Dance Course Descriptions

Placement auditions determine the student's class level for technique classes. Intermediate, Intermediate Advanced, and Advanced levels are offered to provide for each student's technical needs.

General Dance

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade
Seating Priority: Non- Dance Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Daily

Description:

General Dance provides a dance overview for students from other arts areas.  Students become acquainted to basic technique in ballet, modern, and jazz.  No previous dance experience is necessary. This course may be used for Physical Education credit.

Objectives:

  • Exposure to a variety dance techniques which develop physical and artistic awareness.
  • Develop a basic understanding of dance fundamentals including terminology, placement, and strength.
  • Create bridges of understanding applicable to the student’s arts major.
  • Student Performance:
  • The basic understanding and physical execution of a variety of movement concepts including placement, coordination, and core strength.
  • The understanding of the classroom etiquette of a dance class.

Assessment:

  • A sense of ownership and understanding of the course material.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.

Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate class attire

Dance Majors

Placement auditions determine the student's class level for technique classes. Intermediate, Intermediate Advanced, and Advanced levels are offered to provide for each student's technical needs.

Dance Attire List

The following is the required
dress
for dance both in the studio and in the theater.  No clothing other than the listed attire will
be permitted in classes and rehearsals.

All dancers are expected to
be well groomed.

Clothing:

Women:

Black leotard any sleeve type

Pink tights

Pink ballet shoes with
elastics sewn.  Elastics may not be
wrapped around bottom of shoe.

Pink pointe shoes with sewn ribbons

Short black chiffon skirts
may be worn for variations

Men:

White fitted T-shirt; short-sleeved
or tank, dance belt, black full length tights, white ankle socks, white ballet
shoes with elastics sewn.  Elastics may
not be wrapped around bottom of shoe.

All - black jazz shoes, black
footless tights,

warmers, sweater/sweatshirt,
foot supplies

Colored leotards or unitards
may be worn for rehearsals or as defined by choreographer.

Hair: Hair
may not be dyed or cut drastically short without permission from the director.

Women - hair pulled up and
off face, neatly and tightly secured in a bun or French twist.  Modern or jazz dependent on instructor

Men - hair no longer than
collar length, short around the face. 
Must be clean shaven.


Course Title:  Ballet Technique

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade/dance majors
Seating Priority: Dance Majors only
Credit per semester:
Meeting Time: Daily

 

Description:

The Ballet curriculum is designed to help dancers create a strong pedagogical foundation through movement, discussion, and exploration.  Focusing on the process of creativity, discipline and self knowledge instead of choosing a performance driven approach is fostered by critical and process-oriented thinking.  Students are placed into levels based on each dancer's technical and physical needs allowing faculty to concentrate and clarify movement concepts.

Objectives:

  • The refinement of the technical concepts of ballet movement which includes proper alignment.
  • The incorporation of breath and core strength to support movement.
  • The development of classical style through the use of music and artistry.
  • The integration of somatic/anatomical information.

Student Performance:

  • Engage in daily physical practice emphasizing proper physical placement, alignment, strength, length, precision, musicality, and artistry.
  • Engage in verbal discussion, video analysis, and anatomical explorations.
  • Journal daily corrections and observations.

Assessment:

  • The integration of concepts on a daily basis leading to greater proficiency and in-depth knowledge.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.
  • A sense of ownership and understanding of their chosen art form.

Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate rehearsal attire


Course Title:  Pointe

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade/dance majors (female)
Seating Priority: Dance Majors only
Credit per semester:
Meeting Time: Multiple times per week

Description:

The Pointe curriculum is designed to help dancers create a strong pedagogical foundation through movement, discussion, and exploration.  Focusing on the process of creativity, discipline and self knowledge instead of choosing a performance driven approach is fostered by critical and process-oriented thinking.  Students are placed into levels based on each dancer's technical and physical needs allowing faculty to concentrate and clarify movement concepts.

Objectives:
  • The refinement of the technical concepts of ballet movement “sur la pointe”.
  • The incorporation of breath and core strength to support movement.
  • The development of classical style through the use of music and artistry.
  • The integration of somatic/anatomical information.
Student Performance:
  • Engage in physical practice emphasizing integration of ballet technique with additional focus on ankle flexibility, metatarsal strength, and core connectivity.
  • Engage in verbal discussion, video analysis, and anatomical explorations.
  • Journal corrections and observations.
Assessment:
  • The integration of concepts leading to greater proficiency and in-depth knowledge.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.
  • A sense of ownership and understanding of their chosen art form.

Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate rehearsal attire

 

Course Title:  Men’s Class

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade/dance majors
Seating Priority: Dance Majors only (Male)
Credit per semester:
Meeting Time: Weekly

Description:

The curriculum for Men’s Class is designed to help dancers create a strong pedagogical foundation through movement, discussion, and exploration.  Focusing on the process of creativity, discipline and self knowledge instead of choosing a performance driven approach is fostered by critical and process-oriented thinking.  This course as a supplement to ballet technique focuses on specific information for the male dancer

Objectives:
  • The refinement of the technical concepts of ballet movement for the male dancer such as pirouettes, batteries, tours, and grand allegro.
  • The incorporation of core strength to support movement and stamina.
  • The development of classical style through the use of music and artistry.
Student Performance:
  • Engage in physical practice emphasizing proper physical placement, alignment, strength, length, precision, musicality, and artistry.
  • Engage in verbal discussion, video analysis, and anatomical explorations.
  • Journal daily corrections and observations.
Assessment:
  • The integration of concepts leading to greater proficiency and in-depth knowledge.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.
  • A sense of ownership and understanding of their chosen art form.

Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate rehearsal attire


Course Title:  Pas de Deux

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade/dance majors
Seating Priority: Dance Majors only
Credit per semester:
Meeting Time: Multiple times per week

Description:

The Pas de Deux curriculum is designed to help dancers create a strong pedagogical foundation through movement, discussion, and exploration.  Focusing on the process of creativity, discipline and self knowledge instead of choosing a performance driven approach is fostered by critical and process-oriented thinking.  Students are placed into levels based on each dancer's technical and physical needs allowing faculty to concentrate and clarify movement concepts.

Objectives:
  • The introduction and refinement of the technical concepts of partnering.
  • The integration of ballet and contemporary techniques.
Student Performance:
  • Engage in physical practice emphasizing integration of ballet and contemporary techniques in partnering.
  • Explore concepts of shared weight, promenades, supported pirouettes, and lifts.
  • Engage in observation and verbal discussion.  
  • Journal corrections and observations.
Assessment:
  • The integration of concepts leading to greater proficiency and in-depth knowledge.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.
  • A sense of ownership and understanding of their chosen art form.

Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate rehearsal attire

 


Course Title:  Contemporary Dance

Target Students: 9 – 12th grade/dance majors
Seating Priority: Dance Majors only
Credit per semester: .50
Meeting Time: Multiple times per week

Description:

The Contemporary curriculum is designed to help dancers create a strong pedagogical foundation through movement, discussion, and exploration in a variety of contemporary idioms.  Focusing on the process of creativity, discipline and self knowledge instead of choosing a performance driven approach is fostered by critical and process-oriented thinking.  

Objectives:
  • The refinement of the technical concepts of contemporary techniques.
  • The versatility to incorporate a variety of idioms including Modern, Jazz, and Improvisation/Composition.
  • An exposure to a wide-range of guest artists who provide future networking opportunities.
  • Student Performance:
  • Engage in physical practice emphasizing proper physical placement, alignment, strength, length, precision, musicality, and artistry for contemporary styles.
  • Engage in verbal discussion, video analysis, and anatomical explorations.
  • Journal daily corrections and observations.
  • Assessment:
  • The integration of concepts leading to greater proficiency, versatility, and in-depth knowledge of contemporary dance forms.
  • The ability to be clear about aesthetic, technical and artistic choices.
  • A sense of ownership and understanding of their chosen art form.
  • Text/Materials Needed:  Appropriate rehearsal attire

 

Ensemble

The Dance Ensemble is the performing company of the division.
Dancers develop a professional approach to rehearsals and performance. 
Whether working in the corps de ballet or as a soloist, they are
exposed to a variety of styles, choreographers, and repertoire.

Repertoire has included works by George Balanchine, David Parsons,
Adam Hougland among other classical and contemporary choreographers.

 

SEMINAR SERIES
Seminars may include:
Anatomy
Core Strength, Gyrotonics, Pilates
Injury Care and Prevention
Eating Disorders and Nutrition

ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Senior Recital. 
These student choreographed concerts, supervised by guest and resident faculty, provide dancers with the opportunity to develop their choreographic skills and gain experience in other areas of dance production.