Dance AS
AS Level AQA 7236
AS Level AQA 7236
AS Dance is being offered as an extension study and will run alongside the full A Level course. It is ideal for those students with a passion for Dance or Performing Arts who enjoy and benefit from the challenge of a creative, practically based course.
You develop your technical skills through more intensive training in a range of styles, with a focus on Contemporary and Jazz dance. You will have regular opportunities to learn from professional artists, not only through the set works but also through workshops and theatre visits. You will explore and extend your understanding of the craft of choreography with the opportunity to showcase your work.
As a natural progression from GCSE, AS Dance has a strong theory element and you will develop your skills in analysis, evaluation and extended writing. You will also learn about the history of Dance through studying the work of a range of professional dance practitioners, gaining a greater understanding of how dance today has been influenced by innovators of the past. The compulsory area of study looks at the progression of Rambert Dance Company from 1966 -2002 and how key practitioners such as Christopher Bruce, Richard Alston & Robert North influenced key developments. The second area of study looks at the evolution of American Jazz from 1940 - 1975, with specific focus on Gene Kelly, Bob Fosse & Jerome Robbins.
AS Level Dance is an excellent base for a university degree in Dance or Creative Arts and can lead to a career path in performance, teaching, Arts Management and Arts Journalism.
It is preferred that you have studied Dance at GCSE level but is not a requirement and students with a background in Dance are welcome to apply. You should have attained GCSE English level 6 or above and should take at least one technique based dance class per week outside of school.
Practical dance classes (technique and choreography) leading to a practical exam and end of year showcase; theatre visits; workshops with visiting dance artists; performance opportunities.
AS Dance will run alongside the full A Level.
You will need dance kit to wear in lessons
Component 1: Performance and Choreography (50%)
Component 2: Critical Engagement (50%)
4 taught hours per week in addition to private study time