Beginning and Intermediate Dance Ballet Terminolog

Did you know Ballet originated in France under the reign of King Louis the XIV (14th)? Only nobility members were permitted to perform Ballet. When they performed with the King they were not allowed to perform choreography which would upstage him. If they did this, he had them beheaded!

Plie – To bend

Releve – To rise

Tendu – to stretch

Passe – half passed

Degage – To disengage

Grande Battement – large beating

Ronde de jambe – circle or round of the leg

Glissade – to glide

Jete – to throw

Pas de chat – step of the cat

Coupe – to cut

Pas de bourree – Bourree step (the “Bourree” was a French folk dance form)