Dance (DANC)

This course is designed to introduce students to the history of dance from origins in ancient civilizations through European, Asian and Afro-Caribbean contributions, culminating with the study of social movements and the emergence of ballet and modern dance in America and Europe just prior to the advent of postmodern dance in the late 1950s. This course provides a wide anthropological and expressive overview of the evolution of this uniquely human form of expression. Lectures are supplemented with a variety of presentations along with explanations of influential sociological occurrences and at least one in-studio movement experience.

This performance course provides students with beginning-level dance technique in jazz styles. Students are introduced to challenging choreography, rhythm work, combinations, ethnic and multicultural movement, and criticism and critique.

In this beginning-level course, students are introduced to the fundamental principles of basic ballet technique and the basic components of a classical ballet course. Principal areas of development include basic ballet positions, musicality, terminology and anatomical principles.

With a click of the heel, students learn how to capture an audience’s attention through the art of tap dance. Students are introduced to challenging choreography, rhythm work, combinations, audition technique, and criticism and critique. Students explore the many styles and cultural history of tap dancing on Broadway and beyond as well as acquire the terminology associated with this popular form of dance and entertainment.

Audiences love a show-stopping number. In this course, students study American musical theater dance styles for stage and screen, exploring the diverse history of the genre and the prominent choreographers who contributed to its unique styles. In addition to performing excerpts from various productions, students analyze the techniques and terminology employed by professional performers.

In this course, students elevate their performance skills in the art of ballet. Tailored for trained dancers, this course delves into the intricacies of developing healthy alignment, anatomical principles, musicality, and overall artistry. Through exploration of various ballet techniques and variations from around the world, students cultivate an appreciation for dance as both a physical and mental discipline.

This studio/lecture course involves the creation of dance work. Students are introduced to a cache, or "tool kit," of devices that enable them to discover and manipulate effective form and movement for successful dances. The tools are derived from the descriptive vocabulary of devices from the Harvard Music Dictionary; modes of creation of dance from the study of basic shape, form and effort (from the German Bauhaus School and Rudolf Laban's studies); and devices from the instructor's own repertoire. The course is supplemented with research into the artistic process of renowned choreographers from a wide range of dance idioms.

Five, six, seven, eight! Since the early 20th-century, Broadway choreographers have used the art of dance to further plot development, illuminate character, and intensify emotional content. In this course, students analyze the history of musical theater as they examine the transformational impact of prominent Broadway choreographers. They experiment with a range of genres and demonstrate their skill through musical theater dance performances and mock auditions.