MCS Dance

Class Offerings

Intro to Dance

This beginner course is an introduction to the fundamentals of Ballet, Jazz, and Modern dance with an emphasis on technique. Ballet elements include beginning Ballet movements, positions, vocabulary and Barre work. Both Modern and Jazz elements include dance vocabulary and dance history. Students also learn about the basic elements of dance and how each are used to create movement and choreography. In class, students will be expected to participate in warm-ups, across the floor progressions, choreography and review. This course requires participation in 2 after school/virtual mandatory concert performances. Dance classes require the student to be dressed appropriately for dance and participation is essential to the fulfillment and completion of this course. Specific dress code required. No previous experience or audition required.

Dance 1

This intermediate dance course is the continuation of introduction to dance and builds upon the foundation of technique and principles of dance in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz along with a focus on strength and conditioning. In this course we will discuss history and concert works with a more critical point of view. The study of choreography is introduced and developed as well as a study of continuing education in dance. Independent reading and choreography projects are required. This course requires participation in 3 after school/virtual mandatory Winter and Spring concert performances. Dance classes require the student to be dressed appropriately for dance and participation is essential to the fulfillment and completion of this course. Dress code required. Audition required for all new incoming students who are not current Dance 1 students.

Dance 2

Students in Dance 2 must meet the expectations of an advanced leveled dancer. These dancers typically have studio training experience outside of the school classroom. Elements of dance will include an emphasis on Ballet, Modern, and Jazz technique that expands the dancer beyond beginner and intermediate levels of proficiency. This class includes choreography projects and an increased level of understanding of the syllabus and technique. We will study history and other styles of dance with an ability to observe, analyze, evaluate, and interpret. The study of choreography is continued and developed along with the discovery of different careers within the dance community. Independent reading and choreography projects are required. This course requires participation in 3 after school/virtual mandatory concert performances. Dance classes require the student to be dressed appropriately for dance and participation is essential to the fulfillment and completion of this course. Dress code required. Audition required for all new incoming students who are not current Dance 2 students.

Performance Ensemble

In this course students will focus on the performance aspect of dance. The main focus will be on full concert length dances, quickly picking up choreography, hair, stage make-up, costuming, resumes, and headshots in preparation for professional work as a dancer. This ensemble will represent our school and dance department around campus and out in the community. This course requires participation in performances both during and after school including the Florida Dance Performance Assessments in Tampa, FL in late January 2021. A mandatory dance uniform and performance costume will need to be purchased. Audition required.

Performing Arts Conservatory

As a conservatory student, you will take enrichment classes in back to back enrichment time slots. This allows us, as the conservatory, to create a specific schedule allowing you to take classes in all three performance areas rather than two. Students within the conservatory will take classes in music, dance, and theatre history, study theatre production and scene study, attend sight singing classes, be enrolled in either advanced or general dance/choral classes depending on ability level, experience a musical theatre dance course, and have opportunities for private study within your performance focus.

In addition, you will have several performance and competitive opportunities. Each semester, students will be selected to perform a piece from their repertoire for their peers in a private concert style event. Students will participate in District Music Performance Assessments, All State Music sight reading, vocal quality, and music knowledge assessments, district and state level thespian competitions, and dance showcases. Students will have the options to join both the International Junior Thespian Society and the National Dance Society for Dance Arts. Advanced Dance Conservatory students may also be asked to particiapte in the Florida Dance Performance Assessments and community performances with the Dance Performance Ensemble.

Through all these learning and performance experiences, our goal is to build our students into prepared and well-rounded performers.

CLass Resources

I have spent many hours researching and preparing for the school year Human Kinetics provides some of the best dance textbooks and digital resources on today's market. In all Dance classes we will be utilizing Discovering Dance by Gayle Kassing. The Beginning Dance Series by Gayle Kassing, James Robey, and Miriam Giguere (Ballet, Jazz, and Modern) as a digital resource in Intro to Dance and Dance 1. Dance 2 and Dance Culture will use The History of Dance by Gayle Kassing. Writing Writing The Dance by Richard Kent and Josie Bray will be utilized for all dance classes to help student improve their writing skills while also reflecting on in class activities and performances.

If you would like to purchase your student their own physical textbook or a pdf of the book check out humankinetics.com for more information or click the textbooks below to be taken to the website to purchase.