Demi-soloist can have one of two meanings in the ballet. The first is for a solo role normally danced by a member of the ''

corps de ballet In ballet, the ''corps de ballet'' (; French language, French for "body of the little dance") is the group of ballet dancer, dancers who are not principal dancers or Soloist (ballet), soloists. They are a permanent part of the ballet company and ...

''. Such roles are often made in pairs, that is, two corps dancers, dance together, frequently in mirror image. In most cases, it distinguishes dancers who mostly still dance with the corps de ballet, but will sometimes break away from the group to dance a more featured role. Such dances are most commonly created for a pair of ballerinas but are occasionally made for (two or more) ''

danseur A ballet dancer is a person who practices the art of classical ballet. Both females and males can practice ballet. They rely on years of extensive training and proper technique to become a part of a professional ballet company. Ballet dancers ...

s''. Even more rare are ballets with dances for one, two, or more demi-soloist couples. At a gala or other deluxe performance a company's soloists or

principal dancer A principal dancer (often shortened to principal) is a dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company. A principal may be either gender. The position is similar to that of ''Soloist (ballet), solois ...

s might dance ''demi'' roles. The second meaning of demi-soloist is that of a rank in a ballet company, the English equivalent being second soloist. Such rank is more common in European companies, but the

National Ballet of Canada The National Ballet of Canada is a Canadian ballet company that was founded in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, with Celia Franca, the first artistic director. A company of 70 dancers with its own orchestra, the National Ballet has been led since 2022 ...

has second soloists and

Houston Ballet Houston Ballet, operated by Houston Ballet Foundation, is a professional ballet company based in Houston, Texas. The company consists of 59 dancers and produces over 85 performances per year. It is the 5th largest ballet company in the United ...

has demi-soloists. The Australian Ballet follows the French naming and calls their demi-soloist equivalents coryphées.

Sources

{{Ballet Ballet occupations Ballet terminology