Dance Resource

In your performance, aim to demonstrate:

• adept technical execution of movements (for example, for lyrical jazz, extension and controlled carriage of the arms, legs and feet, flexibility and agility in leg and back extensions etc)
• accurate reproduction of movements and sequences
• performance of a variety of shapes (open, closed, symmetrical, asymmetrical) with clarity and definition (if appropriate to the genre)
• whole-body movement (including articulation of the torso) that is clearly controlled and co-ordinated with other body parts (if appropriate to the genre)
• correctly timed movement
• a clearly maintained focus
• a facial expression that communicates the emotive qualities and changes throughout the dance
• a sense of role within the dance
• dynamic changes within the dance that are interpreted and clearly expressed through effective use of energy qualities
• projection to and connection with the audience.

Some good sites to watch dance performances and read about dance.

Discovering Dance DVD - link to come

http://www.ziln.co.nz/channel/tempodancetv

https://www.elementsofdance.org/

https://www.worlddanceheritage.org/watching-dance/

https://theatreanddance.britishcouncil.org/

https://www.dancemagazine.com/how-online-videos-changed-dance-2518906563.html

https://danz.org.nz/about?src=nav

Glossary of Dance Terms:

• Glossary of Key Terms

air pathway: a pattern made in the air by the use of body parts (for example, arm, leg, head).

asymmetry: a shape made by a dancer or dancers that has no line of reflection

augmentation: a choreographic device where movements are made larger in space or time.

body awareness: a dance element that comprises focus on body shapes, body base, body part, locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

body base: the part of the body supporting a dancer in a balanced position (such as two feet, or one hand and one foot).

body shape: curved, straight, open, closed, symmetrical, asymmetrical.

call and response: a structural device most often associated with African dance and musical forms; one soloist or group performs, and the second soloist or group performs in response to the first.

canon: a choreographic device or structure in which movements introduced by one dancer are repeated exactly by subsequent dancers in turn.

chance: a choreographic process in which movements are chosen at random or randomly structured to create a movement sequence or a dance.

choreographic device: a specific way of manipulating movement to develop dance choreography (for example, repetition, inversion, accumulation).

choreographic process: the method (for example, teacher direction, group collaboration, collage, chance) by which choreography is developed.

choreographic structure: the way in which movement is organised and shaped to create a dance (for example, ABA , theme and variations, narrative).

contact improvisation: a genre of modern dance based on spontaneous movement and the exchange of weight between dancers.

counter balance: a balance for more than one person, where each person relies on the others to maintain their shape.

culture: understandings, patterns of behaviour, practices, values, and symbol systems that are acquired, preserved, and transmitted by a group of people and that can be embodied in art works.

elements of dance: the key components of movement (for example, space, time, energy, relationships, body awareness).

embellishment: a choreographic device where detail is added to a move, such as a hand gesture or an arm movement.

energy: a dance element that focuses on the weight, texture and flow of movement, for example, float, swing, sudden, smooth, sharp, percussive, vibratory, explosive.

floor pathway: a direction taken across the floor (zigzag, curved, straight, diagonal).

focus: where a dancer is looking; concentration on the task.

form: the choreographic structure or structures that shape a dance work; or a broad term that refers to a specific type of dance (for example, theatre dance, folk dance); or a particular practice, style, or genre of dance.

general space: space in the overall dance area that is shared by all dancers.

improvisation: spontaneous movement in response to a stimulus.

interpretation: analysis or appreciation of meaning in an art work by a viewer; or the particular meaning communicated by the performer of an existing art work.

kinaesthetic signs and symbols: movement, gestures, and body language.

leap: a jump from one foot to the other foot.

level: the height in space at which a dancer is moving (for example, high, medium, low).

locomotor movement: movement in which the body travels across space (for example, running, creeping, rolling).

movement motif: a movement or gesture that can be elaborated upon or developed in a variety of ways in the process of dance choreography.

movement phrase: a series of movements linked together to make a distinctive pattern.

movement sequence: a series of movements, longer than a phrase but shorter than a section of a dance.

narrative structure: a choreographic structure that tells a story.

non-locomotor movement: movement in which the body remains anchored to one spot by a body part (for example, bending, twisting, stretching).

pathways: patterns created in the air or on the floor by the body or body parts as a dancer moves in and through space.

personal movement vocabulary: an individual's patterns of movement, which can be identified and extended through improvisation.

personal space: the "space bubble" around the body, extending as far as the body and body parts can reach

relationships: a dance element that focuses on how the body relates to itself, to others, and to the dance environment.

repetition: a choreographic device in which movements or motifs are repeated.

retrograde: a choreographic device whereby movements or a motif are performed backwards

reversal: the performance of the movements of a motif or sequence in reverse order (but not in a backwards direction)

rondo form: a choreographic structure (ABACAD, etc.)

space: a dance element made up of level, size, range, place, focus, direction, pathway.

symmetry: a shape that has a line of reflection

tableau: a still shape created by a group

technologies: equipment used to help create, present, explain, document, view, interpret, analyse, or learn about dance works, including dance props (for example, a taiaha, scarf, chair), electronic media (for example, video, computers), and production technologies (for example, lighting, costume, sound).

unison: dancers moving at the same time doing the same thing.

Some terms taken from Marist College Dance booklet

Teaching resources from the NSW site

Dance (DOCX 76KB) - a unit of work and lesson sequence. The first unit describes, identifies and applies an understanding of dance works, elements and contextual ideas by exploring dance over time. The lesson sequence allows students to investigate the origins of modern dance.

NSW Department of Education stage 4 and 5 Dance resources can be added to and used in learning management system

NSW Department of Education knowledge and skills creative art resourceExternal link contains lesson plans and resources for the teaching of technical dance skills

Ausdance VicExternal link A range of dance education resources from Ausdance Victoria.

Sydney Dance Company teaching resources External link a comprehensive range of dance education resources from Sydney dance company.

Bangarra Dance education resources External link a variety of dance education resources designed to provide pathways exploring First Nations storytelling.

So you think you can dance youtube channel External link a youtube channel of the Top 20 best routines featured on So you think you can dance USA.

ABC DanceExternal link dance education resources from ABC education.