Welcome to Dance!
Martin Luther King Jr. MS/Willard Middle School
Dance Department
Welcome to Dance!
Martin Luther King Jr. MS/Willard Middle School
Dance Department
Meet the Teacher!
Mr. Acero has been dancing and teaching professionally for almost 20 years. He has formally trained in many genres of dance with some of his specialties including Hip-Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Acro, Afro-Jazz, African, and more. He has performed and trained at schools such as Alvin Ailey School of Dance, Queens College and has graduated with his BA in Dance Education from Grand Canyon University in 2015. Miguel has also attained his Master’s in Business Administration with emphasis in Marketing and his Master’s in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University.
Mr. Acero’s credits include performing with Ethington Dance Ensemble, Elevate Dance Company, ADD Agency, No Limitz Dance Crew as well as several other dance companies across Arizona and New York. He was a featured dancer in ADD Agency’s music video for “Emma Stone” in 2012. He has won several awards, including Best Hip-Hop Choreography and Most Creative Cheer Dance for AZ All-Stars Fyrestorm Cheer. Mr. Acero has opened 4 new dance programs at the charter school level, most notably as the Director of Art and Dance at Clemente Charter School, where he served the community for 3 years. Mr. Acero has also taught at the collegiate level with credits include South Mountain Community College and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. He has also worked with dozens of studios in the general New York and Los Angeles areas where he hosted master classes and developed award-winning competition dances.
Mr. Acero has a strong passion for preparing dancers to become professional performers/choreographers/educators and have students engage in learning real-world perspectives using the art as a platform to bring awareness. Using pedagogical, kinesthetic, anatomical and technical dance instruction, Mr. Acero builds his lessons with more than just dance by exposing students to the world of music and theater, along with integrating core content subjects such as math, science, history and ELA. This ensures that students can make connections to content and close gaps to expand knowledge and achieve higher academic success. His classroom ensures that students will learn dance in a fun, safe and enriching environment. He looks forward to sharing his talents, experiences and passion for the art with the future artists of tomorrow!
Dance Course Description
7th/8th Grade Beginner Dance
Welcome to the 7th and 8th Grade Beginner Dance class! This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of dance styles and techniques while fostering an appreciation for the art of dance and its rich history. Students will have the opportunity to explore the contributions of dance pioneers and the role of technology in dance.
Course Objectives:
- Dance Styles and Techniques: Students will learn fundamental dance movements and techniques across various styles, including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary.
- Dance Pioneers: Exploration of influential figures in dance history and their impact on the art form.
- Technology in Dance: Understanding the integration of technology in choreography and performance.
- Technique and Movement: Strengthening dance technique, movement skills, and choreography.
- Dance History and Cultural Genres: Gaining knowledge of dance history and various cultural dance forms.
- Social Interaction and Teamwork: Developing social skills, memory, and performance quality through collaborative activities.
- Academic Integration: Enhancing academic skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking through integrated dance studies.
- Physical Awareness: Promoting an awareness and reverence for the physical body and its athletic and expressive capabilities.
Course Content:
- Movement Fundamentals: Concentration on the elements of body, action, space, time, energy, and relationship in dance.
- Dance Elements: Study of dance elements, choreography, performance, and Eurhythmics.
- Project-Based Learning: Engaging in projects that tie dance to academic subjects, encouraging a deeper understanding and application of both.
- Student-Led Instruction: Opportunities for students to lead instruction, fostering leadership and teamwork skills.
- California State Standards for Dance/P.E.: Adherence to state standards, ensuring a comprehensive and structured dance education.
Expected Outcomes:
- Improved dance technique and movement skills.
- Enhanced knowledge of dance history and cultural genres.
- Strengthened academic skills through integrated studies.
- Developed social and teamwork skills.
- Increased awareness of the physical body's capabilities.
Join us in this dynamic and enriching dance class, where you will not only learn to dance but also build valuable skills that extend beyond the dance floor!