During this course you will learn how to deconstruct professional and existing dance works, applying various techniques and methods into your own choreography. You will learn and embody contemporary dance technique that will inform good practice in theory and practical tasks. Throughout the two years you will study cultural and world dance through performing, viewing and experiencing dance. You will consistently as a dancer, explore stimuli as a soloist and be part of a company. You will develop fundamental skills that will be useful in other day to day activity; communication, expression, cultural awareness and perception to name just a few.
How will I be assessed? You will be assessed on both theory and practice across two components: Component 1: Performance and Choreography Performance (30%) You will perform 2 Set phrase solo performances that will be provided by AQA. (30 seconds each, amounting to 1 minute duration).
AND
You will perform a duet or trio that demonstrates your performance skills in a partly set and partly choreographed dance in any particular dance style. You will show understanding of spatial and group awareness, contrasting dynamics, contact work and your own personal style with the necessary applied focus and energy.
Choreography (30%) You will respond to an exam question/stimuli provided by the exam board, and will either choreograph: A solo piece (two to two and a half minutes)
OR
A group dance for two to five dancers (three to three and a half minutes). Component 2: Dance Appreciation (40%)
Written Paper: 1 hour 30 mins Topics to be covered include health & safety, good practice and choreographic terminology. You will also study six professional dance works set by AQA and compare and contrast the movement components, set and costumes from each work. These professional dance works are: Infra – Wayne McGregor; Emancipation of Expressionism – Kenrick H2O Sandy, Boy Blue Entertainment; Within Her Eyes – James Cousins; A Linha; Curva – Iztik Galili; Shadows – Christopher Bruce; Artificial Things – Lucy Bennett, Stopgap dance company
Is this the course for me? Can you express yourself through movement; enjoy creating and learning new ways to move? Can you work as part of a team and as an individual from a variety of starting points? Are you enthusiastic about dance, watching or taking part? If you have answered yes and you have a minimum of two years dance experience then this is the course for you!
Post 16 Pathways This course provides a pathway to IB Dance or BTEC Performance. Studying Dance could lead to careers in fields such as Choreography, Performance in Dance or Theatre companies, teaching and lecturing or freelance work providing educational workshops. It also provides opportunities to collaborate with artists form other fields such as music, fashion and media.