For a complete listing of courses and descriptions, view the 2023-2024 Course Selection Guide.
Courses for All Grade Levels
- Honors Ballet Technique
An intense course of study based upon long-established concepts and ideas taken from the Vaganova, Cecchetti, Royal Academy of Dance and Cuban schools. Students develop the physical and mental coordination, the refined sense of music and movement, and the muscular strength and flexibility necessary for a successful professional career in dance.
- Honors Pointe Technique/Variation/Partnering/Pas De Deux
One of the defining elements of classical ballet, Pointe Technique focuses on acquiring strength in order to create lightness and elegance. Students learn to dance on pointe with ease and elegance and, work toward gaining a solid understanding and control of the technique in order to perform demanding combinations with ease and intricate coordination.
Variation classes provide an opportunity for students to learn a variety of classical and contemporary solo works. Great attention is given to clean execution and transitions of movements, sense of style, and musicality. In addition to developing rehearsal skills, they will gain valuable insight into the performance process and will broaden their perspective on the history of each ballet variation, deepening their engagement with the role. In Partnering, using contact improvisation and weight sharing exercises, students will develop an understanding of where to find support on a partner’s body, how to make one’s body easiest to support, and how to invite cooperation in a lift or other moment of shared weight.
Literally the “step of two,” Pas de Deux classes are the culmination of a student’s training. Pas de Deux training begins with simple promenades, floor work, and basic pirouettes. Eventually, and only when the partners have developed the strength and timing, they can partake in the aerial work such as overhead lifts, throws, and catches. At the discretion of the faculty, students may be invited to attend Pas de Deux classes as an alternative of some Pointe Technique/Variation classes. Due to the potential for physical injury, only the most appropriately conditioned females can participate in these classes.
- Honors Men’s Technique/Variation/Partnering/Pas De Deux
In Men’s Technique class, students acquire strength, speed, elevation, and the power necessary for batteries, tours, and specialized grand allegro jumps.
Variation classes provide an opportunity for students to learn a variety of classical and contemporary solo works. Great attention is given to clean execution and transitions of movements, sense of style, and musicality. In addition to developing rehearsal skills, they will gain valuable insight into the performance process and will broaden their perspective on the history of each ballet variation, deepening their engagement with the role.
In Partnering, using contact improvisation and weight sharing exercises, students will develop an understanding of where to find support on a partner’s body, how to make one’s body easiest to support, and how to invite cooperation in a lift or other moment of shared weight.
Literally the “step of two,” Pas de Deux classes are the culmination of a student’s training. Pas de Deux training begins with simple promenades, floor work, and basic pirouettes. Eventually, and only when the partners have developed the strength and timing, they can partake in the aerial work such as overhead lifts, throws, and catches.
Due to the potential for physical injury, only the strongest males and the most appropriately conditioned females can participate in these classes.
- Honors Modern Dance/Modern Fundamentals/Contemporary Dance Techniques
The Modern Dance/Modern Fundamentals/Contemporary Dance Techniques class explores principles formulated by modern dance pioneers such as Jose Limón, Martha Graham, Lester Horton, and Merce Cunningham. The class also introduces students to other dance genre such as Ballroom, Jazz and Hip Hop, and to cultural-based dance forms such as African Dance.
The class addresses kinesthetic awareness, and explores aesthetics associated with the various dance genres and styles learned.
- Honors Repertoire
In Ballet Repertoire, students learn a diverse range of ballet styles from Classical to Romantic, Neoclassical, and Contemporary. In this class, students develop rehearsal skills and learn to adapt to a diverse range of choreography from already established to new, original works.
The Modern Repertoire student learns a diverse range of styles chosen from modern and contemporary techniques dance genre. In this class, students develop rehearsal skills and learn to adapt to a diverse range of original choreographic works.
- Special Seminars
This course emphasizes a concentrated examination of diverse dance-related subject matter to broaden the student’s experience and knowledge.
Sophomore: Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Pilates, Cross Training, and Aspects of Production
Junior: Health and Wellness, Yoga, Cross Training, and Aspects of Production
Senior: Health and Wellness, Pilates, Yoga, Cross Training, and Aspects of Production
Sophomore Level Courses
- Historical Dance and Character
Historical Dances can be found in many classical ballets of the 16th through the 19th centuries. This course focuses on the study of such historical dances as the Allemande, Sarabanda, Romanesco, Minuet, Gavotte, and the Waltz.
Character dance is a stylized representation of traditional folk or National Dance, mostly from European countries, found in Classical Ballet. This course includes the study of Russian, Ukranian, Moldavian, Polish, Hungarian, Spanish, Oriental, and Gypsy dances.
- Methodology
The Methodology course includes the study of terminology of Classical Ballet movements and their correct execution. Students will learn to choreograph class combinations using proper rhythm, meter, and phrasing.
- Ballet Coaching
This Ballet Coaching class helps students gain a greater and deeper understanding of the physicality and artistry involved in ballet technique class. Students work slowly and carefully on concepts such as aplomb/stance, body alignment, and correct skeletal and muscular application to acquire greater strength and flexibility.
- Dance History
Dance History gives the student an overview of the historical and cultural influences that shaped Western Concert Dance. It will explore the development of ballet as well as forces that were influential in the development of modern dance in America.
Junior Level Courses
- Improvisation/Composition
Through various structured movement improvisation exercises, students will develop spontaneous movements and exploration skills and gain a broader, freer, and more natural sense of movement. Students will then use problem solving techniques to explore the various facets of dance making.
- Career Preparation
In Career Preparation, students will be introduced to methods of researching careers in dance. This will include colleges, schools, conservatories, companies, trainee programs, and summer intensives, as well as related financial aid and scholarship opportunities. We will examine various dance degrees and their practical uses, as well as a variety of dance-related career alternatives. Student reflection papers outlining their goals and aspirations will help define future paths of action. Additionally, students will examine the fundamentals of portfolio preparation and college application/registration.
- Pilates and Anatomy for Dancers
The Pilates and Anatomy for Dancers reinforces the principles and philosophy of Joseph Pilates training: Concentration, Centering, Control, Breathing, Precision, and Flowing movement. This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical application of Level 1-3 Classical Mat Order. The Order is designed to stretch and strengthen the body while improving kinesthetic awareness and balancing muscle development. The study of the biomechanics involved with each movement will provide students with deeper proprioception. The study of basic anatomy helps the student-athlete avoid injury and practically apply it to the Pilates repertoire and dance. The course works in conjunction with Pilates, Grade Level 11.
- Music for Dancers: A Dancer's Working Guide to Music
Music for Dancers provides dancers a working knowledge of music fundamentals in order to enhance musicality and artistic response. Learning about the symbiotic relationship between the elements of music and the elements of dance gives dancers the skills to attune technique, movement and choreography to express themselves musically in an artistic, visual and meaningful way.
Senior Level Course
- Audition Preparation/Senior Showcase
This class prepares students for successful auditions at both the college and the professional levels. Company audition and college application preparation is addressed through individual consultation, personal research, and through coaching of class work material as well as solo performance work.
Under the supervision of the faculty, Seniors will dance in and prepare a studio performance showcasing the various dance-related fields such as choreographer, costume coordinator, music coordinator, dance writer, presenter and production coordinator.
Modern Track Courses
- Honors Modern Dance/Modern Fundamentals/Contemporary Dance Techniques
- Modern Program Repertoire
- Modern/Contemporary Solos
- Modern/Contemporary Dance Partnering
- Improvisation/Composition