6th Grade Elective
Grade 6
All 6th grades participate in the Fine Arts exploratory wheel to allow them to explore SCPA’s core fine arts courses. Some students, with teacher recommendation and/or audition, may choose instead to specialize in Instrumental Music (Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Band or Orchestra); Choral Music (Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced); or Dance (General Dance or Dance Foundations taken as P.E. credit).
General Dance (Non-Dance Majors)
Grades 7-8
This course is a beginning class for those students who wish to explore various forms of dance. Students will being to develop technical strength through basic skill of ballet, jazz, tap, and creative movement. Other forms of dance may include musical theatre, folk, ethnic, and social dances. Basic information on dance history, anatomy, terminology, health/safety, careers, and related arts will be available. Physical education credit will be given. Girls will wear leotards and tights. Boys will wear a white T-shirt, black sweats or dance pant. All students will wear ballet, jazz, and tap shoes.
Dance Foundations I
Grades 7-8
This course builds on the technical skills of classical ballet. Other styles may include introductions to modern, jazz, tap and world dance forms. Academics will include exposure to terminology, history, health and fitness. Students will experience creative expression through improvisation and short dance studies. Girls will wear black leotards, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Boys will wear fitted, white T-shirts, black dance pants and black jazz shoes.
Dance Foundations II
Grades 7-8
This course is the next level beyond Dance Foundations I with the primary emphasis on classical ballet technique. Other styles ma include continuation of studies in modern, jazz, tap and world dance forms. Academics will include continued exposure to terminology, history, health and fitness. Students will experience self-expression through dance studies and choreographers. Girls will wear black leotards, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Boys will wear fitted, white T-shirts, black dance pants and black jazz shoes.
Dances of Mexico and Spain (5938)
Grades 7-8
This dance class is designed for those students who wish to concentrate on the dances of Mexico and Spain. The focus includes Mexican folkloric and Spanish regional dances. Girls will wear black leotards, skin-colored tights, a practice skirt and black character shoes. Boys will wear black dance pants, white T-shirts, and black dance shoes/boots.
Dances of the Emerald Isle (5939)
Grades 7-8
This course is designed as an introduction to the variety of forms within Irish dance. Skills specific to Irish step dancing will be introduced, as well as basic elements of partnering and social dancing. Girls will wear black leotards and tights, and black jazz shoes or Irish gillies. Boys will wear black dance pants and white T-shirts, and black jazz shoes.
To meet the wide variety of interest levels/abilities of our dance students, the dance department is offering the enrichment and professional strands of dance. Both strands will expand the student’s understanding and appreciation of dance as an art form. The enrichment strand consists of one-period dance classes for those students who are trying to determine their area and level of interest in dance. Our hope is that many of the students who enroll in the enrichment strand will eventually choose to enter our professional strand of dance. The professional strand is a series of two-period dance classes designed to develop an individual student’s dance skills and enable them to advance to higher level-dance classes.
Dance Technique 1 (5711)
Grades 9-10
Prerequisite: Audition placement for Dance Major.
This it the entry-level dance major course. This course builds on technical skills beyond the basics of classical ballet and modern dance. Combinations with progressively more difficult movement patterns will be presented. Academics will include the study of dance history, terminology and basic anatomy. Emphasis will be placed on health/fitness, correct body alignment and injury prevention. Girls will wear black leotards, pink tights and pink ballet shoes for ballet and skin-colored tights with bare feet for modern. Boys will wear white tank shirts, black dance leggings, black or white ballet shoes.
Intro to Theatre Dance/Musical Theatre Workshop 1-2 (5711.2F)
Grades 10-12
This course is designed for students who wish to concentrate on the dance style of musical theater. This course will be taught in conjunction with Musical Theater Workshop 1-2. Skills will be introduced with an emphasis on Broadway-style tap, character jazz, ballet, and ballroom. Renowned people in the musical theater dance world will be studied. Physical education credit will be given. Girls will wear leotards, tights, and jazz shoes. Boys will wear t-shirts, black dance pants, and jazz shoes.
