Jazz Dance Syllabus, Expectations, Grading & Objectives

JAZZ DANCE SYLLABUS (DANCE THEORY 3) – Period 2

This class is taught by professional consultant, Mrs. Kitty Carter.

Description:  Jazz dance combines techniques of classical ballet and modern dance with the current forms of popular dance.  Jazz also has its own movement vocabulary ranging from the isolation of certain body parts to the movement of the entire body with the accents of musical rhythms.  Althought jazz dance can take on many different characteristics, it is usually divided into two styles:  percussive and lyrical.  Jazz dance can be patterned in either of these styles or a combination of both.  The course provides a basic understanding of contemporary jazz techniques.  The student is required to develop a variety of dance skills, both technical and rhythmical.  Emphasis is on the importance of energy, rhythmical accuracy, and style.  Each level of jazz is a continuation of the previous level and increases in difficulty. 

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Course Objectives:

1.                   Students will experience fundamentals of jazz dance performance through the use of imagery.

2.                   Students will study the history surrounding the original intent of the style of jazz studied.

3.                   Students will discover and develop performance skills that include both technique and performance quality in jazz dance.

4.                   Students will understand and appreciate the skills that are specific to jazz.

5.                   Students will master dance techniques and skills required of jazz technique. 

6.                   Class times are from 10:25-11:45 am and tardiness will not be tolerated. 

7.                   A strict dress code will be followed:  Black leotard and tights and/or jazz pants or black sweats, or professional dance wear in all black.

Course Prerequisites:        None

Description of Activities:   Instruction in jazz dance technique is designed to prepare the dancer for the professional world of musical theater, on or off Broadway and the entertainment arena.  Students will be expected to demonstrate both the technical and theoretical principles of jazz dance including: proper body alignment, a variety of jazz styles, and rhythmical accuracy. Each level of instruction builds upon the traditional and non-traditional jazz dance vocabulary.  Expectations for student performance increase with each level of jazz dance increasing with the complexity of jazz combinations.  These courses provide an opportunity for students with concentrated jazz dance training to choose a career in the entertainment, music video, or musical theater venues and/or dance in a university or conservatory program.

Method of Evaluating

Grade:                   The grade will be based on studio performance as evaluated in the following areas:

                                SKILLS (Mastery)                                                                             40%

                                PARTICIPATION                                                                              40%

                                IMPROVEMENT (Effort & Approach)                                           20%

Conferences:       You may reach the dance faculty at the following numbers to schedule a conference at least 24 hours in advance.  Direct communication is a key component to the success of each student.  Dance Consultant, Mrs. Kitty Carter will be teaching this class.

Lily Cabatu Weiss, Dance Coordinator                                                          (972) 925-1226, (214) 868-9545

                E-mail:  aweiss@dallasisd.org                                                        PREFERRED

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