Vocabulary Words Every Ballet Instructor Should Know

Dance

Definition: To move rhythmically to music.

• We will dance at the party tonight.
• She loves to dance to her favorite songs.
• The kids dance during music class.

Dance in a sentence

Ballet

Definition: A highly technical form of dance with its own vocabulary; often tells a story.

• She takes ballet lessons every week.
• The ballet performance was beautiful and graceful.
• He loves watching ballet for its artistic expression.

Ballet in a sentence

Jump

Definition: To push oneself off the ground and into the air.

• The kids love to jump on the trampoline.
• He can jump really high during basketball.
• She will jump over the puddle to stay dry.

Jump in a sentence

Turn

Definition: to change direction; a change in position

• He had to turn left at the intersection.
• They will turn the page to continue reading.
• It's your turn to speak in the discussion.

Turn in a sentence

Step

Definition: One movement of the foot in walking; a stage in a process.

• Take a step forward to join the line.
• She is learning to take small steps.
• The first step is to make a plan.

Step in a sentence

Arm

Definition: A limb of the human body used for reaching and holding.

• She raised her arm to ask a question.
• He hurt his arm while playing basketball.
• Understanding arm anatomy is essential for health education.

Arm in a sentence

Leg

Definition: a limb used for walking or supporting the body

• The dog has a hurt leg and needs to rest.
• He stretched his leg after running.
• Understanding legs is important for learning about anatomy.

Leg in a sentence

Foot

Definition: the lower part of the leg used for standing and walking

• He hurt his foot while playing.
• She measured the table in feet.
• The foot of the mountain was covered in snow.

Foot in a sentence

Music

Definition: Sounds arranged in a way that is pleasant or meaningful.

• I love listening to music.
• She plays music during her study time.
• They went to a music festival last weekend.

Music in a sentence

Class

Definition: A group of students learning together or a subject taught in school.

• I have math class every Monday.
• The class went on a field trip to the museum.
• She is my favorite teacher in class.

Class in a sentence

Teacher

Definition: A person who educates students in a school.

• My teacher is very supportive.
• She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
• He enjoys being a teacher and helping others learn.

Teacher in a sentence

Student

Definition: A person who is learning, especially in a school.

• She is a student at the local high school.
• The student asked a question in class.
• He helped a fellow student with her homework.

Student in a sentence

Learn

Definition: To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.

• I want to learn how to play the guitar.
• We learn new words every week in class.
• She loves to learn about different cultures.

Learn in a sentence

Pose

Definition: To assume a particular position or stance, often for a photo or to create a specific impression.

• They decided to pose for a picture at the park.
• He likes to pose like a superhero when taking photos.
• She asked her friends to pose together for the group photo.

Pose in a sentence

Stretch

Definition: To extend or lengthen something; to make flexible.

• I like to stretch before exercising.
• Please stretch your arms and legs.
• He will stretch the rubber band to see how far it goes.

Stretch in a sentence

Floor

Definition: The surface of a room that you walk on; also refers to a level in a building.

• The floor was made of shiny wood.
• She dropped her backpack on the floor.
• They live on the second floor of the apartment building.

Floor in a sentence

Stage

Definition: a raised platform where performances take place

• The actors performed on the stage with enthusiasm.
• She designed the stage for the school play.
• The stage was decorated beautifully for the event.

Stage in a sentence

Partner

Definition: A person who takes part in an activity with another.

• She is my partner for the science project.
• They work as business partners.
• He asked her to be his partner in the dance.

Partner in a sentence

Group

Definition: A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.

• We worked in a group for the science project.
• A group of students went on a field trip.
• The group will meet every Wednesday to discuss their plans.

Group in a sentence

Rehearse

Definition: To practice a performance or presentation.

• We will rehearse for the school play tomorrow.
• She needs to rehearse her speech.
• They rehearsed their dance routine all week.

Rehearse in a sentence

Move

Definition: To change position or place.

• Please move your chair closer.
• The train will move soon.
• She moved to a new city.

Move in a sentence

Perform

Definition: To carry out a task or entertain an audience.

• He will perform a magic trick at the party.
• They love to perform in front of their friends.
• She will perform a dance at the school event.

Perform in a sentence

Practice

Definition: To repeat an activity to improve skills.

• He needs to practice playing the piano.
• She practices soccer every day.
• Practice makes perfect in any sport.

