Welcome to Coach Clark's Page
High School Dance Department 
2018-2019

Biography

I was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and have dedicated my life to helping students improve their physical fitness through dance and physical education. I received my M.A. in Physical Education from Arizona State University in 2011; and my B.A. in Dance and Theater from California State University, Long Beach in 2006.

I have over 10 years of teaching experience; as well as professional industry experience choreographing concert tours for artists like Destiny's Child, Usher, and Brandy. I also have extensive experience teaching children of all ages and am regularly a guest Master Instructor and Choreographer at High Schools in the Los Angeles County and the state of Arizona.

I have been teaching dance at the high school level for over 10 years, my experience includes directing productions, choreographing dances for productions, choreography for dance team competitions, and teaching the fundamentals of Dance in a variety of styles (Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, Ballet, Contemporary, African). This year, I will be adding cultural dances into the curriculum.

 I look forward to an exciting 2018-2019 school year!


Dance Announcements

Summer is over and it's time to Dance!

Homework

Nutrition Project requirements

What do you Eat?
Due: Friday, September 14, 2018 
40 Points
Materials Needed:
Poster Board
Markers/Canyons
Pictures from magazines
Labels
Stickers
Instructions:
You will create a collage exhibiting labels and nutritional facts of foods, snacks, and meals you eat for 2 days. You can separate the foods into the following categories:
Cheat Day 
Healthy Habits
Craved Foods
Needed Nutrients (specific to your body)
Must include small captions for every picture. Ex: How often you eat the food? What are your emotions behind eating certain foods? 
At least 10 pictures on the poster board. Be creative and colorful while presenting your data. 

Concert Mandatory Rehearsals

TBD

DANCE CONCERT CRITIQUE REQUIREMENTS……...

It is your responsibility to attend at least one dance concert during the course of the semester.  You may choose whatever concert is of most interest to you. However, dancers critiqued must be high school age or older.  The critique is a tool for you to discuss general comments of the concert, whether they are positive or negative.  Use this outline to assist you in writing your critique.

 

Write your response in a paragraph form and be sure to cover the following points, using complete sentences, correct spelling, and correct grammar.  This paper must be typed, double spaced, and in 12 pt font.  Do not forget your cover page!

 

Critique papers are due no later than one week after the date of the performance. 

Late critiques will not count toward your critique requirement, but may be turned in for make-up work.  You will be expected to attend another dance concert and write a critique to fulfill the requirement.  If you are absent on the last day that the critique is due, it is YOUR responsibility to have the paper delivered.  The due date is Thursday, May 31st. I will not accept any late papers. NO EXCEPTIONS!

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!!

 

The title page must include:

Æ Your name and class period

Æ Name of concert you attended

Æ The date of submission

 

The introductory paragraph must include the following:

            Æ Name of concert

            Æ Name of the dance company performing

            Æ Location of the performance

            Æ Date you attended

 

Three body paragraphs (one paragraph for each dance you are critiquing) must include:

            Æ Title of the dance piece

Æ Name of Choreographer

Æ Brief description of the piece, such as: storyline if it had one, general mood or feeling, production effects, apparent style of dance used, quality of dancers, quality of choreography.

Æ Include your personal reactions to the performance of individual or groups of dancers, the appropriateness of music and costumes used, the general feeling you got from the dance piece.

 

Closing Paragraph:

            Æ Discuss your opinion of the concert as a whole.

            Æ Include any other remarks you would like to express. 

            Æ Create a solid conclusion to finish your paper.

 

**Each Paragraph should be AT LEAST 5-6 Sentences!

 

 


DANCE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS……...

 

Beginning Dance (Dance 1)

Students in this class will learn the fundamental techniques and vocabulary in many styles of dance. These styles include: ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, african, and hip hop. The students will also explore basic choreography concepts and performance techniques.

 

Intermediate Dance (Dance 2)

Students in this class will learn the fundamental techniques and vocabulary in many styles of dance. Intermediate dancers will have the opportunity to learn and apply beginning to intermediate level dance techniques in the following genres: jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary, ballet, and African. At this level students will receive opportunities to perform during our Fall and Spring performance Concert. 

