Dance Terminology - Dance House Productions

Master the Language of Dance

Dance has its own vocabulary, with many terms borrowed from French (especially in ballet) and other languages. Learning these essential terms will help you understand your instructors better and communicate more effectively in class.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your dance vocabulary, this comprehensive guide covers the fundamental terminology used across all dance styles at Dance House Productions.

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Essential Dance Terms

The fundamental vocabulary every dancer needs to know

Basic Movements & Positions

Fundamental body positions and movements used across all dance styles

Arabesque

[ar-uh-BESK]

A position where the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg extended straight behind the body. The arms can be in various positions, and the working leg should be turned out from the hip.

Example: "Hold your arabesque for four counts, making sure your back leg is lifted high and straight."

Plié

[plee-AY]

A bending of the knees while keeping the back straight and the feet turned out. Can be performed in any of the five positions of the feet. Essential warm-up movement in ballet.

Example: "Start with demi-pliés in first position to warm up your legs."

Relevé

Rising up onto the balls of the feet or pointe. This movement strengthens the feet and calves and is used in many dance styles, not just ballet.

Example: "Hold your relevé for eight counts, keeping your body tall and straight."

Tendu

Stretching the foot along the floor until only the tips of the toes remain in contact with the ground. The leg remains straight and the foot is fully pointed.

Example: "Tendu to the front, keeping your leg straight and foot pointed."

Port de Bras

The movement and positioning of the arms in dance. Literally means "carriage of the arms" in French. Includes the graceful transition between arm positions.

Example: "Practice your port de bras, flowing smoothly from first to fifth position."

Chassé

A gliding step where one foot "chases" the other. The foot slides along the floor and the feet come together briefly before the step is repeated.

Example: "Chassé across the floor, keeping the movement smooth and connected."

Jumps & Leaps

Traveling and vertical movements that add excitement and athleticism to dance

Grand Jeté

A large traveling jump where the dancer throws one leg forward and the other leg back, creating a split in the air. Should show height, distance, and proper technique.

Example: "Run into your grand jeté, showing a clear split position at the peak of the jump."

Sauté

A jump from two feet to two feet, landing in the same position you started from. The most basic jump in ballet, emphasizing proper takeoff and landing technique.

Example: "Sauté in first position, landing softly with bent knees."

Sissonne

A jump from two feet landing on one foot. The free leg can be in various positions such as coupé, passé, or extended.

Example: "Sissonne with your working leg in passé, landing cleanly on one foot."

Leap

A traveling jump from one foot to the other, showing height and distance. In jazz and contemporary dance, leaps can have various shapes and leg positions.

Example: "Show strong opposition in your leap, with one leg forward and one back."

Turns & Rotations

Spinning movements that require balance, control, and proper technique

Pirouette

A complete turn of the body on one foot, typically performed on relevé. The working leg is usually in passé position (foot at the knee of the supporting leg).

Example: "Prepare for your pirouette in fourth position, then turn with your working leg in passé."

Chaînés

A series of quick half-turns performed in a straight line or in a circle. The dancer shifts weight from one foot to the other while spinning continuously.

Example: "Travel across the floor with chaînés, keeping your head spotting to avoid dizziness."

Fouetté

A turn where the working leg "whips" around to generate momentum. The dancer typically stays in the same spot while performing multiple rotations.

Example: "Use your working leg to whip around and maintain momentum in your fouetté turns."

Tour Jeté

A traveling turn combined with a jump. The dancer performs a half turn in the air while the legs switch positions, landing on the opposite foot.

Example: "Execute your tour jeté with a clear jump and turn, switching legs in the air."

Dance Elements & Concepts

Important concepts that apply to all styles of dance

Alignment

The proper positioning of the body parts in relation to each other. Good alignment helps prevent injury and creates clean, beautiful lines in dance.

Example: "Check your alignment: shoulders over hips, head tall, and core engaged."

Turnout

The outward rotation of the legs from the hips, creating the characteristic "duck-footed" position in ballet. True turnout comes from the hip joints, not just the feet.

Example: "Work on your turnout from the hips, not just turning out your feet."

Extension

The ability to lift and hold the leg high while maintaining proper alignment and control. Also refers to the height achieved in leg movements.

Example: "Work on your extension, lifting your leg high while keeping your hips square."

Isolations

Moving one part of the body independently while keeping other parts still. Common in jazz, hip hop, and contemporary dance.

