What does the ballet term en haut mean?

What does the ballet term en haut mean?

• A. Below
• B. Above
• C. Melted
• D. Closed

Answer: (B)

En haut shows you the raised, high line of the body. In ballet terms, it means the arms (and often the overall line) are held overhead or above the head. The phrase literally translates to “in the high” or “up.” So when you’re told to go en haut, you lift the arms into a rounded, open position with the shoulders settled, the ribcage lifted, and a long line from fingertips to the crown of the head. This is the opposite of en bas, where the arms are held low around the hips. Melted or closed aren’t relevant meanings here, since en haut specifically signals a high, overhead position.

En haut shows you the raised, high line of the body. In ballet terms, it means the arms (and often the overall line) are held overhead or above the head. The phrase literally translates to “in the high” or “up.” So when you’re told to go en haut, you lift the arms into a rounded, open position with the shoulders settled, the ribcage lifted, and a long line from fingertips to the crown of the head. This is the opposite of en bas, where the arms are held low around the hips. Melted or closed aren’t relevant meanings here, since en haut specifically signals a high, overhead position.