JEWELS

'Jewels' is a three act ballet piece that was created for the New York City Ballet by co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine. The opening day was on Thursday, April 13, 1967, at the New York State Theatre. The ballet 'Jewels' was the first known abstract ballet piece that anyone had ever seen with the three movements of Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds. The first dance number is the 'Emeralds', where the dancers are wearing all green. There is three male dancer partnered up with one female dancer each; the choreography seems very elegant and well practiced. The next number is where the dancers are all rubies and are wearing all red. The music for this number was more upbeat, and the dancers seemed more energetic. The last number was the diamonds where all the dancers wore white costumes. The music slowed down again as well, however the ending was upbeat again and really was a crowd pleaser. 

7 Movements of Dance:

Plier- Means "to bend". 

Plié -Means "bend", from the verb plier, to bend. A smooth and continuous bending of the knees. A bending of the knees outward by a ballet dancer with the back held straight.

Demi-plié- the dancer bends the knees until just below the hips while maintaining turn-out at the joints, allowing the thighs and knees to be directly above the line of the toes without releasing the heels from the floor. The intention here is keep the heels on the ground as long as possible. In either instance, the motion is fluid and does not stop in downward bend. As soon as the bottom of the bend is reached the bend is reversed and the straightening of the legs is begun, equally as smoothly.

Grand plié-A full plié, or bending of the knees. The back should be straight and aligned with the heels, and the legs are turned out with knees over the feet. As a movement, it should be fluid. It may also be in preparation for another movement such as a leap. Often done in first, second, third, fourth, or fifth position. 

étendre- to stretch

Tendu- (Literally "stretched") Gradually extending the working leg to the front, side or back, until only the toes touch the floor, or further until toes are elevated. 

Degagé- To disengage. In between a tendu and a grande battement, the foot brushes against the floor and raises to about 45 degrees. It is usually a sharp and fast movement. It is done to prepare for jumps such as grand jete, assemble, and brise, in which the foot must brush against the floor. 

Relever/ Releve- 

Rising onto the balls or toes of one or both feet by pivoting feet downward at the ankles, or supporting the body with feet in the resulting demi pointe (raised heels) or en pointe (on the tips of the toes) orientations. 

Glisser- To slip, slide or glide. 

Literally, a glide. This is a traveling step starting in fifth position with demi-plié: the front foot moves out to a point, both legs briefly straighten as weight is shifted onto the pointed foot, and the other foot moves in to meet the first. A glissade can be en avant, en arrière, dessous, and dessus; start in fifth position plie, push off back foot moving the front foot forward and bringing the back foot that you pushed off on in the front landing in fifth position.

Sauter/Saute-  Literally "jump". As adjectives, sauté (masc.) or sautée (fem.) 

Elancer-  

“Elancer,” to dart, means to travel quickly through the air. 

Tourner- “Tourner,” to turn, is performed in a fixed position, across the floor or in the air. It is essential for the advanced "pirouette" moves involving full turns on the toe or ball of one foot, which requires proper weight transfer and good balance.

Devant- (Literally "front") Facing or moving to the front,

À la seconde

- A movement with feet to the side or in second position, as in pirouette à la seconde, in which the dancer turns with the working leg à la hauteur (elevated) in second position.

Derrière- At or to the back side. For example, a battement tendu derrière is a battement tendu taken to the rear. Point/face behind you.