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Dance is an elective program serving Zeeland East & West High Schools.
Dance is an elective program serving Zeeland East & West High Schools.
Course enrollment is open to ALL students who attend ZPS high schools.
Zeeland offers six levels of dance class including
Dance I, Dance II, Dance III, Dance III R/A, Dance IV, and Dance Ensemble.
NEW STUDENTS
Dancers with formal dance training/experience, but who are new to the high school program, must complete an application by March 17 detailing their experience and submit prescreen videos.
All new dancers, without previous dance training/experience, are appropriately placed in Dance I and should not submit an application or videos.
ZPS Middle school dancers who have completed two full years of middle school dance, are placed in Dance II, with Mrs. Landes’ approval. Mrs. Clyde will consult with Mrs. Landes for 8th to 9th grade class placements, but any middle school dance student who is interested in placement above Dance I, MUST submit an application and prescreen videos.
After staff review applications and prescreens, we will reach out with a placement or invitation for live auditions.
RETURNING STUDENTS
Students currently enrolled in the Zeeland Dance Program will audition during class in May. All students seeking to audition must complete the application form by March 17.
CALENDARS
All dance classes require some rehearsal outside of scheduled class time. Calendars, for planning purposes, are provided here.
Winter Rehearsal Schedule Spring Rehearsal Schedule
Dance Ensemble Calendar Dance IV Calendar
For Additional Audition Information: Dance Program Audition & Placement Information
For Additional Enrollment Information: Performing Arts Courses for Freshmen
Who should audition?
People who are new to Zeeland Dance and seek placement higher than Dance I
People who want to be considered for Dance IV or Ensemble
People who want to skip levels (i.e. go from Dance I to Dance III)
People who want to experience a professional style dance audition because of future goals
People with dance experience and new to ZPS who seek appropriate HS dance placement
Current Ensemble members who must meet a minimum score to keep membership
Who should NOT audition?
People who are in Dance I and want to move to Dance II, People who are in Dance II who want to move to Dance III, People who are In Dance III and Want to Move to III R/A (these moves are automatic)
People with NO formal dance experience/training (Please sign up for Dance I.)
People who do not intend to accept placement in ANY dance level they are assigned based on their audition performance/score
People new to the ZPS district who seek placement in Dance I or II (Please contact director Mrs. Nancy Clyde at nclyde@zps.org.)
WE WELCOME ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE SCHOOL OF CHOICE OR NEW TO THE ZPS DISTRICT IN DANCE! Students must be enrolled at ZPS to audition and accept placement in an audition based course. Late enrollment for experienced dancers into any class is based on availability. If you are new to ZPS or just new to Zeeland Dance and you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Lamer at slamer@zps.org.
How to fit DANCE class into your high school schedule?
There are many ways to make room in your high school schedule to prioritize a 4-year commitment to the art form. Our 4-year dancers leave with special recognition, achievement into one of our top levels (Dance IIIR, IV or Ensemble) by their senior year, recognition our the spring concert program and a 4-year award certificate and pin to wear at graduation. It is entirely possible to fit dance in your schedule all four years and to enjoy other elective choices. Talk with Mrs. Clyde and your school counselor if you have concerns. Visit Zeeland the High Schools Curriculum Guide found on our Counseling webpage to review requirements and exceptions/modifications.
Performing Arts Courses for Freshmen provides an overview of courses offered and how to place into advanced courses.
Schedule Strategies to Maximize Your Elective Choices:
Take a required HS credit in the 8th grade in order to create room in your 9th grade schedule for elective choices. High School PE/Health is a good choice to free up one semester for additional electives.
The High School PE/Health option can be taken the summer before or after 9th grade as well.
Consider using a personal curriculum to modify your schedule. One such area that can be modified is the language requirement. You can graduate with just one year of a language, if you have an extra VPAA or Careerline Tech Center credit. Just be aware of what your desired college language requirement is for admission. Some colleges do require 2 years of a language. If you are not going to take 4 years of a language class, you may want to wait until junior or senior year for this requirement when your schedule has much more flexibility than freshman or sophomore year.
You can remove the one semester of PE credit (other than health/PE) by taking extra credits in a core discipline. Many students already plan on that extra social studies or science credit and do not realize that it can replace the PE one semester requirement. It is not necessary or required to take the one semester PE elective your freshman year. You can wait until junior and senior year when you have more choice in your schedule.
You can take courses online for HS credit via Michigan Virtual. This can be done over the summer or even as an additional course during the year. These classes are at the students' expense so they are not an option for everyone. Online classes also require commitment and self discipline to complete. They are not "easy" but this can be a great way to create room in your schedule.
Keep in mind: You only get to be in high school once. This opportunity to study dance or any other performing art form for free as part of your school curriculum is a great opportunity. Arts classes create a wonderful balance within an academic schedule.
You are invited to view the Zeeland High Schools Curriculum Guide found on our Counseling webpage. Do your research. Seek help when you need it!
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