This document provides an overview of ballet class. It discusses that classes typically spend up to 30 minutes at the barre doing warm up exercises like plies and tendues. It also describes the standard ballet uniform of a dark bodysuit and tights, and mentions some ballet terminology like coup de pieds and fifth position.

1. A LOOK INTO A BALLET
CLASS
by Natalie

2. A dancer’s bag is an essential item
have. It can carry everything and
anything, from stage makeup to toe
pads, leg warmers to snacks.

3. A ballet class doesn’t start immediately with centre work. We usually spend up to half an
hour at the barre, doing exercises designed to warm up, stretch and prepare our muscles.
These include ballet movements such as plies, tendues and grand battements.

4. Although there are no male dancers at my studio, male
ballet dancers are certainly encouraged, and can become
just as successful as their female counterparts.

5. A standard ballet “uniform” includes a dark-coloured bodysuit,
creamy or white tights (preferably open-toed tights), and ballet
slippers. Teachers usually allow different coloured bodysuits.

6. The exercise shown here involves
“coup de pieds,” which, literally
translated, means “cut of the
foot,” and involves one foot
“cutting” across the other.

7. A group of performing ballet dancers is called the corp (pronounced “corr”) and is
most prominent in ballets such as Swan Lake.

8. The dancers here are shown standing in fifth position, a turned-out position of the feet.

9. We are currently studying ballet in the RAD (Royal Academy
of Dance) and Imperial methods.