Practice in a sentence

Hand

Definition: The end part of a person's arm, used for holding and touching.

• She raised her hand to answer the question.
• He shook my hand when we met.
• I hurt my hand while playing sports.

Hand in a sentence

Body

Definition: The physical structure of a person or animal.

• My body needs rest after a long day.
• We must take care of our body through exercise.
• The human body is made up of many systems.

Body in a sentence

Position

Definition: The location or arrangement of something; also refers to a job or role.

• The chair's position in the room was perfect for reading.
• She applied for a position at the company.
• His position as team leader requires good communication skills.

Position in a sentence

Line

Definition: A long, narrow mark or a series of people or things arranged in a row.

• Please stand in a line to enter the classroom.
• The line on the paper helps me write straight.
• Draw a line under the correct answer.

Line in a sentence

Rhythm

Definition: A repeated pattern of sounds or movements; the beat in music.

• She danced to the rhythm of the song.
• His heartbeat had a steady rhythm during exercise.
• They learned about rhythm in music class.

Rhythm in a sentence

Instructor

Definition: A person who teaches a course or skill, often in a formal setting.

• The instructor explained the lesson clearly.
• She is a dance instructor at the local studio.
• The instructor provided helpful feedback on the project.

Instructor in a sentence

Movement

Definition: A change in position or a group working towards a common goal.

• The movement for climate change is growing.
• He felt a sudden movement in the water.
• They joined the movement to support equality.

Movement in a sentence

Technique

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in a skillful manner.

• He learned a new technique for playing the guitar.
• The artist used a unique technique for her painting.
• We practiced the technique repeatedly to improve.

Technique in a sentence

Performance

Definition: The act of doing something, especially in front of an audience; how well someone does a task.

• The performance of the students was impressive.
• He practiced daily for his music performance.
• Her performance in the play earned her applause.

Performance in a sentence

Rehearsal

Definition: A practice session for a performance or event.

• The cast had a rehearsal for the play.
• They scheduled a rehearsal for the concert.
• She felt nervous before the rehearsal started.

Rehearsal in a sentence

Flexibility

Definition: The ability to change or adapt easily; willingness to adjust.

• Flexibility is important in a fast-paced environment.
• He demonstrated flexibility in handling unexpected challenges.
• She values flexibility in her work schedule.

Flexibility in a sentence

Costume

Definition: clothing worn for a specific purpose or occasion, often for play

• He wore a superhero costume for Halloween.
• The school play required everyone to wear a costume.
• She designed a beautiful costume for the dance.

Costume in a sentence

Balance

Definition: A state of stability; an equal distribution of weight or amount.

• It's important to maintain a balance between work and play.
• She tries to balance her studies and hobbies.
• The scale showed a perfect balance.

Balance in a sentence

Grace

Definition: smoothness and elegance in movement or behavior

• The dancer moved with grace across the stage.
• She accepted the award with grace.
• His grace in handling the situation impressed everyone.

Grace in a sentence

Expression

Definition: A way to convey thoughts or feelings; a look on one's face.

• Her expression showed she was happy.
• He used a facial expression to communicate.
• The artist captured emotion in her expression.

Expression in a sentence

Warm-up

Definition: An activity to prepare for exercise.

• We did a warm-up before the game.
• It's important to warm up your muscles first.
• He always has a warm-up routine before running.

Routine

Definition: A regular way of doing things; a set sequence of actions.

• I have a morning routine that helps me start my day.
• She follows a workout routine every day.
• It's important to have a study routine for success.

Routine in a sentence

Choreography

Definition: The art of designing sequences of movements in dance or performance.

• The choreography for the dance was beautiful.
• She studied choreography in college.
• He created the choreography for the school play.

Choreography in a sentence

Concentration

Definition: The act of focusing attention; the amount of a substance in a mixture.

• Concentration is important for studying effectively.
• The concentration of salt in the water was measured.
• He struggled with concentration while doing homework.

Concentration in a sentence

Alignment

Definition: The arrangement of something in a straight line; agreement.

• The alignment of the wheels was off, causing issues.
• They checked the alignment of the project goals.
• Proper alignment is crucial for the machine's operation.

Alignment in a sentence

Strength

Definition: The quality of being strong; physical power.

• He has the strength to lift heavy weights.
• She showed great strength during the competition.
• They admire her strength and determination.