Dances of Mexico and Spain I (5958)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Teacher approval or completion of 2 years of the Dance Enrichment strand (which should include at least one year of Ballet or Theater Dance).
This dance class is designed for those students who wish to concentrate on the dances of Mexico and Spain. The focus includes Mexican folkloric and Spanish regional dances. Girls will wear black leotards and skin-color tights, a practice skirt and black characters shoes. Boys will wear black dance pants, white T-shirts and black dance shoes/boots. Fine arts or physical education credit will be given.
Dances of the Emerald Isle I (5948)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Teacher approval or completion of 2 years of the Dance Enrichment strand (which should include at least one year of Ballet or Theater Dance).
This dance course is designed as an introduction to the variety of forms within Irish dance. Skills specific to Irish step dancing will be introduced, as well as basic elements of partnering and social dancing. Both soft-shoe dancing and hard shoe dancing will be introduced; the latter will be presented after the first semester. The historical aspect of Irish dance will be explored through library research and guest lecturers. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given. Girls will wear black leotards and tights, and black jazz shoes or Irish gillies, which will be available for purchase at the beginning of the year. Boys will wear tights and T-shirts, and black jazz shoes.
Ballet 1-2 (5790/5791)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Placement evaluation or teacher recommendation.
This course builds technical skills beyond the basics of classical ballet. Combinations with progressively more difficult movement patterns will be presented. Preparation for performance will be introduced with self-discipline, focus, and group awareness. Academics will include the study of dance innovators, elements of composition, and ballet terminology. Students will study basic modern dance as a supplement to the curriculum. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Girls will wear black leotards, white or ballet pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. Boys will wear white T-shirts or leotards, black dance pants and ballet shoes. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given.
Ballet 3-4* (5972/5973)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition/Ballet 1-2, Theatre Dance 1-2 or teacher recommendation.
This dance course is for students who have technical proficiency beyond the beginning level Ballet 1-2. At this level, increasingly challenging technical skills will be emphasized. Performance quality, stage projection and execution of movement will be stressed along with increased ballet vocabulary. Performance opportunities are through department and class concerts. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Academic strands will include health/safety for dance, dance history, ballet terminology, anatomy, choreographic elements, and related arts. Students will continue modern and character dance forms as a supplement to the ballet curriculum. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given.
Ballet Ensemble 5-6* (5974/5975)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Advanced skills in ballet and modern or teacher recommendation.
This course is for the advanced student in classical ballet. It is designed to provide an opportunity to refine and increase the dancer’s technical expertise and performance quality. Other dance corms such as modern, Spanish, or character dance bay be explored for their complimentary content, contrast, and relationship to ballet. Academic strands will include ballet history, theory, choreography/composition, health/safety in dance, and technical theatre. Additional performance opportunities are available at this advanced level whether as solos, duets, trios or small to large ensemble work. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given. This course is taught concurrently with Ballet Ensemble 7-8.
Ballet Ensemble 7-8* (5976/5977)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or teacher recommendation.
This course is the highest level of training for the more proficient or professionally aspiring dancer, who has completed the advanced curriculum of Ballet 5-6. Specializing in technique of ballet and pointe, these students also experience modern dance styles and character dance forms as part of the curriculum. Performance, dance production and classical repertoire are studied, providing additional performance opportunities while demonstrating refined technical expertise. Academic strand may include ballet history, health/safety, anatomy, principles of teaching, choreography/composition, technical theatre, dance careers, and related arts. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Physical education or fine arts credits are available. This course is taught concurrently with Ballet Ensemble 5-6.
Modern Dance 3-4 (5955/5956)
Grades 10-12 (5955/5956)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Ballet 1-2 or Theater Dance 1-2, audition or teacher recommendation. Choreography and Technique is also recommended.
