DANCE

This course is for all freshmen dance majors. Students are instilled with the fundamentals of ballet class protocol and expectations, core strength, correct alignment and a basic command of ballet vocabulary. Class emphasizes a rigorous exploration of coordination, musicality, and movement in small and large groups. Students improve in confidence and self-expression through increasingly challenging ballet technique. Students will be exposed to injury prevention, ballet history and significant, current ballet artists.

This course is for freshmen and sophomore dance majors. Students are introduced to classical ballet repertory that includes ballet character dance, demi-pointe, beginning pointe for girls, variations for boys and girls and partnering. Dancers will learn to incorporate the unique stylistic demands of classical ballet repertory. Placement will be determined through teachers' assessment at the beginning of the year. 

This course is for all freshmen dance majors. With an emphasis on the modern dance techniques of Horton, this introductory class will focus dance class protocol, achieving sustained control, refinement and movement versatility. This class will increase confidence and self-expression through movement possibilities within this modern dance vocabulary. Students will be exposed to health and wellness for the dancer, the historical and cultural foundations of this modern dance form, and its influence on current dance culture. 

African Dance technique at the beginning/intermediate level. The course is a way of knowing, understanding, and experiencing culture, emphasizing cultural traditions, community outreach and diversity.  The focus will be West and Central African traditional dance and music.

An introduction to Afro Cuban Dance techniques, basic drum rhythms, and musicality, with an understanding of cultural practices and vocalizations. Afro Cuban Dance examines the traditions related to specific ethnic groups in Latin Europe and West Africa, and the influences of Rumba and Salsa Dance forms.

This course explores classic and contemporary jazz styles as incorporated in concert and commercial realm. Technique is strengthened with thorough warm ups emphasizing correct alignment, isolations, musicality and complex rhythmic patterns. Students explore personal expression through dance, incorporating various jazz and contemporary idioms. This course may be taken more than once. 

This course is for all sophomores. Students will continue to build core strength, flexibility, correct alignment and increased command of more challenging ballet vocabulary. Class incorporates more complex movement combinations with a focus on increased control, agility and artistic expression through ballet technique. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how ballet has evolved throughout history and impacts the current dance culture. 

This course is for freshmen and sophomores. Students will learn challenging classical ballet repertory with demi-pointe, pointe for girls, variations for boys and girls and partnering. Dancers will gain a deeper understanding of the unique stylistic and technical demands of expression through classical ballet repertory. Placement will be determined through teachers' assessment at the beginning of the year.    

This course is for sophomores. With an emphasis on the modern dance styles of Horton technique, this class will emphasize increased physical control and self-expression through a deeper understanding of the connection between efficiency, strength, musicality and movement versatility within this modern dance vocabulary. Students will achieve a deeper understanding of the historical world dance influences on this modern dance form and its impact on centuries of dance culture through the present. 

This course is for sophomores. Whether an emphasis on the modern dance styles of Horton technique, contemporary modern technique, or Dunham workshops, this class will emphasize increased physical control, intermediate rhythmic exercises, and self-expression through a deeper understanding of the connection between efficiency, strength, musicality and movement versatility within these modern dance vocabularies. Students will achieve a deeper understanding of the historical world dance influences on these modern dance forms and their impact on centuries of dance culture through the present.

This course will include basic Pilates, Yoga, and Floor Barre. All three techniques are extremely beneficial, practical, and functional to 
any dancer’s training.

​

The Pilates method will develop every aspect of physical fitness: strength, flexibility, coordination, speed, agility, and endurance. It will help prevent injuries by strengthening supportive muscles and correcting imbalances from daily training. It develops a deep understanding and teaches correct muscle activation as well as enhancing body control and body awareness and helping correct posture and alignment. It will help improve balance and proprioception.

​

Yoga (Hatha) is practiced at a slower pace focused on breath, controlled movements, stretching, flexibility, coordination, breathing patterns, and overall mind body awareness.
 

Floor Barre method is inspired by the Boris Kniaseff method. In floor barre class you perform ballet movements sitting and laying on the floor. It helps with pelvic floor strength, improves alignment, and increases range of motion. Floor barre is one of the top choices for injured dancers who should avoid weight bearing exercises but can still move. You might even find the reason for, and a solution to, your injuries with your floor barre practice.

​

This course is for all juniors. Students increase their ability for artistic self-expression through a deeper understanding of core body strength as it connects to increased coordination, agility, stamina, versatility and confidence. Class emphasizes more physically demanding and musically complex movement combinations, small and large group movement patterns. Students achieve a deeper understanding of musicality and personal artistic choices for increased personal expression through ballet technique. Students will learn about the diverse cultural and social influences in ballet throughout history and within current culture. 

