Dance

This course is intended for ANY student who wants to focus on enhancing and refining athletic performance through techniques and training in dance. No dance experience is required. Agility, flexibility, footwork, balance, and endurance are all specifically addressed in this beginner course. A student taking this will improve upon his or her ability to perform on the athletic field. Students will be expected to wear loose fitting athletic wear and the course will include in school assessment/performances and presentations of students original dance phrases.

• Open to students in all grades and levels of experience.

This course builds on what students have learned in ABS through a deeper focus on tap and contemporary technique and performance skills. In the first quarter tap classes will develop rhythm, style and sound. Students will learn a variety of tap styles from Broadway to Rhythm tap. Exercises will focus on building flexibility of the knee and ankles, coordination, and speed of movement. In the second quarter students will be introduced to the dynamic capabilities of the body as an articulate means of expression. They will be presented basic concepts and skills from contemporary dance forms that include Afro-modern, floor work, inversion, classical modern and improvisation. Classwork develops efficient alignment, strength, flexibility, coordination, rhythm, dynamics and spatial awareness. Class will conclude with teacher created dance works in performance. If taken following Agility, Balance, and Strength this will complete your Fine Arts Requirement.

• Open to students in all grades who have completed ABS or by permission of instructor.

This course builds on what students have learned in ABS through a deeper focus on creating dance works. Students will explore the Laban principles of Time, Space, Weight and Flow through structured improvisations. Emphasis is placed upon conceptualizing the problem and the dancer’s instantaneous response to various catalysts. Experimentation, and manipulation of rudimentary dance ideas will result in phrases and studies that have repeatable, recognizable form. And finally pre-classic music and modern art sources from selected time periods will serve as stimuli for dance studies, solo, and small group dance pieces. Class will conclude with teacher and student created dance works in performance. If taken following Agility, Balance, and Strength this will complete your Fine Arts Requirement.

• Open to students in all grades who have completed ABS or by permission of instructor.