Dance Terminology

In dance it is a step in which one foot literally chases the other foot out of its position. It is usually done in a series across the floor or as a lead-in to a leap or other aerial move. (Think of doing a gallop but with straighter legs, pointed feet and taking up more space.)

A term referring to a particular pose in dancing derived from the statue of Mercury by Giovanni da Bologna. It is a position on one leg, with the other leg bent and lifted to the front, side, or rear.

In French means “folded or bent”. In dance it is a bending of the knees done to render the joints and muscles soft and pliable, the tendons flexible and elastic, and to develop a sense of balance.

• tendu

• releve

• plie

• battement

In modern dance, it is a three step movement executed in turn out to music in ¾ or 6/8 time, in the following order: plie, releve, releve. A jazz triplet would be these three steps done to a 4/4 tempo and counted as one-and-two, and most likely done in plie.

A contracting of the abdominal muscles so the lower spine becomes rounded and the abdominal area hollowed out. The shoulders remain directly above the hips.

Explain what turn out is and the way to turn out properly.

The actual steps, groupings, and patterns of a dance work. The movement material itself.

Which of these is not an element of dance?

• Body

• Space

• Time

• Action

• Audience

In dance it is a turning of the whole body on one foot that may be performed in parallel position or in turn-out with the supporting leg in releve or in demi-plie.

What is dance?