This course is designed to introduce beginning level dancers to a variety of styles, including ballet, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, and cultural dance. Students will also receive monthly conditioning classes in Pilates and yoga. Students will develop technique and composition skills through in-class choreography projects. Public performances are not required; however, students may volunteer to participate. Choreography for performance in the fall and spring semesters will be taught in class, but additional staging and tech rehearsals after school will be required for students who choose to perform. Students will complete fitness and nutrition logs, live performance critiques, and dance journals. Students will need dance clothing in order to participate (dance clothing can be provided for students in need).
Essential Learning Outcomes (ELOs):
ELOs covered in this course will focus on mastery of the following skills:
Students develop technical proficiency in a variety of dance styles and demonstrate understanding of essential skills.
Students apply knowledge of dance vocabulary in movement and in descriptive analysis.
Students work independently and collaboratively to apply choreographic principles, processes, and skills.
Students create and communicate meaning through improvisation, composition, and performance of dance.
Students develop SMART goals for fitness/dance, nutrition, and self-care, measuring their progress and reflecting on their goals.
Students apply dance science principles in cross-training and conditioning classes to enhance performance, reduce injury, and improve well-being and health.
Students analyze the function and development of dance in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting human diversity as it relates to dance and dancers.
Students critically assess and derive meaning from works of dance, performance of dancers, and original works according to the elements of dance and aesthetic qualities.
Students make connections between dance, history, culture and other subject areas. They also explore careers in and related to dance.
Students demonstrate development in SEL competencies in self and social awareness, self management, relationship skills, and responsible decision making in rehearsal and daily activities.