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PERFORMING ARTS DANCE ACADEMY
REQUIREMENTS & COURSES

All students who have been accepted into the Performing Arts Academy are required to take 4 periods of their performing arts major, along with 4 or 5 periods of academic classes per day. No exceptions.

Each Dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach with a double period ballet class and a double period modern class per day. Supplementary courses include, dance history for sophomores, choreography and Theatre dance for juniors, and career management for seniors. All courses are required and sequential. Students must participate in summer dance programs to maintain their level of training.

All instructors have danced professionally with major dance companies, Broadway shows, on television and in film.

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Freshman Year
Courses:

Ballet AB
Ballet I AB is a course for the entering freshman or sophomore dance major with little or limited previous study and experience. Each dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach to the study of classical ballet for two consecutive semesters. This class is an introduction to the concepts of ballet through Western European techniques developed by Agrippina Vaganova and Enrico Cecchetti. Students will learn the basic core concepts of the dance techniques listed above. This basic study will include extensive work at the barre to develop proper placement. As these students acquire strength and a basic understanding of ballet technique, their study will expand to work in center floor and simple ballet combinations across the floor.

Modern Dance 1 AB
Modern I is a course for the entering freshman dance major with little or limited previous study and experience. Each dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach to the study of modern dance for two consecutive semesters. This class is an introduction to the concepts of modern dance through the techniques developed by Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Jose Limon, Katherine Dunham and other dance masters. Students will learn the basic core concepts of the dance techniques of the artists listed above. This basic study will include Martha Graham, and Lester Horton’s floor work, and will eventually evolve to include the flowing movements of Jose Limon, and the Caribbean influence of Katherine Dunham. As these students acquire strength and a basic understanding and vocabulary of these techniques, their study will expand to movement across the floor and simple dance combinations.

Tap Dance 1 AB
The study of the basics of this vernacular dance form. Students will be expected to master tap vocabulary, techniques of rhythmic clarity and use of weight shift, traditional steps such as the Shim Sham, Soft Shoe, and Time Steps, as well as learn different stylistic approaches from musical Theatre tap to rhythm tap.

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Sophomore Year

Ballet 2
Applying technical foundations while increasing the physical and technical demands of classical ballet. Ballet vocabulary and terminology are expanded. Ballet 2 students are expected to master double pirouettes, and perform strong pointe work.

Modern Dance II AB
Each dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach to the study of modern dance for two consecutive semesters. Modern II is for the entering student with previous study and experience. Modern II students are expected to work with emphasis on correct placement. Students will expand on the core techniques of Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Jose Limon, Katherine Dunham and other dance masters of modern dance learned in Modern I. Emphasis is placed on increased technical strength and vocabulary. As these students acquire strength and an expanded understanding of these techniques, their study will include movement across the floor and complex dance combinations.
Sophomore Dance Academy Drama provides the student with a deepening understanding of the Method acting process using principles developed by Stanislavski. Students will expand their physical and vocal instruments with further development of sensory awareness, imagination, ensemble, storytelling and improvisation skills. Students will apply Method principles to the development of characters and dance/movement pieces that demonstrate the ability to fill the creative process with an authentic and rich inner life.

Tap Dance 2
Further the development of musical theater and rhythm tap techniques. Study the art of tap improvisation, and the various styles of past and present day hoofers.

Dance History
An exploration of the history of both ballet and modern dance with an emphasis on guest artist/teachers who not only introduce various techniques, Limon, Taylor, Hawkins, Cunningham, and Tharp, but also teach repertory.

Drama A
In acting classes students explore and develop their instruments. They learn basic acting technique, beginning with work on self. These techniques are then applied to plays in scene work involving characters close to self.

Music Theory 1
This is the first in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. Topics in this course will include all major and minor keys, diatonic triads and their inversions, and the V7 chord and its inversions. Students will also begin four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.

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Junior Year

Ballet 3
The extension of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on virtuosity and preparation for the stage. Ballet 3 students are expected to know all terminology and maintain an intermediate to advanced level class.

Modern Dance III AB
Each dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach to the study of modern dance for two consecutive semesters. Modern III students study advanced Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Jose Limon, Katherine Dunham, and other dance masters of modern dance, with an emphasis on stage technique and performance. The study of intermediate-advanced work added to previous work, learned in freshman and sophomore year, in Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Jose Limon, and Katherine Dunham technique and other dance masters of modern dance. Also expected, is the ability to execute complex technical and musical combinations with knowledge of stage and musical terms. Students will also gain audition experience learned through experience in school auditions conducted by guest choreographers.

Tap Dance 3
Continue to master the art of improvisation with an emphasis on clarity and speed. Explore the musicianship of tap rhythms coupled with music from around the globe.

Theatre Dance
Jazz and Musical Theatre Technique. The study of American jazz techniques as used in commercial Theatre, film, and television.

Drama B
In acting class students explore and develop their instruments. They learn basic acting technique, beginning with work on self. These techniques are then applied to plays in scene work involving characters close to self.

Music Theory 2
Prerequisite: Theory 1 or equivalent.
This course is the second in a series of three courses covering aspects of music theory and harmony. This course is a continuation of topics covered in theory 1 and also includes secondary dominants, modal borrowing, and an introduction to species counterpoint. Students will also continue to hone skills in four-part writing and composition, analysis, and harmonic dictation in the above topics.
 
Choreography Workshop
The study of basic rhythmic, spatial and dynamic materials used in the designing of dance. The study of composition, dynamics, musical and choreographic devices, styles and techniques as it applies to the choreographic art.  Students will explore the fundamentals of choreography for film.   From short simple works, the student/choreographer will progress to larger pieces and produce a complete work for evaluation by the dance faculty and formal presentation during the senior year at the annual Dance Showcase.

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Senior Year

Ballet 4
Advanced study of classical ballet with an emphasis on stage technique and performance. Ballet 7 and 8 are expected to maintain an advanced/professional level class and to perform the corresponding technique.

Modern Dance IV AB
Each dance student follows a rigorous conservatory approach to the study of modern dance for two consecutive semesters. The study of advanced Martha Graham, Lester Horton, Katherine Dunham, Jose Limon and other dance masters of modern dance technique with an emphasis on stage technique, performance, and audition experience learned through experience in school auditions conducted by guest choreographers. Modern IV students are expected to maintain an advanced/professional level class and to perform the corresponding technique.

Voice - Musical Theater.
Musical theatre surveys the history of musical Theatre featuring behind-the-scenes work on Broadway musicals. Students learn the basics of sight-reading, breathing, and vocalizing. Students sing songs in groups, trios, duets, and solo from musicals to learn to apply all acting techniques to songs. Students work on at least one duet, one upbeat song, and one ballad during the term to learn to act a song.

Career Management
The dancer's professional career, including contracts, unions, auditions, resumes, headshots, and self-produced concerts. Alternative careers within the field of dance are explored through the use of guest speakers.