Example: "Practice shoulder isolations, moving only your shoulders while keeping your hips still."

Spotting

A technique used during turns where the dancer focuses on a fixed point and quickly snaps the head around to maintain orientation and prevent dizziness.

Example: "Remember to spot during your turns, focusing on one point in the room."

Musicality

The ability to interpret and respond to music through movement. This includes dancing on beat, expressing the mood of the music, and highlighting musical accents.

Example: "Show your musicality by hitting the accents in the music with sharp movements."

Spatial & Directional Terms

Understanding space and direction in dance movement

Diagonal

Movement across the space at an angle, creating dynamic pathways and visual interest. Diagonals are often used for traveling combinations.

Example: "Travel across the floor on the diagonal with your leap combination."

Circle

Moving in a circular pathway, either as an individual dancer or as part of a group formation.

Example: "Form a circle and take turns dancing in the center."

Spiral

Three-dimensional circular movement that travels through the spine and limbs, creating flowing, organic shapes.

Example: "Let the movement spiral up through your spine and out through your arms."

Parallel

Feet and legs facing straight forward, as opposed to turned out. Common in contemporary and modern dance.

Example: "Stand in parallel position with your feet hip-width apart."

Timing & Rhythm

Musical concepts essential for all dancers

Beat

The basic unit of musical time, the steady pulse that underlies all music. Dancers must feel and move with the beat.

Example: "Count the beats: 1, 2, 3, 4, and step on each beat."

Tempo

The speed of the music, which directly affects the speed and quality of dance movement.

Example: "Adjust your movement quality to match the slow tempo of this song."

Syncopation

Emphasizing off-beats or unexpected rhythmic accents, creating rhythmic interest and complexity.

Example: "Hit the syncopated rhythm on the 'and' counts between the main beats."

Accent

Emphasis on a particular beat or movement, often highlighting important moments in the music.

Example: "Accent that movement by making it sharper and stronger than the others."

Phrase

A musical or movement sentence, typically 8 counts long, that expresses a complete thought or idea.

Example: "Practice this 8-count phrase until it feels natural and flowing."

Canon

Dancers performing the same movement sequence at different times, creating layered visual effects.

Example: "Group A starts first, then Group B begins the same sequence 4 counts later."

Levels & Body Positioning

Exploring different heights and body orientations in space

High Level

Standing, jumping, or elevated positions that use the full height of the body and create upward energy.

Example: "Reach high level by extending your arms overhead and rising on relevé."

Middle Level

Sitting, kneeling, or bent-over positions that place the body between standing and floor levels.

Example: "Move through middle level by bending your knees and lowering your torso."

Low Level

Floor work, crawling, or lying down positions that explore movement close to the ground.

Example: "Transition to low level by rolling down to the floor and continuing the movement."

Contract

Pulling the torso inward from the center, creating a curved spine and inward focus of energy.

Example: "Contract through your core, bringing your ribs toward your pelvis."

Release

Letting go of tension and allowing natural, flowing movement to emerge from the body.

Example: "Release the tension in your shoulders and let your arms flow naturally."

Suspension

Momentary pause or hang time in movement, often at the peak of a jump or gesture.

Example: "Find suspension at the top of your leap before landing."

Energy & Dynamics

Different qualities of movement that create expression and interest

Sharp

Quick, precise, sudden movements that cut through space with clear beginnings and endings.

Example: "Make your arm movements sharp and crisp, like cutting through the air."

Smooth

Flowing, continuous movement without interruption, like moving through honey or water.

Example: "Let your port de bras flow smooth and unbroken from start to finish."

Sustained

Long, drawn-out movement that maintains constant energy throughout its duration.

Example: "Sustain your arabesque, holding the energy and line for the full 8 counts."

Percussive

Hitting or striking quality in movement, with strong accents and explosive energy.

Example: "Give that gesture a percussive quality, like hitting a drum."

Vibratory

Shaking or trembling movement created by rapid, small muscle contractions.

Example: "Add vibratory movement to your hands, like shivering from cold."

Swinging

Pendulum-like motion that uses gravity and momentum, with natural acceleration and deceleration.

Example: "Let your arms swing naturally, using gravity to create the movement."

Formation & Group Work

Organizing dancers in space and coordinating group movement

Line

Dancers arranged in a straight row, either facing the same direction or facing each other.