Strength in a sentence

Posture

Definition: The position in which someone holds their body.

• Good posture is important for health.
• She sat up straight to improve her posture.
• Practice good posture when sitting at a desk.

Posture in a sentence

Barre

Definition: A horizontal handrail used in ballet training.

• She practiced her positions at the barre.
• The barre helps dancers maintain balance.
• He took a ballet class to learn how to use the barre.

Pirouette

Definition: A rapid spin or turn performed by a dancer.

• She did a perfect pirouette during the ballet recital.
• The dancer's pirouette was impressive to watch.
• He practiced his pirouette until he got it right.

Tendu

Definition: A ballet term meaning to stretch or extend the leg.

• She practiced her tendu to improve her dance technique.
• The dancer executed a perfect tendu across the stage.
• Understanding tendu is important in ballet training.

Adagio

Definition: A musical term meaning to play slowly.

• The adagio in the symphony was beautiful.
• They practiced the adagio section for weeks.
• The dancers performed an adagio that captivated the audience.

Adagio in a sentence

Allegro

Definition: A musical term indicating a fast and lively tempo.

• The pianist played the piece in allegro tempo.
• She learned to recognize allegro in music class.
• The symphony included an allegro movement that energized the audience.

Allegro in a sentence

Grand

Definition: impressive and large in size or appearance

• The palace was grand and beautifully decorated.
• Her grand entrance caught everyone's attention.
• They planned a grand celebration for the anniversary.

Grand in a sentence

Petite

Definition: A term used to describe someone who is small and slender in build.

• She wore a petite dress that fit her perfectly.
• He is looking for petite clothing options.
• Understanding "petite" helps in finding suitable sizes.

Petite in a sentence

Variation

Definition: A change or difference in condition, amount, or level.

• There was a variation in temperature throughout the day.
• The teacher noted the variation in students' test scores.
• Understanding variation is important in science experiments.

Variation in a sentence

Audition

Definition: A tryout for a role in a play, movie, or performance.

• She prepared for her audition by practicing the song.
• He was nervous before the audition for the school play.
• Understanding auditions can help in performing arts.

Audition in a sentence

Coach

Definition: A person who trains and instructs a team or individual.

• My coach helps me improve my basketball skills.
• We have a great coach who teaches us teamwork.
• I want to be a coach when I grow up.

Coach in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Skill

Definition: The ability to do something well.

• He has a skill for painting.
• Her cooking skill has improved.
• They are learning new skills in their classes.

Skill in a sentence

Energy

Definition: The ability to do work or cause change; vitality.

• I need more energy to finish my homework.
• He has a lot of energy after a good sleep.
• They use solar energy to power their home.

Energy in a sentence

Focus

Definition: To concentrate on something.

• Please focus on your studies.
• She needs to focus during the test.
• He lost focus while watching TV.

Focus in a sentence

Creativity

Definition: The ability to produce original ideas or things; inventiveness.

• Creativity is important in art and problem-solving.
• She used her creativity to design a poster.
• Encouraging creativity helps students express themselves.

Creativity in a sentence

Style

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in art or fashion.

• She has a unique style of dressing.
• His writing style is very simple.
• The house was built in a modern style.

Style in a sentence

Interpretation

Definition: the act of explaining or understanding something

• His interpretation of the poem was interesting.
• She gave a clear interpretation of the rules.
• The interpretation of the data helped us understand better.

Interpretation in a sentence

Audience

Definition: A group of people who listen to or watch something.

• The audience clapped after the performance.
• There were many people in the audience at the concert.
• The speaker engaged the audience with interesting stories.

Audience in a sentence

Emotion

Definition: A strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, or anger.

• She expressed her emotion through art.
• Understanding your emotion is important.
• He felt a wave of emotion during the movie.

Emotion in a sentence

Artistry

Definition: The skill and creativity involved in creating art.

• His artistry is evident in the detailed paintings he creates.
• Artistry requires practice and passion.
• She admired the artistry of the sculptor's work.

Artistry in a sentence

Discipline

Definition: Training to improve behavior or skills; also refers to a branch of knowledge.

• She has good discipline when studying.
• The discipline of science includes many subjects.
• He learned self-discipline through sports.

Discipline in a sentence

Coordination

Definition: The organization of different elements to work together effectively.

