Unit 1 - Area of Study 3: Dance technique and performance
Outcome 3
Safely and expressively perform a learnt solo, duo or group dance work.
Examples of learning activities
- The structure of learning activities in this area of study will vary depending on the styles and movement vocabularies being used. They could include: warm up and cool down, technique class to expand the range of physical skills and movement categories, cross training (yoga, gymnastics, acrobatics, aerobics, weight training) and culminate in a learnt, rehearsed and performed dance work.
Detailed example
Warm up
Begin with movements that have a small range of motion, and then move through the following:
- aerobic conditioning
- exercises that isolate body parts and joints
- core strength work
- simple movements becoming more complex ones
- gradual increase in the range of motion and variety of speeds
- stretching.
Technique class
Each section of this class can be varied to cater for time available, focus on a particular movement category and so on. In each class, follow the same order, for example:
- warm up
- stretching
- barre or floor work
- centre work/Adage/isolation
- turns
- travelling/corner work
- jumps/enchainements/combinations
- strength work
- cool down.
Learnt dance work
Focus
Process involved in realising a dance work – learning, rehearsing and performing a choreographed group dance and employing dance skills in performance.
Task
Rehearse, reproduce and perform to an audience a group dance made by another choreographer. (Dancers must reproduce the dance exactly as outlined by the choreographer.)
Choreographer’s brief
Create a group dance of between 3 and 5 minutes’ duration, which must include both aerial and floor pathways and challenge the dancers both physically and intellectually, extending their understanding and previous experiences of being one person among a group of dancers.
Learning
Students learn the dance in a single lesson per week over 8 weeks.
Rehearsing
Students rehearse the work and offer feedback on each other’s work during each session, discussing options for refinement. Students also contribute to decisions regarding costumes and other production elements.
Preparing for performance
Students plan for the performance during the rehearsal period and trial a range of ideas.
Performing
Students perform the dance in front of a selected audience.
Evaluating
Students review the final performance and document the processes used to learn the work.