Pirouette

an act of spinning on one foot, typically with the raised foot touching the knee of the supporting leg.

Piqué

a sharp, pricking movement where a dancer transfers weight onto the working foot (either on demi-pointe or pointe) while the other leg is raised in the air

Arabesque

a posture in which the body is supported on one leg, with the other leg extended horizontally backward.

Battement

a range of movements involving an extension of the working leg to the front, side, or back

Contraction

a shortened form of a word or group of words, often used in place of the full form

Chaine

a series of small, quick turns performed in a straight line across the stage, often used for movement and transitions

3-step turn

a basic movement where three steps are used to complete a turn, often a half or full turn

Demi-Plie

a slight bending of the knees, where the heels remain on the ground

Grand-Plie

a deep knee bend where the dancer's heels lift off the floor

Tendu

a foundational movement where the dancer stretches a leg out to the front, side, or back, maintaining a point on the floor with the extended foot

Degage

a basic movement where the working leg is brushed off the floor and extended in a straight line, then returned to a closed position

Isolation

the technique of moving one specific part of the body independently from the rest while keeping the other parts stationary

Polyrhythmic

the simultaneous execution of multiple, contrasting rhythmic patterns

Jete

a jump in which a dancer springs from one foot to land on the other with one leg extended outward from the body while in the air.

Saut de Chat

a classical ballet leap where the dancer lifts their front leg to a split position in the air while simultaneously pushing off with the back leg

Pas de Deux

a dance duet performed by two dancers, typically a male and a female, in a classical ballet style

Releve

a movement in which the dancer rises on the tips of the toes.

Spiral

participants spiral into and out of a circle while holding hands, typically led by a leader using a grapevine step

Step

any dance form where the steps or footwork are a primary focus

Stomp

When the dancer or dancers make stomp movements in a dance.

Stamp

a flat-footed sound where both the heel and ball of the foot hit the floor simultaneously, creating a single sound

Dig

a movement where the heel of the free foot strikes the floor without transferring weight

Improvisation

the spontaneous creation of movement, without pre-determined choreography

Pas de bourrée

a three-step movement, meaning "step of the bourrée"

Rond de jamb

a movement where the working leg draws a semi-circular or "D" shape with the foot on the floor or in the air

Tombe

a controlled "fall" in ballet, where the dancer shifts weight from one leg to another, landing on the working leg in a plié

Frappe

a movement where the working foot strikes the floor, then extends outward to a pointed or flexed position before returning to the original position

Glissade

a sliding step, often used as a preparatory step before jumps or to connect other movements

Echappe

a movement where a dancer slides or opens their feet from a closed position (like fifth position) to an open position (like second or fourth position)

Attitude

a specific classical ballet position where one leg is lifted, bent at the knee, and held up behind the body (attitude derriere), or in front (attitude devant)

Soutenu

a turn step where the dancer transitions between fifth position

Develop

the dancer unfolds their leg from a bent position into a full extension

Top rock

dance moves performed while standing up, typically at the beginning of a throwdown

Get down

to start dancing or move to the music in an energetic and expressive way

Flatback

a body position where the spine is kept parallel to the floor, resembling a flat surface

Contraction

a forward curving of the spine, starting from the pelvis, with the muscles in the abdomen contracting and drawing inward

Jazz Walk

a stylized form of walking, characterized by a tiptoeing motion and a forward-moving strut, often with a slinky or cat-like gait

Jazz Square

a fundamental dance step in jazz dance (and other genres) where dancers create a square pattern with their feet

Drop Swing

one partner leads the other down, towards the floor, while maintaining connection

Prance

a movement where weight is transferred from one leg to the other, with emphasis on the shape of the foot as it leaves and returns to the floor

Release

a technique or style that emphasizes letting go of unnecessary muscular tension to achieve greater ease, fluidity, and efficiency of movement.

Extension

the ability to raise and hold a leg in the air

Triplet

a series of three steps, often done in a down, up, up sequence

Pantomime

a story or narrative conveyed through bodily movements and facial expressions, without the use of spoken words