Dance

This course defines dance as a performance art and aims to develop the technical, expressive and aesthetic abilities of students. It gives beginners grounding in the basic elements of technique to develop confidence and skills to dance in any style. Those with previous dance experience or studio training will appreciate the opportunity to improve technique and broaden their horizons by experiencing many different styles of dance. All students will also refine their choreographic skills and appraise their own work and that of others. 

Students begin with looking at safe dance practice and technique to learn to prepare and care for their bodies. This topic includes the importance of warm-up, understanding one’s own physical limitations, anatomy as it relates to dancers, injury prevention and recognising what constitutes correct technique. Thus, students will spend time on developing such aspects as leg alignment, posture, turnout, flexibility, strength and body placement during jumps and turns. 

Different dance styles are studied in greater detail than in the Year 8 Dance course. Units of work are chosen to provide a wide experience of styles and reflect the interests of students. These may include: 

• The study of contemporary choreographers 
• The evolution of dance in Musical Theatre
• Musicality and artistry in dance
• Technique and anatomy across dance styles such as ballet, jazz and contemporary
• Dance from other cultures such as Bollywood and Indigenous Australian Dance.

All units are accompanied by historical and cultural studies and conclude with a learnt dance in that style. Excursions to performances and workshops by guest teachers provide an interesting and motivating link with the professional world of dance. 

The course also has an underlying core of choreography. A study in the elements of dance and choreographic forms, provides the foundation for effective, purposeful choreography and an appreciation of the dance works of others. Students choreograph their own works in small ensembles and later in solos and duets. They prepare for performance by developing plans for the effective rehearsal, lighting and costuming of their dances. 

Dance is a performance-based subject, so students will be required to perform for their peers, as well as to a wider public audience at the end of the semester. All culminating performances will be rehearsed extensively in class to ensure students gain feedback and are comfortable and confident to take the stage. Students are required to wear basic dance clothes for safety and comfort.