Dance

open to all forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

No experience necessary. This energetic and creative class puts the FUN in dance FUNdamentals! Dance Fundamentals helps students learn how to control their bodies while increasing flexibility, strength, coordination, agility, and balance.  It is the perfect class for the athlete-artist. By pairing the physicality of dance with the creativity of the art form, this class is fantastic cross-training for any athlete trying to take their skills to the next level or the artist looking for new ways to explore and express their art. With a focus on self-expression and creativity, this entry level dance class is designed for everyone! Classes explore the foundational aspects of various styles of dance and choreography, from contemporary to ballroom, and everything in-between. Jumps, turns, stretching, strength training, and choreographic principles make this a lively and dynamic class. 

open to all forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

The course is designed to inspire an appreciation for the art of dance, while also preparing students for a more advanced study of dance technique. No previous dance experience is necessary. Students are introduced to the athleticism and technique of dance for males. There is an intense focus on male specific jumps, turns, tricks, strength building, flexibility, agility, stamina, isolations, and coordination. This is a physically demanding course. Students will learn male jumps, turns and tricks in various styles of dance including ballet, contemporary, and folk dances including capoeira and gopak. 

open to all forms

Semester-Long HALF-CREDIT ELECTIVE

PREREQUISITE: Beginning Dance OR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR

Building on the foundation of students’ previous ballet experience, this course explores more advanced theories of classical ballet technique with a heavy focus on strengthening body mechanics. Students increase their ballet vocabulary and perform more complex and advanced ballet combinations as they continue to refine their use of:

• core control;
• movement quality;
• body placement; and
• aesthetic line.

Increasing strength, agility, coordination, flexibility and stamina is emphasized. The aim of the course is to develop the discipline to combine the physical demands of ballet with artistic freedom of expression.

open to all forms

Semester-Long Half-credit Elective

PREREQUISITE: Beginning Dance OR PERMISSION OF THE INSTRUCTOR

Building on the foundation of students’ previous modern dance experience, this course explores more advanced theories of modern and contemporary dance. Movement and creativity are highlighted with an emphasis on personal expression. Students practice floor exercises and center combinations designed to increase their:

• core strength;
• flexibility;
• use of weight and momentum;
• body isolation;
• improvisation; and
• freedom of movement.

Utilizing these tools, students develop their own personal styles through self-expression, movement and choreography, and ultimately have the opportunity to create their own choreographic piece.

Open to V & VI Form Students

Prerequisites: Dance 2: Ballet, plus permission of instructor

Yearlong course

The structure of this course is a working model of the professional dance world; students experience what it means to be a professional artist in the field of dance. Students will continue their training in advanced classical ballet technique while discovering other aspects of the profession. Following a three-pronged approach to their dance training, students take a weekly technique class, skills & mastery class, and a choreographically focused class. Advanced Studies: Ballet gives students the structure to pursue their technical and artistic interests in classical ballet while developing specific dance-based projects that allow students the freedom to explore their own interests and self-expression. 

Open to V & VI Form Students

Prerequisites: Dance 2: Contemporary, plus permission of instructor

Yearlong course

This structure of this course is a working model of the professional dance world; students experience what it means to be a professional artist in the field of dance. Students will continue their training in advanced contemporary dance techniques while discovering other aspects of the profession. Following a three-pronged approach to their dance training students take a weekly technique class, skills & mastery class, and a choreographically focused class. Advanced Studies: Contemporary gives students the structure to pursue their technical and artistic interests in dance while developing specific dance-based projects that allow students the freedom to explore their own interests and self-expression.