DANC A253: Preparation for Audition - Jazz
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/08/2021 |
| Top Code | 100810 - Commercial Dance |
| Units | 2 Total Units |
| Hours | 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 18; Lab Hours 54) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This course offers instruction at the advanced level in Jazz dance, emphasizing contemporary Jazz technique and current vocabularies, with a focus on rhythmic challenges, athleticism, strength, endurance, phrasing and personal expression. The course is designed specifically to prepare the serious dancer for successful audition and university transfer as a dance major. PREREQUISITE: DANC A243 or successful audition. Transfer Credit: CSU. NOTE: This course is one of a family of courses in this subject matter. Enrollment may be limited due to State regulations. Please consult your academic counselor for clarification.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Demonstrate correct principles of alignment and articulation of the spine, feet and legs in a variety of jazz dance techniques, enabling students to audition successfully for university transfer.
- Learn and successfully perform advanced jazz dance exercises, vocabulary and traveling patterns with advanced level rhythmic challenges, individual expression, and performance quality.
- Show progress when performing short choreographies that explore contemporary jazz techniques focusing on these elements: release technique, suspension, falls and recovery from the floor, strength in off centered movements, balance, flexibility, directional changes, phrasing and rhythmic accuracy, leaps with curve, arch or tilt of the torso, turns and partner work.
Course Objectives
- 1. Improve body alignment, articulation for expression, performance quality and nuance.
- 2. Improve audition skills: ability to learn material quickly with accurate shape, timing/rhythm, movement kinetics, style and expression.
- 3. Develop phrase material that can be used for a short audition solo
- 4. Demonstrate professionalism in personal habits and presentation in order to successfully audition and meet university dance major criteria or professional work.
- 5. Identify and evaluate areas needing personal improvement; set appropriate career and training goals.
- 6. Perform complex phrases and exercises with greater confidence.
- 7. Demonstrate critical thinking and ability to verbalize personal goals, observations of dance performances, artistic concepts and movement principles.
Lecture Content
I. Lecture topics to include A. Healthy lifestyle, rest, nutrition, injury prevention and organizational skills to support intensive dance training goals and successful auditions B. Preparing for university transfer audition, company work, touring;, and for diverse choreographic demands; clarifying career goals C. Discussion of work by choreographers
Lab Content
II. Lab A. Advanced level warm-up in a variety of jazz dance techniques with greater emphasis on Lyrical Technique. B. Review of level IV jazz dance concepts; explore them in more complex technique exercises throughout the course 1. Body alignment; body curves, arches, spirals; placement and positions vs. energy flow 2. Correct use of feet, legs and hips integrated with advance rhythms challenges 3. Use of releasing the body (Lyrical style)) to achieve technique and body design; weight, breath, fall and recovery and quality C. Movement activities - exercises and dance combinations designed to develop: 1. Range of motion, flexibility, new vocabulary, and gesture 2. Strength and control, particularly whe n balancing on one leg and releasing the spine in counterpoint actions 3. Changes of body weight and directions through space with specific focus and projection 4. Rhythmic challenges,syncopations, accents and counterpoint, and coordination requiring greater speed D. Advanced center floor combinations that expand jazz dance vocabulary and style; explore low medium and high levels, changes in direction, contemporary techniques in execution of inversions, hand stands, etc. E. Locomotor patterns that develop air skills such as: asymmetrical leaps integrating curve and arch of the spine, jumps with turns in the air, chasses with curves, side bends and arches, sautés, and turns, tilts, off center balances and suspensions, utilizing a variety of movement changes in space, energy and rhythm F. Creative problems and personal expression 1. improvise short phases incorporating advace vocabulary 2. Creating, setting and performing solo phrases that can be developed for audition solos b 3. Performances of classroom skill tests G. Cool down activities
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
Instructor will use the following methodologies: Lecture and class discussion of varied current topics in dance, visual demonstration of exercises, combinations and choreography, individual and group verbal and physical corrections, analysis of movement mechanics and movement intention, style and quality, and assignments for creative expression and critical thinking.
Reading Assignments
articles, website research and/or assigned texts
Writing Assignments
Self-evaluation of videotaped skill tests and identification of student dance goals;Paper and/or class analysis of choreography viewed in live performances
Out-of-class Assignments
Attendance to Faculty Dance Concert or attendance to professional jazz performances
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Written critique of live performance.
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Skill tests
Other Resources
1. Selected handout material provided and distributed by instructor. DVD of dances and online articles and films