Name Your Terms

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California DanceArts teachers and students know how important it is to understand the French terms, translations and definitions of each ballet exercise.  Grasping the meaning behind each term assists the dancer in properly executing steps which ultimately will be used in the variety of movements comprising the choreography of classical technique.

 

Now Carol Richmond, a Carmel dance instructor, together with a software engineer, have developed an iPhone application for teaching more than 140 ballet terms. The application, called SayBallet, is a way "to get to the students on their own (tech-savvy) level," said Richmond, who has seen even the youngest of her students using iPhones.  Using this iPhone app will allow students to learn terms in a fun way.

 

Half of the ballet terms are accompanied by videos, activated by voice. Say "plie” and the iPhone will tell us a translation of the word as “Bend”, followed by a short video display of a girl performing the deep bend. Each term can be selected in French, the way ballet is generally taught. The app is also great for hearing the proper pronunciation of these French terms. Fun quizzes are included for students to test their knowledge which then allows them to achieve higher and higher scores.

  A worthwhile investment for under $10, this application allows young dancers to study their ballet terms during a car ride to the studio or waiting for class to begin. California DanceArts Director, Erin Holt, says “It is a great supplement to the California DanceArts curriculum where students are expected to understand ballet terminology. We hope that students use the app to increase and improve upon the skills taught in their classes and to improve their scores for upcoming ballet examinations.” California DanceArts will be holding ballet level examinations in May.

Posted via web from California DanceArts's Posterous Blog