Entertainment / Ballet Glossary

Soutenu En Tournant: Similar to tours chaines, a soutenu is a series of turns in quick succession. The dancer must first execute a demi plie while extending the leading leg in a tendu position and then stepping . . . View Full Definition

Split: A split is a configuration of the legs to a straight 180 degree (or more, oversplit), they can be done in right, left, or center positions, the ability to do a split also demonstrates the fl . . . View Full Definition

Sur Le Cou-De-Pied: Literally means, 'on the neck of the foot'. This is a position in which the working foot is placed on the ankle of the supporting leg

Sway Back: When a dancer arches their back too far resulting in an appearance of bad posture.

Temps Leve: A term of the Cecchetti method, meaning 'time raised', or 'raising movement'. This is a hop from one foot with the other raised in any position. The instep is fully arched when leaving the g . . . View Full Definition

Temps Leve Saute: A term of the Russian school, meaning 'time raised jumped'. It can be done in first, second, third, fourth or fifth position. The dancer, after a demi-plie, jumps in the air and then lands w . . . View Full Definition

Tendu: Literally, 'stretched': a common abbreviation for battement tendu.either front,side,or backward

Tombe: Typically a beginning movement. For a tombe en avant, the dancer begins with a coupe front and then, after extending the leg from the coupe in fourth position front (or second or fifth back, . . . View Full Definition

Tours En Lair: Literally 'turn in the air'. A jump, typically for a male, with a full rotation. The landing can be to both feet: on one leg with the other extended in attitude or arabesque: or down to one . . . View Full Definition

Triple Runs: One big step, followed by two little steps, can be done in a circle.

Turn-Out: A rotation of the leg from the hips, causing the knee and foot to also turn outward. Properly done, the ankles remain erect and the foot arch remains curved and supporting. Turn-out techniqu . . . View Full Definition

Waltz: Can be used to describe a type of ballet music, counted in 3/4 music tempo (as 'one, two, three'). It is also a step in ballet dance, which can be done in a variety of ways. The waltz step a . . . View Full Definition

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