Course Description

The initial techniques and theoretical concepts of jazz dance are explored. Fundamental concepts of alignment, balance, and coordination are studied. Verbal and movement vocabulary are analyzed.

Course of study

· Warm-up

Students will isolate head, shoulders, rib cage, and hips
Students will perform various lateral stretches and lunges to warm up large muscle groups
Students will work on technical exercises: plies, tendus, degages, and developpes
Students will do strengthening exercises to increase muscle strength
Students will do stretching exercises to increase flexibility

· Across-the-floor

Students will perform short combinations that travel across the floor such as walks, battements, chasses, and leaps
Students will develop coordination and skill-building by repeating the combinations numerous times
Students will progress to more advanced combinations when they get comfortable with simple combinations

· Combination

Students will learn a dance that will be practiced for several weeks
Students will repeat the combination as many times as necessary in order to master the choreography

· History

Students will learn how and why jazz dance developed
Students will learn about famous jazz dancers, companies, and choreographers

Reading: Students will read from a variety of sources including teacher handouts, articles, biographies, and related books. They are expected to gain literal understanding of terminology and historical facts. Students are also expected to interpret, analyze and evaluate information from the readings.

Standards

Tennessee Dance Standards
http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/standards

Textbook

No MNPS Purchased textbook

Recommended and/or Required Resources

“Jazz Dance Today”. Kriegel, Lorraine: Minneapolis/St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1994
Dance Magazine
TV-DVD/VCR
“Jazz Danceology”. Alford, Marcus. Marietta, Georgia: Dance press, 1991