The curtsy (or bow) at the end of every ballet class, is called a reverence. The dancers perform this to thank the teacher (and pianist if applicable). This ritual is more than just polite; it’s rooted in the courtly origins of ballet. Ballet originated in the royal courts of Renaissance Italy and flourished under King Louis XIV in France. Court etiquette was prevalent and every gesture had meaning. The reverence honors that heritage and reminds us that ballet, at its heart, is an elegant conver