This intermediate level class is designed for the students who want to explore the various techniques of modern dance pioneers such as Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Lester Horton and Jose Limon. Other modern dance styles, creative and eclectic forms of movement may also be taught as a supplement to the curriculum. Elements of choreography/composition and dance terminology will be taught, while performance quality, stage projection, and execution of movement in large to small groups will be explored. Academic strands may include dance health/safety, history, anatomy, and related arts. Performance opportunities are department concerts and other venue. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given.
Modern Dance Ensemble 5-6 (5968/5969)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition or teacher recommendation. One year of Ballet is recommended.
This course covers more advanced and intricate concepts in modern, contemporary, creative movement, and ballet will be taught while building upon the codified to eclectic techniques of the modern dance masters. Students will learn and apply advanced movement vocabulary as well as discover new and innovative self-inspired shapes, forms, patterns, and movement. Conventional to non-conventional music, sounds, and silence will be explored in relationship to choreography/composition/performance. Academic strands may include innovators in modern dance, dance terminology/theory, anatomy, dance health/safety, careers in dance, technical theatre, and related arts. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given.
Theatre Dance 1-2 (5960/5961)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Placement evaluation or teacher recommendation.
This course builds technical skills beyond the basics of jazz, ballet, and tap. Combinations with progressively difficult movement patterns will be presented. Preparation for performance with self-discipline, focus, and group awareness will be taught. Academics will include the study of dance innovators, elements of composition, and terminology. Students may study other dance forms as a supplement to the theater dance curriculum. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Girls will wear black leotards, white or ballet pink tights. Boys will wear white T-shirts or leotards, black dance pants. Physical education nor fine arts credit will be given.
Theatre Dance 3-4* (5962/5963)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Audition/Ballet 1-2, Theatre Dance 1-2 or teacher recommendation.
This dance course is for students who demonstrate technical proficiency beyond the beginning level. At this level, increasingly challenging technical skills in jazz, tap, and ballet will be emphasized, along with performance quality, stage projection and execution of movement. Performance opportunities are through department and class concerts. Academics strands include health/safety for dance, dance history, terminology, anatomy, choreographic elements, and related arts. Other dance forms may be used as a supplement to the curriculum. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Physical education or fine arts credits will be given.
Theatre Dance Ensemble 5-6* (5964/5965)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Audition/Teacher recommendation. Students should have advanced skills in tap, ballet and jazz.
Theatre Dance 5-6 is a course designed for the advanced dancer in ballet, jazz, and tap. Other dance idioms and styles may be incorporated in order to create a more well-rounded and experienced dancer. Extra performing opportunities are usually available at this level in solos, duets, trios, and small to larger ensemble work. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Academics strands will include advanced units in anatomy, dance theory, history, choreography, the teaching of dance, professional performance qualities, technical theatre and careers in the dance field. Physical education or fine arts credit will be given. This course is taught concurrently with Theatre Dance Ensemble 7-8.
Theatre Dance Ensemble 7-8* (5966/5967)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisites: Audition/Teacher recommendation. Students should have advanced skills in tap, ballet and jazz.
This course is for the more proficient and pre-professional student who has completed the advanced curriculum of Theatre Dance 5-6. Specializing in jazz, tap, and ballet, these students are given the responsibility to develop curriculum, implement the principles of teaching, and choreograph for all class levels. They are given additional opportunities to perform new and repertory pieces at a more refined performance and technical level. All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Academic strands may include ballet history, health/safety, anatomy, dance career research, and related arts. Physical education or fine arts credit is available. This course is taught concurrently with Theatre Dance Ensemble 5-6.
Dance Production 1-2* (5980)
Prerequisite: Audition/Teacher recommendation. This class is only for seniors in ensemble level classes.
Dance production is a semester course, which meets the advanced theatre, modern or ballet classes. This course allows students the opportunity to use dance production techniques, culminating in a student choreographer’s concert under the direction of the class instructor(s). All students are expected to perform in their class concerts to fulfill their grade requirements. Students will be expected to do research in choreography, as well as learn and apply the technical aspect of theatre. Physical education or fine arts credit is available. This course is taught concurrently with the 5-6/7-8 level of dance classes. |
