What is epaulement and how is it used in Cecchetti?

• A. Shoulder Placement And Slight Turning Of The Torso To Shape Line And Expressivity
• B. Arm Alignment And Core Pivot
• C. Foot Placement
• D. Knee Alignment

Answer: (A)

Epaulement is about where the shoulders are placed and how the upper torso turns in relation to the hips. In Cecchetti, you deliberately rotate the upper body a little to one side while keeping the hips directed with the movement, so the line from shoulder through the neck to the head reads clean and elegant. This subtle turning shapes the line and adds expressivity, helping the movement convey mood and musical phrasing. It also opens the chest and makes the neck visible, enhancing the silhouette from the audience’s view. It’s not about foot placement, knee alignment, or arm position—those are separate aspects of technique—the essence of epaulement is shoulder placement plus a controlled upper-torso rotation to define line and expression.