Die With A Smile by Lady gaga and Bruno Mars inspired me to create a piece using lyrical/ballet elements. I started dancing in college. One thing that I struggled with was ballet terms. The summer after my first semester of dance, I took a ballet class. It was extremely helpful to be able to hear the terms and see them demonstrated in context.
Ballet technique is found in many other dance styles. The following are some common ballet terms, who’s technique is often utilized in other styles of dance.
Assemblé: A step in which the legs come together or assemble before landing.
Attitude: Standing with the weight in one supporting leg , the other extended toward the back at a 90 degree angle.
Battement (grand/petite): The leg extends off the ground and swings high or pulses.
Balancé: Weight shifts to the right foot, crossing the left in back. The weight then shifts to the left, then back to right. The sequence can then repeat to the other side by leading with the left foot.
Chaîné: A quick turn in a small circle done on points/demi pointes
Chassé: The front foot slides across the floor while the back “chases” and replaces it.
Sissone: Jumping from two feet to land on one.
Ballet elements defined by American Ballet Theater (abt.org)
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