Jeté, grand [grahn zhuh-TAV]
Large jeté. In this step the legs are thrown to 90 degrees with a corresponding high jump. It is done forward to attitude croisée or effacée, and to all the arabesques. It may also be done backward with the leg raised either croisé or effacé devant. Grand jeté is always preceded by a preliminary movement such as a glissade, pas couru or coupe.
Pirouette [peer-WET]
Whirl or spin. A complete turn of the body on one foot, on point or demi-pointe. Pirouettes are performed en dedans, turning inward toward the supporting leg, or en dehors, turning outward in the direction of the raised leg. Correct body placement is essential in all kinds of pirouettes. The body must be well centered over the supporting leg with the back held strongly and the hips and shoulders aligned. The force of momentum is furnished by the arms, which remain immobile during the turn. The head is the last to move as the body turns away from the spectator and the first to arrive as the body comes around to the spectator, with the eyes focused at a definite point which must be at eye level. This use of the eyes while turning is called "spotting." Pirouettes may be performed in any given position, such as sur le cou-de-pied, en attitude, en arabesque, à la seconde, etc.
I haven't been to class for a week because I took a short vacation. One of my more recent ballet classes was interesting, it was during a vacation day. I went to a morning class which I can normally never do. I went to a basic beginner class with a teacher I never took class from before.
I enjoyed the class very much, he really focused a lot on turns and jumps with other teachers shy away from sometimes. We did lot of Pirouettes and Grande Jetés (See definitions and videos above. I would like to try to fit another class with him into my schedule someday.
I also enjoyed the Nutcracker performance last Friday. I hadn't seen the Nutcracker since I was a little kid. The cast and costumes were beautiful.
Back to work and class tomorrow!
Below is a video with some beautiful dancing. Embedding is disabled so click on the link to view it.
Etoiles Dancers of Paris Opera Ballet Rehearse Swan Lake - Part 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pmFvaURRbQ
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