ballet terms Part II

Test your ballet knowledge!

1. Which of these terms describes a step that links together like a “chain?”

a) Changement

b) Chaîné

c) Entrelacé

d) Cabriole

2. How is balançoire performed?

a) Swinging the leg from front to back or side to side

b) Balancing for an extended period of time (longer than eight counts) 

c) Waltzing with a repeating step pattern

d) A pirouette that ends on relevé or pointe instead of a traditional pirouette finish

3. How many dancers are in a Pas De Quatre? 

a) Three

b) Four

c) Five

d) Six

4. Which of these two terms are names for the same step but in different training styles?

a) Saut de Chat and Sissonne Fermé

b) En Dehors and Entrelacé

c) Coupé and Détourné

d) Entrelacé and Tour Jeté 

5. Which of these is not the name of a ballet step?

a) Pas de Poisson

b) Pas de Cheval

c) Pas de Souris

d) Pas de Couru

Answers- 

1. Answer- B 

2. Answer- A

Balançoire, (pronounced balɑ̃swaʀ*) is a French word meaning “swing” and is used to describe leg swings. Balançoire is often used as an exercise for leg and hip mobility at the barre. *pronunciation source- collinsdictionary.com 

3. Answer- B 

Pas de Quatre translates to “a dance for four”

4. Answer- D 

Both terms are used to describe the same jump! 

5. Answer- C 

Ballet fun fact! Souris means Mouse in French, and while there are numerous ballet steps named for animals, such as Pas de Poisson (step of the fish) and Pas de Cheval (step of the horse), the step of the mouse isn’t a ballet term! Pas de Couru means “running step.”