SOTA Dance Department Requirements
translated through you into action, and because there is only one
of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it,
it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.”
–Martha Graham
Let your light shine... “–Judith Jamison
DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of Elvia Marta, students will train
in modern/jazz/blues, ballet, and choreography, and will also attend a
variety of master classes and workshops.
These classes will offer students solid training in dance technique
and will help them experience the beauty, joy, and challenge of dance. This training is at a pre-professional level
and will prepare students to enter the professional dance world.
COURSE
EXPECTATIONS
Tardies: Students will arrive at the studio each day
by school bus. Students should
bring their lunches to eat on the bus.
After arriving, they should immediately enter the studio, dress
for dance class, and begin warming up.
Students must be present and prepared for class no later than 1:25 pm.
If a student arrives late, she or he will not be permitted to attend class
and will be market absent. Such
an absence will count as a “cut”.
Preparedness: Being prepared for dance class not only means
being physically present and dressed properly, it also means being mentally
and energetically prepared for class.
After dressing for class, students should begin preparing themselves
mentally and physically for class: find a quiet corner, think about goals
you have for class, begin warming your body, focus. Please note: bathroom
and water breaks are not permitted during class time unless due to medical
condition (such students must bring a doctor’s note). Students should
bring a water bottle for use during class and should take care of their
bathroom needs before or after class.
Any student who leaves class without permission should not return and
will be marked absent.
2. Dance Class Attire
Students must adhere to the department dress code for
dance class as follows:
Ballet: Leotards and tights or unitards, ballet slippers
Modern
Jazz: Leotards, tights, jazz pants, or unitards, jazz shoes,
ballet shoes, or bare feet
All extra clothing is forbidden unless studio is cold
and instructor gives permission for students to wear close-fitting sweaters
or legwarmers.
SOTA dance students have chosen to participate in a body-centered discipline. Students should treat their bodies with care and respect by preparing themselves nutritionally for the rigorous training they will endure each day. Students should avoid excess sugar and junk food including McDonald’s and other fast foods and should choose whole foods including fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and grains. Students should also avoid crash dieting and starving themselves! Students and parents are welcome to approach teachers for nutritional advice.
Negative behavior and attitude are not tolerable in the SOTA Dance Department. Students must work hard and respect every one of their teachers. If a student shows disrespect, has an attitude problem, or is consistently unprepared for class, his or her parent will be called in for a parent-teacher conference. The Department will not hesitate to dismiss a student who does not fulfill departmental requirements.
Students must participate in all departmental performances
including the annual Spring concert and invitational requests from other
schools and organizations. Students must also attend all master classes
and workshops. Rehearsals for the
dance concert will begin no later than January. It is imperative that
students be present for every rehearsal call for the annual concert. A
student who misses more than two rehearsals will be taken out of the piece.
See Dance Concert page for details.
Students are required to submit a portfolio of dance-related
work twice yearly. Students who do not submit a portfolio will not be
able to earn an “A”. Late portfolios will not be accepted by any teacher.
Portfolio requirements and due dates will be handed out at the start of
each semester.
Students will be individually evaluated twice per year
and will be required to attend an evaluation meeting with all teachers
in the department. Teachers will complete an evaluation form for each
student, analyzing student progress and noting areas that need improvement.
The Department will take one week to complete such evaluations, meeting
with students individually over five days. Dance classes will be suspended
during evaluation week. Students
are required to complete a self-evaluation before their scheduled meeting
time.
Grading will be based on student’s fulfillment of the
course requirement as outlined above. Attendance and quality of participation
are very important. Three tardies equal one absence. Three absences will
lower a student’s grade one level (an “A” will become a “B”). Not dressing
for class two times or more will equal one absence. Since
dance is a participatory activity, there will be no make-up work. Parents,
please do not plan your vacations during the school year. Teachers
will carefully consider each student’s individual evaluation for determining
her or his grade. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.50 to stay
at SOTA and participate in the dance concert.
SOTA
Dance Portfolio Requirements
Discussion
of all supplementary work (5 pts.) – SOTA dance students are expected
to attend outside dance classes to supplement classes at SOTA. Which classes
have you atte nded this semester and how have these classes supplemented
your work at SOTA?
Describe the quality of your participation in all of your
dance classes this semester, concentrating on energy, attitude, and focus.
What improvement(s) did you make this semester?
What challenges did you face this semester in dance class
and how did you approach these challenges?
What challenges do you face for next semester and beyond?
Has the Dance Department met your expectations? Describe.