Courses

Students explore basic technique, improvisation, and composition as it relates to Ballet and Modern Dance. A study of the contributions of early Ballet and Modern dance pioneers, the global nature of dance, and the relationship between dance and healthful living is included. 

Students explore basic technique, improvisation, and composition as it relates to Jazz Dance. A study of the contributions of early Jazz dance pioneers, the global nature of dance, and the relationship between dance and healthful living is included.

This hybrid jazz class teaches a non-traditional style of jazz to a generation that is experiencing its evolution. Students will study this new style of jazz by learning technique, performing and choreographing short contemporary pieces, and studying its dominance in the present day dance world. Knowledge of safe practices in dance and respect for other styles of jazz that have contributed to this style will also be part of this course.

In this course, students will study the elements of dance composition. They will use the language of dance to express and communicate through solo and small group compositions. They will gain the “tools” they need to become effective communicators through dance, by understanding and applying cross-curricular connections between music, visual arts, and related media. Working independently and collaboratively, they will develop their creativity and originality of expression through learning previously choreographed works by famous choreographers, as well as peer works, and through their own improvisations. Students will learn the role of concepts such as dimension, path, planes, shape, negative space, tension, relaxation, and more, and where and how the use of these techniques and/or concepts can be used to tell their dance story.

These courses are designed to extend and develop technical and stylistic skills; emphasis will be to expand the dance vocabulary of movement, and to extend rhythmic and technical precision.

In this course, students develop various techniques including stage presence, ensemble work and an understanding of the relationship between dancer and choreographer. Opportunities are given for performance in director selected dance styles such as Modern Dance, Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, and student choreography. These students are the highest level dancers and are expected to develop skills in collaboration, leadership, and service to others through their dance opportunities in order to model 21st Century Learning Goals at the highest artistic level.