Pirouette: A controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plie and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retire position, or in attitude, arabesque level or second position. The pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise. A pirouette is most often en dehors turning outwards toward the back leg, but can also be en dedans turning inwards toward the front leg. Although ballet pirouettes are performed with the hips and legs rotated outward ('turned out'), it is common to see them performed with an inward rotation ('parallel') in other genres of dance, such as jazz and modern. Turning technique includes spotting, in which a dancer executes a periodic, rapid rotation of the head that serves to fix the dancer's gaze on a single spot. Spotting is particularly important in traveling turns such as tours chaines or piques because it helps the dancer control the direction of travel while keeping balanced. Pirouettes can be executed with a single or multiple rotations.

 

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Pirouette: A controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plie and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retire . . . View Full Definition

Retire Position: The working leg is raised to the side, with knee sharply bent so the toe is pointed next to the supporting knee (front, side, back). Common pose during standard pirouette, intermediate posit . . . View Full Definition

Retire Devant: The working leg is raised just in front of the knee cap (but can be raised higher) and is sharply bent and 'turned out' to the side. It is a common pose during standard pirouette both en ded . . . View Full Definition

Partnering: In general, partnering is an effort by both the male and female dancers to achieve a harmony of movement so that the audience is unaware of the mechanics to enjoy the emotional effects. Also . . . View Full Definition