Pointes and Perspective #31 The Power Of A Word

The Power of a Word

I walked into my 5:30 Beginner/Intermediate Ballet on Tuesday night, and the entire class swarmed around me, anxious to share some news from their weekend. They were giddy, and impatient, excitedly taking their places at the barre, as I walked to the corner to place my lesson plan and water bottle down. I readied myself for class, and then turned to their wide eyes, big smiles, and raised hands.

I gestured to Avery, and she and Charlotte who stood next to her, cooperatively shared the storytelling, as the rest of the group nodded their heads, and smiled in collaboration. “Miss Heather! This past weekend we attended a dance convention. And we took a Ballet class! It was SOOO crowded, and we were WAAAY in the back, unable to see the teacher at all! BUT, he had a microphone and we could hear him. And since we know ALL our terminology from your class, we were able to learn the combinations!!!”

Oh my! My heart soared, as I responded to them through a giant grin. I expressed my absolute pride and excitement that they were able to use their knowledge of Ballet vocabulary, confirming it’s undeniable importance in their “toolbox” as artists.

A couple weeks ago, I was stepping in as a substitute teacher for an advanced Ballet class of adults. The class was made up of accomplished dancers aged approximately 30 to 60 years old, many of whom had retired from professional and pre professional positions in Ballet. I was teaching an Adagio combination, dictating as I performed a chassé en avant, chassé en arrière, and chassé de coté. A usually quiet student, very suddenly stopped me, flabbergasted, “What did you just call that step?! I have NEVER heard that term! In all my years of dancing, my teachers have always referred to that as a la seconde!”

She was so excited to make a fresh discovery in a world she was already well versed. And I was pleased and honored to share in her discovery and growth.

Just over a year ago, at the closing of one of my student’s first semester as a dance major at Marymount Manhattan College, I received a message from her mother. “Lauren asked me to thank you for teaching them all the ballet terms! She aced her Ballet midterm because of you!”

I was so grateful that she passed along this wonderful news, and delighted that my teachings had stuck with her, and helped her succeed!

I love teaching authentic, thorough Ballet classes, including the importance of learning Ballet terminology!

Ballet terminology provides a universal language that allows teachers to give clear instructions without needing to demonstrate or explain.

Dancers can take ballet classes around the world, in different environments, learning from multiple teachers with confidence. They can stand out as knowledgeable, well-trained artists in auditions, classes, and rehearsals.

Terminology is not simply vocabulary words but the building blocks to developing effective communication, technical precision, and artistic expression.

Dancers learn to appreciate the history of Ballet terminology that dates back to the 17th century when it was formalized in the French court, and encourages them to uphold the legacy of classical dance.

For dancers who aspire to become dance educators, a strong command of ballet terminology is essential to communicating, providing corrections, and instilling discipline and structure.

As a guest instructor, I am too often saddened to find that the students know very little Ballet terminology. I give them as much as I can fit into the guest class, but leave wishing instructors and directors knew of its importance in their dancer’s careers.

If dancers attend University, they WILL have an exam on terminology. If they go into a conservatory or professional company, they WILL have instructors who do not show combinations but rather dictate them using the terminology. And if your students simply dance recreationally for the love of it, they WILL be enlightened, knowledgeable, and confident if they know their Ballet terminology.

Teach your dancers Ballet terminology!

“Words have the power to make things happen.” - Frederick Buechner