Ballet

A classical dance form based on line, grace, flexibility and strength. Basic structure of the class includes: barre, center and across the floor combinations; all performed to classical piano music. Ballet slippers/leotards/tights recommended; check with individual instructor.

Elementary:

Learning and practice of basic movement vocabulary focusing on barre work and center work, stretching and strength, graceful line, balance and body awareness.

Low Intermediate:

Expanding elementary dance vocabulary to include more challenging combinations, footwork and pirouettes

Intermediate:

For the skilled dancer: a fast paced class with longer, more intricate steps, multiple turns and jumps. Focus is on clear, expressive dancing and improving musicality and technique.

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Stretch, Strength and Alignment

Elementary:

Beginning through advanced skill levels welcome in this course which focuses on gaining strength and flexibility for dance. Intensive floorwork, use of Dynaband, proper body placement and specific use of breath is emphasized.

Intermediate:

Intermediate and advanced dancers welcome in this continuation of Stretch, Strength and Alignment I. In addition to intensive progressive floorwork, students will also be introduced to exercises at the barre, standing and sitting. All exercises are designed for those with good flexibility, dance training and either instructor approval or a prerequisite of Stretch, Strength and Alignment I.

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Jazz Dance

An upbeat class using a variety of musical styles in order to perform movement based on body part isolation, sequential movement, turns, jumps, culminating in a longer dance combination. Jazz shoes recommended at higher levels; check with individual instructor.

Elementary:

Basic understanding of correct body placement, simple patterns and rhythms. Focus will be on improving coordination and flexibility through dance exercises and beginning to become self-expressive within choreographed movement.

Low Intermediate:

Continuation of elementary skills; introduction to several dance styles, more complex combinations, turns, jumps, layouts and floorwork.

Intermediate:

For the skilled dancer. Development of Low Intermediate vocabulary; introduction of advanced technique such as: multiple turns, turning jumps, long dance combinations, refinement of jazz style and performance quality.

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Modern Dance

Use of weight, breath and space is emphasized in this course. Live accompaniment on piano and percussion allows the dancer to understand the close bond between music and dance. Modern dance is also defined as "creative dance", often including the use of imagery, improvisation and personal expression.

Elementary:

Emphasis on development of flexibility, strength, fluidity and basic dance vocabulary; learning to move to a variety of rhythms and qualities of movement.

Low Intermediate:

Building upon elementary principles to include more complex patterns and movement variations; learning and practicing more refined dance technique.

Intermediate:

or the highly skilled dancer. Intensified training of the student with focus on highly stylized and complex movement combinations geared to challenge technical ability and performance quality.

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Tap Dance

Elementary:

This course is focused toward the student with no previous tap dance training. Students will learn basic steps and concepts for ease of tapping. The basic steps and rhythms will be put together into simple combinations and routines. Students must provide their own tap shoes. See instructor at first class meeting for details.

Intermediate:

A prerequisite of Tap I, instructor approval or recent previous tap experience is needed to attend this course. Speed, memory and more intricate steps and rhythms will be emphasized. Individual showing of rhythms and steps will be integral to hearing and perfecting the taps in each class and students should be prepared for individual attention. Time steps, wings, cramp rolls and tap turns will be worked on separately and then incorporated into the routines. Students must provide their own tap shoes.

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Technique and Performance

This course will focus on the fundamentals of dance as a performing art. Emphasis will be placed in the areas of giving and taking stage direction and personal feedback, clarifying and defining musicality, refining classroom dance phrases and augmenting them for performance opportunities, participating from start to finish in the creation of a short dance work. Students will have the opportunity to explore dance and its relationship to: stage space, group work, rhythmic and thematic variations. The semester will culminate in a performance or participation in the annual Spring Dance Showcase produced by the Physical Education dance faculty. Students will be enrolled by instructor approval only (CEC) and must be concurrently enrolled in a Physical Education dance technique class. Because of the sequential nature of this course, no absences will be allowed.

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