Dance

Course summary

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A LEVEL DANCE? We aim to build your skills as both a thinking dancer, performer, and choreographer, enhancing your knowledge and understanding of professional dance. This course also builds transferable skills relevant to any industry or environment: As A Level Dance student, you will learn to articulate your thoughts and ideas, work closely with others to build your communication skills, perform and present work as well as manage and organize rehearsal schedules. Commitment and dedication are attractive skills in all areas of life. Dance also complements many other subjects due to its physical and analytical nature. *Year 1 students will have the opportunity to achieve Rambert Grades, which if examined offer UCAS points. Students are often given opportunities to focus on their specific interests, which may not be included within the course specification. In the past, we have provided opportunities for budding journalists/ physiotherapists/ photographers/teachers – individual career interests are discussed and support is given within the two years of study. We also have the exciting opportunity to audition for our CHOREOGRAPHER IN RESIDENCE project – a visiting choreographer makes work on a group of exceptional dancers. This has led to performances being chosen to compete in the national U DANCE competition. COURSE CONTENT The A Level Dance specification requires students to develop, demonstrate, and articulate practical and theoretical knowledge, understanding, and experience in the areas of: • Technical and performance skills. • The process and art of choreography. • The interrelationship between the creation, presentation, and viewing/ appreciation of dance works. • The development of dance within an artistic and cultural context. • Professional dance works and the significance of these works. • Subject-specific terminology and its use. Knowledge, understanding, and skills will be developed and demonstrated within performance, choreography, and critical engagement with the study of professional repertoire located within specific areas of study. The study of professional dance works, within the areas of study, promotes the integration of theory and practice and underpins students' approaches to performance and choreography.