Dance Program

DANCE PROGRAM

Program Description

Over the course of four years, the dance majors in a class size maximum of 25 will improve their ability to listen, think, speak, read, write and move within the curriculum of various movement genres with the intension of self-mastery in accord with the Blueprint for the Arts/Dance and the National Dance Content Standards.  In a daily 90 minute format, they will multi-task in exploration, discovery, sharing, analysis of the dance forms, compositional problem solving and choreography in oral discussions, note taking, journals, reflections, critiques and essays. The dance majors are expected to attend classes daily in dress code ready to receive guided instruction in technique with an emphasis on anatomy/alignment for injury prevention, dance history within the fundamentals of creative movement, ballet, modern, jazz, and ethnic dance forms. Dance majors will build character and prepare for college and life long careers in dance or related fields of interest while interfacing with professionals, viewing dance performances, participating in workshops for marketing- development -production, performances in seasonal concerts as the Gramercy Arts Dance Ensemble and graduation preparation as candidates for the NYS Dance Comprehensive Honors Regent Exam.  

Instructional Methodology

Learner-centered, daily instruction scaffolds movement fundamentals within a differentiated  methodology of one to one/direct instruction, pair share, group/ peer instruction/mentorship, team teaching and teacher/peer evaluation in a multi-layered curriculum. Term projects take a multi-sensory approach.  Movement experiences are infused with reflections and factual research to enhance the domains of speaking, reading and writing to develop the whole being. Supplemental instruction interface students with interns from Hunter College Undergraduate Dance Program, NYU Steinhardt Graduate Dance Program, mentorship from Gina Gibney Dance Company, NYC Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Pentacle Behind the Scenes, Battery Dance/Dancing to Connect Campus Wide Project, Contemporary Ballet Theater Campus Wide Junior Dance Company, and pre-college master classes, tour and an undergraduate dance concert at Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus. Students will develop choreography in independent study and group study projects with choreographic devices and elements, and learn choreographic styles and perform in a culminating concert event. Students will develop- market -produce their Exit Project Concert in preparation for the NYC Dance Comprehensive Honors Regent Exam.

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