Dance

List of 13 items.

• DANCE I (GRADES 7-12)

  This dance class is offered to all students who are either new to dance or who have had a gap in their dance training. Students actively engage in learning beginning ballet technique the first semester and beginning modern-based contemporary technique the second semester. The focus is on proper body placement, alignment, and developing proprioception and kinesthetic awareness. In addition to physical performance assessments, students work on improvisation, complete two group choreography assignments (one for ballet and one for contemporary), and learn some ballet and modern dance history. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. (Grades 7-12; one semester)

• APPRENTICES (GRADES 7-12)

  This class is for students with some previous dance training. Students learn intermediate-beginning ballet technique, and, if ready, begin pointe work during the second semester. The emphasis of the class is to continue to learn and refine the student’s comprehension and application of ballet vocabulary and movement. Students focus on the study of body placement, correct alignment, developing musicality, and proper transfer of weight. Students begin to take responsibility for memorizing combinations quickly. The ballet history included in this course covers the 17th-18th centuries. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisite: Dance I and/or department approval)

• CORYPHÉE (GRADES 7-12)

  In this beginning-intermediate dance class, students are introduced to new movement vocabulary, and increase physical strength, flexibility, and stamina. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. The ballet history included in this course covers the Romantic era. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Dance III and/or department approval, females en pointe, and/or department approval)

• CORPS DE BALLET (GRADES 7-12)

  This intermediate course moves at a quicker pace and combinations become longer. The class works on movements such as double pirouettes and simple jumps embellished with beats. Pointe work becomes increasingly advanced, and if students are en pointe, they are expected to wear their pointe shoes more often. Students will also learn the history of the Classical era in ballet. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Ballet Company Apprentices and/or departmental approval, females en pointe)

• BALLET SOLOISTS (GRADES 7-12)

  This advanced-intermediate class moves at an accelerated pace as students incorporate and build upon the skills learned in the previous levels, learn new and more challenging ballet vocabulary, develop their artistry, and if they dance en pointe do so more often. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. The ballet history included in this course covers the Russian influence in the early 20th century. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. The dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Ballet Company Corps de Ballet and/or department approval, females en pointe)

• BALLET PRINCIPALS (GRADES 8-12)

  In this advanced course, students learn new and challenging ballet vocabulary at an accelerated pace and, if they dance en pointe do so in every class. Dancers also have monthly assignments to discover current dancers, choreographers, and dance companies. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 8-12; prerequisites: Ballet Company Soloists and/or department approval, females en pointe)

• VARIATIONS (GRADES 11-12)

  The objective of this course is to teach our most advanced and serious dancers how to express their individual musicality and artistry. Throughout the year the students learn variations, short dances ranging from one to two minutes from Classical era ballets such as Paquita, La Bayadere, and Raymonda. Students are assessed by their performance of each variation. If they dance en pointe, students do so in every class. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. (Grades 11-12; prerequisites: Ballet Principals, and/or department approval, females en pointe)

• CONTEMPORARY TRAINEES (GRADES 7-12)

  This course is offered to all students who have had beginning to intermediate dance training and emphasizes continuing to learn and refine comprehension and application of beginning/intermediate modern vocabulary and movement. Students focus on the study of body placement: correct alignment, developing musicality, and proper transfer of weight. Students begin to self-correct for retaining and memorizing combinations quickly. Students gain experience with improvisation technique, complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress, and have one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. (Grades 7-12; prerequisite: Dance I and/or department approval)

• CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE (GRADES 7-12)

  This class requires at least two current years of focused modern-based contemporary training. It allows students the opportunity to learn Lester Horton technique and understand its significant contribution to dance. Students learn to take responsibility for memorizing combinations quickly and accurately and are expected to attain a sufficient degree of mind-body awareness in order to self-correct during exercises. Throughout the year, students work to understand and control the turnout of their hips, placement and control of their arms, and the line of their bodies. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress while continuing to work on improvisation and choreography. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Dance IIA and/or department approval)

• CONTEMPORARY SOLOISTS (GRADES 7-12)

  This intermediate class requires at least three current years of focused modern-based contemporary training. This class moves at an accelerated pace as students incorporate and build upon skills learned in the previous levels while learning new and more challenging modern-based contemporary vocabulary. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 7-12; prerequisites: Contemporary Company Ensemble and/or department approval)

• CONTEMPORARY COMPANY PRINCIPALS (GRADES 8-12)

  This advanced-intermediate dance class requires at least four years of focused modern-based contemporary training. Students learn new and challenging contemporary vocabulary at an accelerated pace with a focus on floorwork and partnering. Due to the fast pace of the class and performance requirements, students are expected to retain corrections and choreography. Students will regularly complete self-assessments of their technical skills and progress, improvise frequently, and continue to hone choreographic skills. Dancers will have at least one performance opportunity, which will include the Spring Arts Festival Dance Concert Curricular Spring Dance Concert. It is not uncommon for students to spend more than one year at the same level. (Grades 8-12; prerequisites: Contemporary Company Soloists and/or department approval)

• CONTEMPORARY CHOREOGRAPHERS' LAB (GRADES 9-12)

  This advanced class is the fourth level of the contemporary performance company curriculum and requires at least five years of focused modern-based contemporary training. The class progresses at an accelerated pace and is geared toward students who have the ability to both execute and appreciate varied choreographic styles and processes. Students are asked to use technical skills acquired in the previous levels in new and challenging ways in order to create their own authentic choreography. The class focuses on developing new vocabulary as well as expanding students’ understanding of contemporary dance history, including exposure to a wide variety of choreographers and their respective pieces. Due to the brisk pace of this class, success will be enhanced by students’ ability to receive feedback and remain open to the creative process. Dancers will have at least one opportunity to create group and solo works for others as well as themselves. (Grades 9-12; prerequisite: Contemporary Company Principals)

• CHOREOGRAPHERS' LAB ADVANCED (GRADES 10-12)

  This course is designed for advanced contemporary dancers to continue to develop their choreography skills and to deepen their focus in specific areas that interest them after taking a year of Contemporary Choreographers' Lab. Students will continue to learn about the choreographic techniques and professional choreographers they began to study in Choreographers’ Lab. They will have the flexibility to select the activities and projects to create their own course curriculum focusing on their areas of interest such as pedagogy, dance on film, performance skills, creating longer productions, solo work, ensemble work, site-specific work, or whatever they might dream up. (Grades 10-12; prerequisite: Contemporary Choreographers’ Lab)