This course is for juniors. Students will learn more challenging ballet repertory that incorporates the unique and stylistic demands of classical and contemporary ballet. Studies will include demi-pointe, pointe work for girls, men's and women's variations, partnering and ensemble work. Musicality and a focus on personal, artistic interpretation is emphasized. 

This course is for juniors. With a focus in Graham technique, this class will emphasize correct alignment for efficiency of movement, increased confidence, artistic self-expression and exposure to historical foundations of this form. Students will be challenged with movement that incorporates more complex musicality, emphasizing the unique use of weight, spiral, contraction, center of gravity, line and space. Students will be exposed to the historical and diverse cultural foundations of this modern dance form and its impact in current dance culture. 

JUNIOR COMPOSITION - Junior dance majors will study the principles of dance composition to include exploration of expression through movement with an emphasis on intent, dynamic use of space, physicality, aesthetic choice and artistic statement. Students will explore choreographic styles and movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will develop solos and group movement studies throughout the year in preparation for outreach performances and culminate with choreography and performance in the Junior Dance Composition Concert. 

This introductory technique course focuses on the study of various Hip-Hop/Street Dance styles, including but not exclusive to Funk Styles, Old School and Middle School Hip-Hop Social Dance, Breaking, and Freestyle. Students will explore the idea that these techniques are built upon specific thematic movements that have come to define these individual styles. As students progress through the course, their increased vocabulary will assist them in understanding early, innovative Hip-Hop/Street Dance as a platform for todays social, commercial and experimental Hip-Hop Dance culture. Through synchronous and asynchronous online instruction, corresponding assignments and class discussions, students will investigate their cultural identity as an entry point into Hip-Hop/Street Dance culture. 

Students will learn to apply ballet technique to contemporary choreography in order to increase range of movement, exactitude, economy and discover more freedom of expression, expanding on accumulated knowledge and embodiment of ballet technique. The class will consist of a traditional ballet warm up and follow through into choreographic studies using ballet vocabulary and nuances.

This course is for all seniors.  Students are challenged with more demanding combinations that require increased agility, coordination, stamina and artistic interpretation. Students continue to deepen their understanding of musicality and personal artistic choices for increased nuanced expression through ballet technique. Students will learn about the evolving, diverse demands and influence of ballet dance artists on historical and contemporary society. 

This course is for seniors. Students will deepen their understanding of the increased technical and artistic demands of ballet repertory with an emphasis on contemporary ballet repertory. Students are expected to interpret repertory with musicality and increased artistry. Opportunities will include performance of classic contemporary ballet repertory and performance with live accompaniment. 

This course is for seniors. With a focus on Graham technique at a more advanced level, this class will emphasize a deeper understanding of how strong technique facilitates the dancer's ability for freedom of self-expression and development of personal artistry through movement as a soloist and in ensembles. Students will achieve a deeper understanding of the classic repertory and influence of this modern form throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. 

SENIOR COMPOSITION - Senior dance majors will continue the study of principles taught in Choreography 3 as they prepare solos and group work for national competitions and college audition submissions. The focus of this course is on the creation process and producing work for the stage. In addition, seniors will focus on preparation for college/conservatory video submissions while continuing to practice and develop their choreographic skill for the stage.  Students will develop choreographic studies throughout the year in preparation for outreach and public performances leading toward the Senior Dance Composition Concert and LACHSA Graduation performances. 

Students will learn to apply ballet technique to contemporary choreography in order to increase range of movement, exactitude, economy and discover more freedom of expression, expanding on accumulated knowledge and embodiment of ballet technique. The class will consist of a traditional ballet warm up and follow through into choreographic studies using ballet vocabulary and nuances.

This introductory technique course focuses on the study of various Hip-Hop/Street Dance styles, including but not exclusive to Funk Styles, Old School and Middle School Hip-Hop Social Dance, Breaking, and Freestyle. Students will explore the idea that these techniques are built upon specific thematic movements that have come to define these individual styles. As students progress through the course, their increased vocabulary will assist them in understanding early, innovative Hip-Hop/Street Dance as a platform for todays social, commercial and experimental Hip-Hop Dance culture. Through synchronous and asynchronous online instruction, corresponding assignments and class discussions, students will investigate their cultural identity as an entry point into Hip-Hop/Street Dance culture.