Ballet Term
Devant
Devant is a classic ballet term that is used to define steps or movements that are in the from of the body.
Devant means “in front,” and it is used to describe steps or positions where the working leg or arm is in front of the body. When a teacher adds devant to a step, they are telling you the movement happens to the front. For example, a battement tendu devant is a tendu stretched to the front, and a leg held devant is a leg lifted or placed in front of the dancer. It pairs with derrière, which means “behind,” so together they tell you whether a movement goes to the front or the back.