How to Perform Fondu in Ballet

Fondu is a French word meaning "to melt." It is a fundamental dance movement in ballet. It is important to learn how to do it correctly so you don't begin developing bad habits as you further your dance studies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Fondu is a connecting movement so it can be performed from virtually any position and may start an action or link two elements together. For this we will have you start from first position, heels together, toes pointed outward. Tendu, or point, your right foot to the side.

2. Next plie on your standing foot (left foot). Your plie should be small, a demi plie, so that your heel remains on the ground and your bottom remains tucked under.

3. As you plie on your standing leg, bring your right foot into coupe. Coupe is a point at the ankle where you turn out your foot and connect the outer toes to the ankle.

4. You should now have your left leg bent and your right toes touching your ankle. This is a fondu. You "melted" into a position.

5. Next straighten your standing leg and straighten and extend your right leg to another position (front, side or back).

6. Repeat the plie on the standing leg and the coupe with the working leg to do another fondu.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember the standing leg bends.
• It is a graceful movement, so treat it as such.
• If both feet are on the floor it's a plie.