Dance

Dance provides the opportunity for students in Grades 9-12 to develop aesthetic sensitivity and experience intellectual, physical, emotional and social growth through movement. Students observe, respond, create, and perform using the body as an instrument to communicate feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Through exploring dance concepts, students demonstrate critical thinking skills and core values as well as develop personal integrity. Dance education fosters positive student interaction and an appreciation for diverse points of view, while establishing strong human bonds which transcend racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic barriers. The sequentially developed program presents a broad cultural and historical perspective, providing unique opportunities for cross-curricular connections.

Dance Disciplines

Technique – Classical ballet, modern, jazz

History/Terminology – History, cultural connections, vocabulary/terminology

Composition/Choreography – Creative movement, improvisation, revision, exploration, risk-taking, experimentation, reflection, critiques, research, artistic intent, choreographic forms,

Production/Performance – Lighting design, music editing, areas of the stage, costumes, stage make-up, projection, performance qualities, audience etiquette, kinesthetic/spatial awareness, ensemble/solo, technical skills, leadership qualities, accountability, recall, apply correction, portfolio development

Concepts – Barre procedures, across the floor, floorwork, vertical alignment, turn-out, spotting, head/tail connection, fall and recovery, contract and release, use of breath, dynamics/energies, isolations, opposition, syncopation, flexibility/strength, warm-up/cool down

Dance Grading Standards

• Performance Skills & Practices: Demonstrate professional standards of performance etiquette and practices to meet course expectations. (Perform)
• Technical Development: Utilize movement vocabulary and terminology of various styles and genres to create original work. (Create)
• Reflection: Critically examine and reflect how content and context guide personal effort and aesthetic development in choreography and performance. (Respond).
• Composition & Choreography: Communicate artistic intent by combining the elements of dance, aesthetic principles, and choreographic forms. (Create)
• Aesthetic Judgment: Analyze and critique choreography for structure, meaning, and artistic intent using specific dance terminology. (Respond)
• Production & Collaboration: Synthesize production elements necessary to fulfill technical details and artistic intent during the rehearsal process and performance. (Perform)

Courses

All course descriptions can be found in the High School Course Catalog

• Dance 1, Dance 2, Dance 3, Dance 4/GT
• Dance Company
• Junior Dance Company