Ballet Terms
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Who Invented Ballet? The Real Origin Story, From Italian Courts to the Sun King (and Why the Steps Are in French)
Who invented ballet? It began in Italian Renaissance courts, grew up in France under Louis XIV, and that’s why ballet steps still have French names.
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What Is a Pas de Deux? The 5 Parts of Ballet’s Big Duet (and When to Clap)
What is a pas de deux? The five parts of ballet’s big duet (entrée, adagio, two variations, coda), famous examples, and exactly when to clap at the ballet.
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How Do Ballet Dancers Spin Without Getting Dizzy? Spotting, Explained (and What Their Brains Do)
How do ballerinas spin without getting dizzy? The spotting trick, the inner-ear science, and a 2013 study that found dancers’ brains adapt to turning.
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Ballet Company Ranks, Explained: Corps de Ballet, Soloist, Principal, and What “Prima Ballerina” Really Means
What do corps de ballet, soloist, and principal mean? A guide to ballet company ranks in the US, London, and Paris, and the truth about “prima ballerina.”