In this unit students explore the potential of the body as an instrument of expression and communication in conjunction with the regular and systematic development of physical dance skills. Students discover the diversity of expressive movement and purposes for dancing in dances from different times, places, cultures, traditions and/or styles. They commence the process of developing a personal movement vocabulary and also begin the practices of documenting and analysing movement. Through this work they develop understanding of how other choreographers use these practices. 

Students learn about relevant physiology and approaches to health and wellbeing, and about care and maintenance of the body. They apply this knowledge through regular and systematic dance training. Students explore the choreographic process through movement studies, cohesive dance compositions and performances. They discuss influences on other choreographers and the impact of these influences on intentions and movement vocabulary in selected n selected dance works.

AREA OF STUDY 1 - Dance Perspectives

OUTCOMES

1. Describe and document the expressive intention, body actions and technical and physical skills used in another choreographers’ dance works.

AREA OF STUDY 2 - Choreography and Performance

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to choreograph and perform a solo, duo and/or group dance work and complete structured improvisations.

AREA OF STUDY 3 - Dance technique and performance

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to safely and expressively perform a learnt solo, duo or group dance work

AREA OF STUDY 4 - Awareness and maintenance of the dancer’s body

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe key approaches to wellbeing and health practices for dancers and essential aspects of physiology, and demonstrate the safe use and maintenance of the dancer’s body

ASSESSMENT TASKS

• Written Dance Analysis

• Anatomy Test 

• Group Dance Performance

• Choreography and Performance (solo / small group)

• Examination

In this unit students extend their personal movement vocabulary and skill in using a choreographic process by exploring elements of movement (time, space and energy), the manipulation of movement through choreographic devices and the types of form used by choreographers. Students use the choreographic process to develop and link movement phrases to create a dance work. They apply their understanding of the processes used to realise a solo or group dance work – choreographing and/or learning, rehearsing, preparing for performance and performing. 

Students are introduced to a range of dance traditions, styles and works. Dance traditions, styles and works selected for study should encompass the dance output of traditional and/or contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and other Australian dance artists. Students may also study material such as dance from other cultures, music theatre, the work of tap/jazz or street performers, ballet choreographers, and/or modern dance. 

Students describe the movement vocabulary in their own and others’ dances by identifying the use of movement categories and ways the elements of movement have been manipulated through the use of choreographic devices. Students make links between the theoretical and practical aspects of dance across the areas of study through analysis and discussion of the way their own and other choreographers’ intentions are communicated, and through the ways movement has been manipulated and structured.

AREA OF STUDY 1 - Dance Perspectives

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse use of the movement categories and elements of movement in selected dance traditions, styles and/or works.

AREA OF STUDY 2 - Choreography and Performance

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to complete structured improvisations and choreograph and perform a solo, duo or group dance work.

ASSESSMENT TASKS

• Written Report

• Group Performance

• Solo Performance 

In this unit students choreograph, rehearse and perform a solo dance work that allows them to execute a diverse range of physical skills and actions drawn from all movement categories. Students continue regular and systematic dance training and learn and perform a duo or group dance work created by another choreographer. They continue to develop their ability to safely execute movement vocabulary and perform with artistry. Students analyse the realisation of their solo and the learnt duo or group dance work, focusing on the processes of choreographing or learning, rehearsing, preparing for performance and performing. This analysis connects each student’s work as a choreographer to the work of professional choreographers.

AREA OF STUDY 1 - Dance Perspectives

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse two selected dance works.

AREA OF STUDY 2 - Choreography, performance and analysis of a skills-based solo dance work

OUTCOMES

On completion of this unit the student should be able to choreograph, rehearse and perform a skills-based solo dance work and analyse the processes used to realise the solo dance work.

AREA OF STUDY 3 -- Dance technique, performance and analysis of a learnt dan

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to learn, rehearse and prepare for performance, and perform a duo or group dance work by another choreographer and analyse the processes used.

ASSESSMENT TASKS

• Group Dance Work

• Analysis Report of two Selected Solo Dance Works

• Analysis Report of the Student’s Own Solo Dance Work

In this unit students choreograph, rehearse and perform a solo dance work with a cohesive structure. When rehearsing and performing this dance work students focus on communicating the intention with accurate execution of choreographic variations of spatial organisation. They explore how they can demonstrate artistry in performance. Students document and analyse the realisation of the solo dance work across the processes of choreographing, rehearsing, preparing to perform and performing the dance work. 

Students continue to develop their understanding of the choreographic process through analysis of a group dance work by a twentieth or twenty-first century choreographer. This analysis focuses on ways in which the intention is expressed through the manipulation of spatial relationships. Students analyse the use of group structures (canon, contrast, unison, and asymmetrical and symmetrical groupings and relationships) and spatial organisation (direction, level, focus and dimension) and investigate the influences on choices made by choreographers in these works.

AREA OF STUDY 1 - Dance Perspectives

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to analyse a selected group dance work.

AREA OF STUDY 2 -Choreography, performance and dance-making analysis

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to choreograph, rehearse, perform and analyse their realisation of a solo dance work.

AREA OF STUDY 3 -- Dance technique, performance and analysis of a learnt dan

OUTCOMES

1. On completion of this unit the student should be able to learn, rehearse and prepare for performance, and perform a duo or group dance work by another choreographer and analyse the processes used.

ASSESSMENT TASKS

• Solo Dance Works

• Analysis Report of a Selected Group Dance Work

• Analysis Report of the Student’s Own Solo Dance Work

For more information about Dance, see Doris Kovacevic