Alabama School of Fine Arts

Dance Curriculum

The curriculum includes daily classes in ballet technique (ABT National Curriculum) with Pointe Technique, Men’s classes, Partnering, Classical Variations, Modern Technique (Horton based), and Ballet Theory. Units of study are offered to the Junior and Senior dance students, designed to enrich, broaden and build upon their knowledge and application of dance and better equip them for that which they will pursue after graduation.

Technique

Ballet Technique is taught in three age/ability appropriate levels, which permit each student to develop at his or her own pace. Students are evaluated throughout the year to ensure their appropriate technical development with the possibility of promotion to the next level. (required)

Pointe Technique is a comprehensive study of pointe work for female students. Beginning to advanced level. (required)

Male Technique is the study of the essential technique required of the male dancer. (required)

Partnering (classical) is the study of classical pas de deux from beginning to more advanced concepts, and for development toward performing classical pas de deux. This course is provided for the more advanced and physically mature students. (required)

Theory Class

Dance Theory is based upon the ABT National Curriculum to encourage and enable understanding of ballet technique, vocabulary and movement fundamentals.

Modern Dance

Jazz Dance focuses on beginning to advanced techniques, terminology of jazz and its relationship to ballet. (required)

Modern Dance (based upon Horton Technique) focuses on beginning to advanced work and terminology of modern and its relationship to ballet. (required)

Jazz Dance and Afro-Caribbean Dance are offered at times throughout each school year as supplemental dance forms as a part of the Modern Dance curriculum.

Professional Dance Practicum

Units of study are offered to the Junior and Senior dance students, designed to enrich, broaden and build upon their knowledge and application of dance and better equip them for what they will pursue after graduation. They include ABT National Curriculum Theory, Dance Composition, Music for Dancers, Dance History and Basic Dance Lighting. (required)

Performances

Students audition, learn, rehearse, and perform new or traditional repertory, choreography that ranges from classical ballet to modern dance. Two to four performances a year. (required)

Senior Composition Project

Senior students study the fundamentals of dance composition through a practicum that includes exploration by creating short movement phrases with guidance from dance faculty. They are required to state their individual concepts and write a thesis and choose music with the goal of creating choreography for public performances. They must work as a team to cast their pieces utilizing underclassman, choose or create costumes and communicate their technical needs. This is a final juried project inline with graduation requirements.