Dance Terminology Review
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Releve- to rise onto the toes
Plie- to lower the pelvis by bending the knees over the toes
Passe- Toe is drawn up to touch the opposite knee, can be parallel or turned out
Tendu- To stretch the foot along the floor to a full point
Jazz walk- Rhythmic walks usually done moving sideways or forward with the hips initiating the
movement
Pivot turn- Step forward on one foot and turn 180 degrees without picking up the feet
Chasse- to chase: step together step performed with a gliding action: feet “kiss” and point in the
middle
Chaine turn- “chain” : a tow step turn that can be performed in releve or plie
Pirouette- a turn in place on one leg with the working leg usually in passé (parallel or turned
out)
Spotting- enables a dancer to do a number of turns without becoming dizzy. Focus on an object
with head at a natural position until the head con no longer hold it anymore. Head then snaps
around to the starting position.
Jazz hand-a hand position in which the fingers are spread very far apart
Port de bras- “carriage of the arms”: arm movements and groups of exercises for the arms
En croix- “in the shape of a cross”: to perform an exercise to the front, side, and back
Grande jete- “large jump: takes off of one foot and lands on the other, attempting a “split”
position in the air
Pas de bourree- “step to the rear” consists of three weight shifts-back, side, front- can be done
in many directions or turning
Choreography- the act of arranging movement into a meaningful whole
Choreographer- one who creates dances
Turnout- rotating the legs outward from the hip socket
Parallel- the opposite of turnout: knees and feet face forward with no rotation
Projection- the performer’s energy, presence and facial expression used to communicate with
the audience.
Pique turn- “to prick”: a traveling turn performed by stepping onto a straight leg with the
working leg in passé
Ronde de jambe- “round of the leg”: a circular movement of the leg
Dance Terminology Review
Releve- to rise onto the toes
Plie- to lower the pelvis by bending the knees over the toes
Passe- Toe is drawn up to touch the opposite knee, can be parallel or turned out
Tendu- To stretch the foot along the floor to a full point
Pivot turn- Step forward on one foot and turn 180 degrees without picking up the feet
Chasse- to chase: step together step performed with a gliding action: feet “kiss” and point in the
middle
Chaine turn- “chain” : a tow step turn that can be performed in releve or plie
Pirouette- a turn in place on one leg with the working leg usually in passé (parallel or turned
out)
Spotting- enables a dancer to do a number of turns without becoming dizzy. Focus on an object
with head at a natural position until the head con no longer hold it anymore. Head then snaps
around to the starting position.
Port de bras- “carriage of the arms”: arm movements and groups of exercises for the arms
En croix- “in the shape of a cross”: to perform an exercise to the front, side, and back
Grande jete- “large jump: takes off of one foot and lands on the other, attempting a “split”
position in the air
Pas de bourree- “step to the rear” consists of three weight shifts-back, side, front- can be done
in many directions or turning
Choreography- the act of arranging movement into a meaningful whole
Choreographer- one who creates dances
Turnout- rotating the legs outward from the hip socket
Parallel- the opposite of turnout: knees and feet face forward with no rotation
Projection- the performer’s energy, presence and facial expression used to communicate with
the audience.
Pique turn- “to prick”: a traveling turn performed by stepping onto a straight leg with the
working leg in passé