 

Dance Team (Advance Dance)

This course will explore various styles of dance and body movement. The curriculum will include, but is not limited to the following: history of dance, dance technique, dance production, and choreography. The  students will reach these goals by learning various genres of dance including: modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and participating in various dance performances. 

Dance Content- will include attendance and a written critique of live performances, application of dance vocabulary, in-class performances, and written evaluations of dance history and culture. All students will also explore topics pertinent to dance such as body image, anatomy, and kinesiology, injury prevention, careers, and more!

Grading Policy

Full participation is required on a daily basis. 5 points per day will be given for participation and dressing out. STUDENTS DO NOT RECEIVE PARTICIPATION POINTS IF THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY DRESSED FOR CLASS! Your grade will be based on the following:

40%- Participation and Effort

25%- Skill (Movement Exams, choreography projects,etc)

15%- Concert (Attendance at rehearsals and concerts)

15%- Written (Weekly Journals, Notes and Class Work)

10%- Tests and Quizzes (several written test will be given on vocabulary, anatomy, and history)

10%- Concert Critique ( one written paper per semester is required)


Materials/Attire

    • DRESS POLICY (Updated Information)


      Students have 2 options

      Option 1: New West PE/Dance Apparel

      Students are allowed to wear ANY New West PE/Dance apparel to class This includes mesh shorts, girls pe shirt, unisex pe shirt, yoga pants, leggings, dance shirt and tank top, and capri pants. 

      Option 2: Personal Clothing

      Students are allowed to wear solid black clothing. This includes: shorts, leggings, dance pants, tights, leotards, tank tops etc...

      • HAIR: Bun or pony tail only. Short hair can be pulled back with a headband or pinned.
      • Students must change back into their New West uniform after class (Monday-Wednesday)
      • Students are allowed to wear their New West PE/dance apparel all day on thursdays and fridays. If students wear their solid black clothing they must change back into their uniform on thursdays and fridays. 
      •  Absolutely no jeans or jeggings of any kind
      •  Bring a  composition book daily for Journals/reflections, class work, tests and notes (It is extremely important to keep up with all completed class work).

  1. Attendance, promptness, and active participation on a daily basis. Each day you should work to your limits and consider every exercise a performance.
  2. No street shoes, food, gum, or drink allowed in the dance studio. 
  3. Be respectful of all instructors, dancers, and guests.
  4. All school, and class policies will be enforced.
  5. Be open to any styles of dance presented and be able to work with any student in class.
  6. Come dressed out and prepared to work every day.
  7. NEVER USE THE WORD CAN'T!
       

Wish List/Supply List

  1. ITunes Gift Card for downloading music
  2. One class set (20) of stretch bands
  3. Storage Cabinet for Dance Costumes
  4. Ballet Barres

Expectations

HAVE FUN AND TRY YOUR BEST! REMEMBER PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! 


Contact Me
 Rm. 215 

Contents

  1. 1 Biography
  2. 2 Dance Announcements
  3. 3 Homework
  4. 4 Nutrition Project requirements
  5. 5 TBD
  6. 6 DANCE CONCERT CRITIQUE REQUIREMENTS……...
  7. 7 DANCE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS……...
    1. 7.1 Beginning Dance (Dance 1)
    2. 7.2 Intermediate Dance (Dance 2)
    3. 7.3 Dance Team (Advance Dance)
  8. 8 Grading Policy
  9. 9 Materials/Attire
  10. 10 DRESS POLICY (Updated Information)
  11. 11 Attendance, promptness, and active participation on a daily basis. Each day you should work to your limits and consider every exercise a performance. No street shoes, food, gum, or drink allowed in the dance studio.  Be respectful of all instructors, dancers, and guests. All school, and class policies will be enforced. Be open to any styles of dance presented and be able to work with any student in class. Come dressed out and prepared to work every day. NEVER USE THE WORD CAN'T!        
  12. 12 Wish List/Supply List
  13. 13 Expectations