Example: "Form a line across the back of the studio, evenly spaced apart."

Formation

The arrangement of dancers in space, which can change throughout a piece to create visual interest.

Example: "Move from your triangle formation into two lines for the next section."

Unison

All dancers moving together at the same time, performing identical movements.

Example: "Everyone dance in unison for the chorus, staying perfectly together."

Counterpoint

Different movements happening simultaneously, creating complexity and visual layers.

Example: "Half the group does the arm sequence while the others focus on footwork."

Cluster

Tight grouping of dancers in a small area, creating intimate or crowded visual effects.

Example: "Gather in a cluster center stage, then burst outward on count 8."

Scatter

Dancers spread randomly throughout the space, creating an organic, natural arrangement.

Example: "Scatter across the entire floor, finding your own empty space."

Technical Concepts

Body mechanics and movement principles that improve dance technique

Center of Gravity

The balance point of the body, usually located in the lower torso, which affects stability and movement.

Example: "Keep your center of gravity over your supporting leg during turns."

Momentum

The force that keeps movement going, which can be used to make dancing look effortless and flowing.

Example: "Use the momentum from your jump to flow into the next movement."

Counterbalance

Using opposing forces for stability, often by extending one part of the body while moving another.

Example: "Counterbalance your forward lean by extending your back leg behind you."

Weight Shift

Transferring body weight from one part to another, essential for all traveling movements and balance.

Example: "Shift your weight to your right foot before stepping left."

Follow Through

Completion of a movement's natural path, allowing energy to continue flowing rather than stopping abruptly.

Example: "Let your arm follow through after the throw, don't stop it suddenly."

Initiation

Where a movement begins in the body, which affects the quality and flow of the entire movement.

Example: "Initiate that turn from your core, not just your arms."

Ballet Terminology

Master the classical foundations with terms from our ballet classes. French terminology forms the foundation of classical dance vocabulary worldwide.

Barre

The horizontal rail used for support during warm-up exercises. Also refers to the first part of ballet class where dancers work at the barre.

En Pointe

Dancing on the tips of the toes while wearing pointe shoes. Requires years of training and proper foot and ankle strength.

Grand Battement

A high kick of the leg to the front, side, or back while maintaining proper alignment and control of the supporting leg.

Adagio

Slow, controlled movements that emphasize balance, line, and extension. Often performed in the center of ballet class.

Fifth Position

A basic foot position where the feet are turned out and crossed, with the heel of one foot touching the toe of the other.

Développé

Unfolding the leg from a bent position to a straight, extended position. Develops strength, control, and beautiful line.

Jazz & Commercial Terms

Energy and style from our jazz classes. Jazz dance brings together technical precision with expressive performance and contemporary music.

Jazz Square

Four-step pattern that traces a square on the floor: cross, back, side, front. Foundation step that teaches coordination and direction changes.

Jazz Hands

Distinctive hand position with fingers spread wide and palms facing forward. Often used to add energy and pizzazz to choreography.

Kick Ball Change

Quick three-count movement: kick forward with one foot, step on the ball of that foot, then shift weight to the other foot.

Body Roll

Fluid movement that travels through the spine in a wave-like motion, either from head to tailbone or reverse.

Jazz Walk

Stylized walking with attitude, often with turned-in knees and exaggerated hip movement, expressing the character of the music.

Commercial Style

High-energy dance style often seen in music videos, combining jazz, hip hop, and contemporary elements with strong performance quality.

Hip Hop Vocabulary

Street dance culture from our hip hop classes. Hip hop dance encompasses various street styles with roots in urban culture and self-expression.

Breaking/B-Boying

Original hip hop dance style featuring toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes. Emphasizes creativity, athleticism, and individual style.

Popping

Funk dance style involving quick muscle contractions to create a "popping" effect. Often combined with robotic movements and isolations.

Locking

Energetic dance style featuring distinctive arm movements, hand claps, and "locks" - freezing in position before continuing the movement.

Freestyle

Improvised dancing without predetermined choreography, allowing dancers to express their creativity and respond to the music spontaneously.

Cypher

Circle formed by dancers and spectators where individuals take turns dancing in the center, showcasing their skills and creativity.

Groove/Bounce

The fundamental rhythmic movement in hip hop, connecting the dancer to the music's beat and creating the foundation for all other movements.

Ready to Learn These Terms in Action?

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