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What Is a Reverence in Ballet?
A reverence is the little bow or curtsy that ends ballet class. Here's what it means, why teachers love it, and how to do it without feeling awkward.
Every ballet class ends the same way, with everyone facing the teacher and doing a little bow or curtsy. That’s the reverence, and if you’re new it can feel like a mystery move nobody explained. So let’s explain it.
What a reverence actually is
Reverence is the short bow and curtsy sequence that closes a ballet class. The word is French (ballet borrows a lot of French, since the whole vocabulary was set in the French court a few hundred years ago), and it simply means respect.
That’s the whole idea. At the end of class you turn to your teacher, and often to the pianist or the person running the music, and you say thank you with your body instead of your voice. A small bow. A curtsy. Sometimes a graceful arm movement called a port de bras (that just means a set path your arms travel through). Nothing fancy, nothing you need to stress about.
Think of it like the credits at the end of a movie. The main event is over, but you don’t just hard-cut to black. You get a calm, intentional ending.
Why class ends this way (and it’s not just tradition)
Yes, reverence is old. But it sticks around because it does real jobs.
- It’s a cool-down for your brain. You just spent an hour or more concentrating hard. Reverence lets your body and your focus land gently instead of slamming shut when the music stops.
- It’s gratitude made visible. Your teacher gave you their time and attention. The accompanist played for you. Reverence is how dancers have said thanks for generations.
- It’s practice for the stage. When you perform, you bow at the end. Reverence is basically rehearsing that moment every single class, so by the time you’re onstage, presenting yourself to an audience feels natural instead of terrifying.
Real talk: that last one matters more than beginners expect. Bowing well, calmly, like you meant to be there, is a skill. You build it by doing it a hundred times in class first.
What a reverence usually looks like
It depends on your level, but the shape is pretty consistent.
In a younger or beginner class, reverence is simple. You might step to the side, bring your feet together, bend one knee behind you into a curtsy, and bring your arms through a soft position. The teacher often demonstrates it the same way each time so you can just follow along.
As you move up, reverence gets longer and more interesting. It can include balances, slow turns, and bigger arm movements, almost like a tiny dance of its own. Some teachers change it every term to keep it fresh. Some keep the exact same one for years, and dancers can do it in their sleep.
Either way, the ending is the same feeling: calm, finished, grateful.
The quiet etiquette of reverence
Here’s the deal with reverence manners, since nobody hands you a rulebook.
- Face the teacher and actually look at them. Reverence pointed at the floor or the mirror misses the point. You’re thanking a person.
- Take it seriously, lightly. You don’t have to be solemn. But don’t rush it or giggle through it either. Treat it like the small, nice moment it is.
- A thank you at the end is never wrong. Lots of studios finish with a spoken thank you to the teacher. If yours does, join in. If you’re not sure, say it anyway. Teachers notice.
- Clapping is usually fine. A quiet clap for the teacher and the accompanist is common. Watch the older dancers the first few times and match what they do, because studios differ.
When in doubt, copy the most experienced dancer in the room. They’ve got the local customs down.
If it feels awkward at first, good, that’s everyone
The first few times, reverence feels strange. You’re tired, you’re not sure where to look, and curtsying to an adult while your friends watch is a specific kind of self-conscious. Normal. Every dancer felt that.
It gets comfortable fast, usually within a few weeks. And once it clicks, a lot of dancers end up loving it. It’s the one moment in class that isn’t about getting something right. It’s just a quiet way to close the door on a good hour of work before you go back to your day.
If you’re still getting your footing with the rest of class, our beginner’s guide to positions and training walks through the basics that lead up to this moment. And if you’re curious how classes are built level by level, the class levels and grades explainer shows where reverence fits as you grow.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What does reverence mean in ballet?
Reverence is the short series of bows and curtsies that closes a ballet class. The word is French for respect, and that's exactly what it's for: thanking your teacher, the pianist or accompanist, and the room before you leave.
Why do you do a reverence at the end of ballet class?
It marks the end of class the way the warmup marks the start. It's a moment to slow down, show gratitude, and practice presenting yourself the way you would after a performance. Teachers also use it to teach stage manners early.
Do you clap during reverence?
Usually yes, a quiet clap for your teacher and the accompanist at the end is normal in a lot of studios. Watch what the older dancers do, since every studio has its own habit.
Is reverence the same as a curtsy?
A curtsy is one part of it. A full reverence can include bows, curtsies, and some simple steps like a balance or a port de bras, depending on your level and your teacher.
What do you say during reverence?
Often nothing out loud, but many studios finish with a spoken thank you to the teacher. If you're not sure, a simple thank you at the end is always right.