spring ball related fun Ballet Terminology learn&discuss

PIROUTTES

Actually, pirouttes is the ballet term for spinning, except that it specially refers to the spins in Ballet. According to Ballet wiki: A turn on one leg, often starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto Relevé (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg is held in Passé. A pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise. (ooh so many more terms to explain)

Let me give a brief explanation-- pirouttes are spins done while only one leg is on the ground, which is straight. The other leg is in the air. According to which direction the dancer is spinning, pirouttes are categorized into piroutte en dehors and piroutte en dedans. (for example, if the left leg is straight, spinning rightwards is piroutte en dehors, spinning leftwards is piroutte en dedans) In Cassie's rp, there is also a term called double pirouttes that is simply lifting one leg from the ground, and spin two turns on pointe before standing back on the ground with both feet. More turns? a multiple piroutte!

Sound difficult? See the gifs below! They are respectively-- piroutte en dedans, piroutte en dehors, a special kind of piroutte en dehors and a multiple piroutte from the left to the right. Please tell me if you have any questions!

Cassie Jiang wrote: 20 Mar 2026, 11:33

PIROUTTES

Actually, pirouttes is the ballet term for spinning, except that it specially refers to the spins in Ballet. According to Ballet wiki: A turn on one leg, often starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto Relevé (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg is held in Passé. A pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise. (ooh so many more terms to explain)

Let me give a brief explanation-- pirouttes are spins done while only one leg is on the ground, which is straight. The other leg is in the air. According to which direction the dancer is spinning, pirouttes are categorized into piroutte en dehors and piroutte en dedans. (for example, if the left leg is straight, spinning rightwards is piroutte en dehors, spinning leftwards is piroutte en dedans) In Cassie's rp, there is also a term called double pirouttes that is simply lifting one leg from the ground, and spin two turns on pointe before standing back on the ground with both feet. More turns? a multiple piroutte!

Sound difficult? See the gifs below! They are respectively-- piroutte en dedans, piroutte en dehors, a special kind of piroutte en dehors and a multiple piroutte from the left to the right. Please tell me if you have any questions!

Nick Jameson wrote: 20 Mar 2026, 17:05

Cassie Jiang wrote: 20 Mar 2026, 11:33

PIROUTTES

Actually, pirouttes is the ballet term for spinning, except that it specially refers to the spins in Ballet. According to Ballet wiki: A turn on one leg, often starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto Relevé (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg is held in Passé. A pirouette may return to the starting position or finish in arabesque or attitude positions, or proceed otherwise. (ooh so many more terms to explain)

Let me give a brief explanation-- pirouttes are spins done while only one leg is on the ground, which is straight. The other leg is in the air. According to which direction the dancer is spinning, pirouttes are categorized into piroutte en dehors and piroutte en dedans. (for example, if the left leg is straight, spinning rightwards is piroutte en dehors, spinning leftwards is piroutte en dedans) In Cassie's rp, there is also a term called double pirouttes that is simply lifting one leg from the ground, and spin two turns on pointe before standing back on the ground with both feet. More turns? a multiple piroutte!

Sound difficult? See the gifs below! They are respectively-- piroutte en dedans, piroutte en dehors, a special kind of piroutte en dehors and a multiple piroutte from the left to the right. Please tell me if you have any questions!

What’s a Relevé

As I promised @Nick Jameson earlier today, we'll be focusing on...
Relevé and Pointe today!

Relevé
Meaning: To rise up on your feet.
You lift your heels off the floor, standing on the balls of your feet (or toes, if you’re not in pointe shoes). This is a basic move most ballerinas learn in their first 3-4 years of learning. This can be done wearing socks/regular ballet shoes, pointe shoes are not needed. If you see videos of young children dancing ballet, they are usually doing relevé, this is also like something you'll do when you are walking on tiptoes. (this term may mean different when we are referring to a basic Ballet move done while practising, but we don't really need it in dancing threads.)

Pointe
Meaning: Dancing on the very tips of your toes.
This can only be done with special pointe shoes which makes the classic 'ballerina standing on her toes'. Much harder and more advanced than relevé.

That's all for today! Below are pictures for Relevé(left) and Pointe (right)

GIFT GIVING!
As I promised in the main post, a gift-- a chocolate frog will be given to those who posted in this thread, they are...
@Nick Jameson
@Elowin Prankhurst
@Amelia Lerelle
and @Tina Carille

look out for future gift givings! please tell me if I missed anyone

Today, we are not focusing on terminologies~ Instead, please read this brief introduction of Cassie's performance, which indicates what variations Cassie is going to perform, as well as what audience can do to interact with her! (Add some fun to your spectator post~)

Royal Spring-- Cassie's Enchanted Ballet

Long known as the dance of royalty, ballet combines elegance and grace in motion. This spring, let yourself be enchanted by a series of exquisite performances brought to life by Cassie Jiang, a third‑year Ravenclaw, who combines Ballet with a touch of magic. Hold your breath, the curtain is about to rise...

Act 1 The Blue Bird
Taken from the beloved ballet The Sleeping Beauty, Blue Bird features a fairy dancing cheerfully like a blue bird in flight. Mimicking wings in motion, the moves are simple in form, but radiant in grace, offering you a glimpse of Ballet's beauty.
Feel free to wave your wand gently and let a soft glow unfold. A bird or butterfly might just pause and rest lightly on your shoulder.

Act 2 The White Swan
Enjoy this classic variation from Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece Swan Lake, featuring the beloved Odette. From a haze of soft bubbles, a beautiful white swan rises, gliding elegantly on the surface of the moonlit lake. Every movement flows like water, telling a sorrowful story of the swan maiden.
Raise your wand and summon snowflakes—let the snowfall grow wilder!

Act 3 The Black Swan
In contrast to Act 2, this variation brings forth Odile, featuring the mysterious Black Swan. Every step filled with passion and tragic grace, her dance is sharp yet undoubtedly beautiful.
Hold your wand, levitate the black feathers , and let them whirl into a storm.

Act 4 Cupid's Bow
This lively variation comes from the classic ballet Don Quixote, which is known as one of the fastest variation of all. With love and joy, Cupid dances with playful jumps, and sparkling energy. Every step is fast, vibrant and full of spirit.
Wave your wand and let colourful sparkles dance in the air—may Cupid bless you with love from those who hold you dear.

Act 5 Fire Flamenco
Dressed in bright red and holding a folded fan, the appearance of the main character of Don Quixote, marks the climax of Cassie's Ballet drama. In this bold Spanish dance, every gesture brings warmth to the stage.
Use your wand to accio red flags from the stage and wave it as the dancer leaps and spins, feel the energy throughout the performance.

Act 6 Sugar Crown
As the final act of the Ballet drama, the sugar plum fairy steps forth, bringing joy to the scene. Filled with sweet ease and cheerful grace, the dance brings the whole performance to a lovely end, blessing you with the happiness of spring.
As Cassie dances, sweets will be thrown to the audience, will you be fortunate enough to catch hold of any sweets?

More terms will be introduced tomorrow!