesture foot held in front of, back of, or wrapped around the ankle of the stance leg.
What does ‘coupé’ mean?
“To cut”. A small intermediary step, used as a link between steps, such as jeté, pas de bourré, etc., using the cou-de-pied position.
What does ‘croix, en’ mean?
“Cross”. Unilateral leg gesture carried out in three directions relative to the dancer’s front (en avant), side (à la seconde), and back (en arrière), making the shape of a cross.
