DANCE PROGRAM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Ballet I – provides the student with a thorough understanding of ballet movement vocabulary and terminology through the use of barre, center, and traveling combinations as well as a focus on the history, traditions, and aesthetics of ballet.
Ballet II – expands on technique, knowledge, terminology, and ballet movement vocabulary with an emphasis on intermediate to advanced technique, choreography, performance quality and historical context.
Pointe – continues to build on ballet technique by incorporating pointe work. Emphasis will be on developing proper pointe technique, learning movement vocabulary specific to pointe work, and incorporation of short pointe variations from historical ballets.
Jazz I – provides the student with an overview of jazz dance as an art form, focusing on the use of force, an awareness of line, and an exploration of rhythm, syncopation, and accent to create the dynamic range of movements use in jazz dance.
Jazz II – expands on jazz I technique introducing aerodynamic jumps and turns, and more complex choreography, with an emphasis on more advance rhythmic structures, increased motor coordination, and intermediate to advanced levels of choreography.
Tap I - explores the rhythmic structures, styles, technique, and historical context of tap dance while highlighting irregular and syncopated rhythms, the development of motor coordination, and the use of creative expression.
Tap II – expands on technique, focusing on irregular/syncopated rhythms, more complex movement vocabulary and intermediate to advance choreography.
Modern/Composition – 1st semester introduces the fundamentals of modern dance, focusing on basic anatomy, planes of movement, directions in space, and the use of gravity. 2nd semester focuses on the basic design elements of composition, exploring the elements of time, space, and energy through classroom studies, and gradually evolving into larger pieces of choreography.
Dance Collective – focuses on developing repertory choreographed by students, faculty, and guest artists, exposure to varied dance genres, and expanded cultural awareness, to increase versatility and prepare students for success in college/university dance departments as well as the professional arena.
Note: Students may audition to enter a level II courses. They must demonstrate the ability to perform technical skill sets introduced in the level I courses as well as readiness to attempt advance skills without risk of injury.
Ballet II – expands on technique, knowledge, terminology, and ballet movement vocabulary with an emphasis on intermediate to advanced technique, choreography, performance quality and historical context.
Pointe – continues to build on ballet technique by incorporating pointe work. Emphasis will be on developing proper pointe technique, learning movement vocabulary specific to pointe work, and incorporation of short pointe variations from historical ballets.
Jazz I – provides the student with an overview of jazz dance as an art form, focusing on the use of force, an awareness of line, and an exploration of rhythm, syncopation, and accent to create the dynamic range of movements use in jazz dance.
Jazz II – expands on jazz I technique introducing aerodynamic jumps and turns, and more complex choreography, with an emphasis on more advance rhythmic structures, increased motor coordination, and intermediate to advanced levels of choreography.
Tap I - explores the rhythmic structures, styles, technique, and historical context of tap dance while highlighting irregular and syncopated rhythms, the development of motor coordination, and the use of creative expression.
Tap II – expands on technique, focusing on irregular/syncopated rhythms, more complex movement vocabulary and intermediate to advance choreography.
Modern/Composition – 1st semester introduces the fundamentals of modern dance, focusing on basic anatomy, planes of movement, directions in space, and the use of gravity. 2nd semester focuses on the basic design elements of composition, exploring the elements of time, space, and energy through classroom studies, and gradually evolving into larger pieces of choreography.
Dance Collective – focuses on developing repertory choreographed by students, faculty, and guest artists, exposure to varied dance genres, and expanded cultural awareness, to increase versatility and prepare students for success in college/university dance departments as well as the professional arena.
Note: Students may audition to enter a level II courses. They must demonstrate the ability to perform technical skill sets introduced in the level I courses as well as readiness to attempt advance skills without risk of injury.
Assignments
Students are required to fulfill a number of written and performance projects.
Choreography
In class, students will create choreographed works to audition for each of the three concerts that occur throughout the year.
Critique of Professional Performance
Students are required to view a professional dance performance and reflect by writing a document detailing their experience.
Performing on Stage
We have three concerts that serve as culminating experiences for each course. Students perform works choreographed by faculty, students, and professional artists.
Choreography
In class, students will create choreographed works to audition for each of the three concerts that occur throughout the year.
Critique of Professional Performance
Students are required to view a professional dance performance and reflect by writing a document detailing their experience.
Performing on Stage
We have three concerts that serve as culminating experiences for each course. Students perform works choreographed by faculty, students, and professional artists.
