Soutenu is a classical ballet term meaning “sustained” and describes a ballet dancer turning in a sus-sous or fifth position en pointe and ending up with the opposite foot in front. It is commonly done in both classes and on stage during performances by both beginner and professional dancers.
A dancer will most commonly learn a soutenu in a beginner level ballet class as a way to switch sides during a single bar combination. This can later be done in center as a full turn where it is seen in many turning combinations. On stage, a soutenu can be seen in many corps de ballet section, and both male and female variations, among many other sections of a ballet.
