Intro to Hip Hop
LMS Dance Pathways Portfolio: T2
Ms. Kuzma 2023-2024
LMS Dance Pathways Portfolio: T2
Ms. Kuzma 2023-2024
Lower Middle School students have the chance to participate in two different art classes once a week for a trimester. There are seven different Pathways teachers instructing students in a variety of art forms: Music, Drama, Dance, Visual Art, and Media Art.
In Ms. Kuzma's Dance Class we explored the basic Hip Hop techniques of popping/locking, tutting, house, and breakdancing. We explored these styles of hip hop collaboratively and creatively while learning how to negotiate different qualities within the body and build long combinations of movement. We even explored DJing as an element of hip hop culture and mixed our own beats electronically which would be used to accompany our dance.
Students gained historical context within the early stages of hip hop, as well as a movement vocabulary, and understanding of different elements that make up hip hop culture.
Ms. Kuzma holds a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance and is proud to create a safe and positive environment in order to bring movement into learning. Our class structure begins with a movement warmup to build community and prepare the body and brain for learning. We then move into exploring the concept and integrating the concept within our bodies. Finally, we explore the concept by creating within it and making our own discoveries.
I believe in kinesthetic learning and the importance of having the body connect to an academic subject for a more personal and memorable encounter. I believe that everyone can dance, and strive to create an environment where every student can come to discover this within their very own body.
Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns at okuzma@alphonsusacademy.org and thank you for supporting the arts!