• Good coordination is necessary for a successful event.
• They practiced for weeks to ensure coordination during the performance.
• Coordination among team members improves results.

Coordination in a sentence

Elevation

Definition: The height of a place above sea level; also refers to raising something.

• The elevation of the mountain was over 2,000 meters.
• He checked the elevation of the hiking trail on the map.
• Understanding elevation helps in geography studies.

Elevation in a sentence

Extension

Definition: An increase in length or duration; an additional part added.

• He asked for an extension on his homework deadline.
• The extension of the road will help reduce traffic.
• She used an extension cord to reach the outlet.

Extension in a sentence

Improvisation

Definition: The act of creating or performing spontaneously without preparation.

• He enjoys improvisation in his theater performances.
• Improvisation can lead to creative solutions in discussions.
• She practiced improvisation to enhance her acting skills.

Improvisation in a sentence

Isolation

Definition: The state of being alone or separated from others.

• Isolation can be challenging for many people.
• She felt a sense of isolation living far from friends.
• The research focused on the effects of social isolation.

Isolation in a sentence

Placement

Definition: The act of putting something in a specific location; also refers to assigning someone to a job or position.

• The placement of the furniture made the room feel spacious.
• He received a job placement after his internship.
• Understanding placement can improve organization skills.

Placement in a sentence

Turnout

Definition: the number of people attending an event; the amount produced

• The turnout for the concert was amazing.
• They expected a large turnout for the election.
• The turnout for the game was better than last year.

Turnout in a sentence

Arabesque

Definition: a decorative design featuring intricate patterns

• The arabesque on the wall added elegance to the room.
• She admired the arabesque details in the architecture.
• The artist painted an arabesque that captivated viewers.

Arabesque in a sentence

Battement

Definition: A dance movement where one leg is extended and returned.

• She practiced the battement in her ballet class.
• The teacher demonstrated the battement for the students.
• Battement is essential for ballet choreography.

Cabriole

Definition: a furniture leg that curves outward and then inward

• The cabriole leg design is elegant and classic.
• She admired the cabriole legs on the antique table.
• Cabriole legs are often found on traditional furniture.

Pas De Deux

Definition: A dance for two people, often seen in ballet; a duet.

• The pas de deux in the performance was beautiful.
• They rehearsed the pas de deux for the upcoming show.
• He enjoyed watching the elegant pas de deux.

Pas De Deux in a sentence

Rond De Jambe

Definition: A ballet term meaning "round of the leg," describing a movement of the leg.

• She practiced her rond de jambe in ballet class.
• The dancer performed a beautiful rond de jambe.
• Rond de jambe helps improve leg flexibility.

Port De Bras

Definition: A French term meaning "carriage of the arms," used in ballet.

• The dancer practiced her port de bras to improve her grace.
• Good port de bras enhances the beauty of a performance.
• She learned port de bras in her ballet class.

Saut De Chat

Definition: A ballet jump where one leg is extended while the other is drawn up.

• She practiced her saut de chat for the performance.
• The dancer executed a perfect saut de chat.
• The saut de chat requires grace and strength.

Tour En L'air

Definition: A ballet term referring to a turn in the air; often used in dance.

• The dancer performed a beautiful tour en l'air during her routine.
• She practiced her tour en l'air for the upcoming performance.
• Understanding tour en l'air is important in ballet.

Glissade

Definition: a sliding movement in ballet

• She performed a graceful glissade across the stage.
• The dancer's glissade was mesmerizing to watch.
• He practiced the glissade for the upcoming performance.

Sissonne

Definition: A ballet jump where one leg is raised and the other leg springs off the ground.

• She practiced her sissonne for the performance.
• The dancer performed a beautiful sissonne.
• Learning the sissonne takes practice and skill.

Coda

Definition: The concluding section of a piece of music or literary work.

• The coda of the song brought it to a beautiful end.
• He appreciated the coda in the symphony.
• The story had a surprising coda that made it memorable.

Coda in a sentence

En Pointe

Definition: A ballet term meaning "on the tip of the toes"; a position in dance.

• She practiced dancing en pointe for the performance.
• The dancer was graceful while moving en pointe.
• En pointe requires strength and skill.

Fondu

Definition: a dish made of melted cheese, chocolate, or other ingredients

• We enjoyed a delicious cheese fondu at dinner.
• The fondu was served with bread for dipping.
• She made chocolate fondu for dessert.