What Is Soutenu in Ballet?

Ballet

Soutenu is a step in ballet that is used frequently in both the adagio and allegro sections of a dance. The soutenu is a turn on one leg, with the other leg extended in the air, and is done with one arm held high. It can be performed by both men and women, and is an important skill for the dancer to master.

The soutenu can be done in different ways, depending on what kind of effect the dancer wants to create. In some cases it can be done slowly and gracefully, while in others it can be done quickly and with more force. The dancer must have control over their body to perform this step correctly, as it requires balance as well as strength.

The soutenu has its origins in classical ballet, and it was first seen during the mid-1800s. It was popularized by famous dancers such as Marie Taglioni and Fanny Elssler, who both used this step in their performances. Since then, it has become an integral part of ballet choreography, as well as being used by jazz and contemporary dancers.

When performing a soutenu, the dancer needs to have good technique to ensure they are able to complete the movement without injury or strain. The dancer should start from fifth position (one foot forward, one foot back) before turning on one leg while keeping the other leg extended in the air. The arms should also be kept up for balance; one arm should stay fully extended while the other hand touches lightly on top of the head or shoulder blade.

The soutenu is an important step for any ballet dancer to learn as it requires skillful execution and control over their body movements. Once mastered, this step can help create beautiful lines on stage or provide a powerful impact depending on how it is performed.

Conclusion: What Is Soutenu in Ballet? Soutenu is a common ballet step found in both adagio and allegro sections of dance that involves turning on one leg while keeping another leg extended in the air with one arm held high for balance.

It has its origins in classical ballet but has since been adopted by jazz and contemporary dancers alike due to its impressive visuals when executed correctly. With practice and good technique any dancer can master this essential skill of ballet choreography.