Ballet Term of the Week - Sur le cou-de-pied

Sur le cou-de-pied
[sewr luh koo-duh-PYAY]
On the "Neck" of the foot. The working foot is placed on the part of the leg between the base of the calf and the beginning of the ankle.

Ballet Term of the Week - Relevé

Relevé
[ruhl-VAY]
Raised. A raising of the body on the points or demi-pointes, point or demi-pointe. There are two ways to relevé. In the French School, relevé is done with a smooth, continuous rise while the Cecchetti method and the Russian School use a little spring. Relevé may be done in the first, second, fourth or fifth position, en attitude, en arabesque, devant, derrière, en tournant, passé en avant, passé en arrière and so on.

Ballet Term of the Week - Rond de jambe

Rond de jambe
[rawn duh zhahnb]
Round of the leg, that is, a circular movement of the leg. Rond de jambe are used as an exercise at the bar, in the centre and in the adage, and are done à terre or en l'air. When used as a step, rond de jambe are done en l'air and may be sauté or relevé. All are done clockwise (en dehors) and counterclockwise (en dedans).

Ballet Term of the Week - Battement Dégagé

Battement dégagé
[bat-MAHN day-ga-ZHAY]
Disengaged battement. A term of the Cecchetti method. The battement dégagé is similar to the battement tendu but is done at twice the speed and the working foot rises about four inches from the floor with a well-pointed toe, then slides back into the the first or fifth position. Battements dégagés strengthen the toes, develop the instep and improve the flexibility of the ankle joint. Same as battement tendu jeté (Russian School), battement glissé (French School).