Course Finder

• Advisory: Dance 25.

This course is an intermediate level of West African dance with an emphasis on techniques of Guinea, Senegal, Mali and Ivory Coast. The class will introduce both traditional and contemporary styles of West African dance and offer lectures in historical/cultural practices at an intermediate level.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

This course introduces students to the movement and music of Salsa Dance and its cultural, historic, and geographic origins. The basic dance technique, musical structure, and terminology is studied along with elements of body placement, style, and characteristics of the form including turning techniques and partnering. Additionally, bachata and cha-cha-cha dance forms will also be studied in this course.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Advisory: DANCE 26A.

This Intermediate Salsa Dance course immerses students in the movement and music of Latin American social dance and its cultural, historic, and geographic origins. Intermediate levels of dance techniques, musical structure, and terminology are studied along with elements of body placement, style, and characteristics of the form including turning techniques, solo work and partnering. Additionally, intermediate levels of Bachata and Cha-cha-cha dance forms will also be studied in this course.

• Prerequisite: None.

This course surveys Brazilian dance with an emphasis on Afro-Brazilian technique and styles. Course content will include dances of the Candomble Orixas, folkloric forms such as Maculele and Maracatu, Samba, and contemporary Brazilian choreographies. Instruction will also include lectures on the vital relationship between dance, drumming, song, costume, and legends of these living traditions. The impact of these dance forms on Brazilian society will also be presented in both lecture and movement technique.

Dance 27 serves as preparation for Dance 57A, the Global Motion performance class. Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Dance 27 or equivalent Experience.

This course offers an intermediate level of Brazilian dance with an emphasis on further developing aesthetic concepts and principles of traditional and contemporary Afro-Brazilian dance movement. Course content will include in-depth study of orixa dance movement, introduction to the Silvestre Technique, folkloric dances from the Northeastern region of Brazil, contemporary Afro-Bahian dances and further development of these living dance genres in performance. Correct body alignment and placement will be stressed with the goal of mastering new steps, more advanced footwork, rhythmic patterns and critical analysis of this global dance form.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.

This course introduces students to the movement, music, and costumes of Middle Eastern/North African Dance. In this course students will examine historic culture and modern developments in this dance genre. Students will study the origins of Middle Eastern/North African dance techniques, rhythms, and terminology.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.

This course is designed to introduce the concepts and principles of classical ballet technique to the beginning student with emphasis on body alignment/placement. Correct body alignment and stance will be stressed throughout the semester. Class will be taught in the classically accepted manner of learning ballet technique with movement phrases demonstrated by the instructor then practiced by the student to musical accompaniment. Movement vocabulary designed to improve and enhance each dancer’s strength, coordination and flexibility will be included in each class.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Dance 31 or equivalent experience.

This course offers a beginning/intermediate level of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on further developing aesthetic concepts and principles of classical ballet technique learned in Dance 31. Correct body alignment and stance will continue to be stressed throughout the semester and technique combinations will be added with the goal of mastering new steps and terminology introduced in barre and centre sequences. Class will be taught in the classically accepted manner of learning ballet technique with exercises demonstrated by the instructor then practiced by the student to musical accompaniment. Movement phrases to improve and enhance strength, flexibility and endurance will be included in each class.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 32 or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 33.

This course is designed to introduce the concepts and principles of classical ballet technique at the intermediate level. Dance 33A is taught in the classically accepted manner of learning ballet technique. Exercises at the barre and centre will incorporate combinations of movements practiced to various musical rhythms and dynamics. This course facilitates students learning of other dance styles, and prepares the dancer for stage performance experience. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 33A or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 34.

This course is designed for students to continue to master concepts and principles of intermediate ballet technique with an emphasis on the development of improving technical ability. Exercises at the barre and the centre will continue to incorporate combinations of movements practiced to various musical rhythms and dynamics. This course will introduce concepts of dance kinesiology and injury prevention as well as prepare the dancer for stage performance experience. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 33B or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 35.

This course is designed for the students with a sound understanding and mastery of ballet technique at an intermediate/advanced level of ability. Extensive ballet terminology, complex combinations of movements, diverse musical rhythms and dynamics will be introduced throughout the semester. This course will emphasize strengthening the student’s technical ability and preparing the student for study at the advanced level of ballet technique. Study of kinesiology and injury prevention will be included as well as preparation for stage performance experience. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 34A or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 36.

This course is designed for the student at the advanced level of ballet technique. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the advanced level of technique the dancer has achieved. Extensive ballet terminology, intricate movement combinations, diverse musical rhythms and dynamics will be centered both at barre and centre. This course will prepare students for auditions and stage performance experience in professional fields, as well as guide the student to devise the movement combinations for the class in anticipation of future teaching responsibilities. Study of kinesiology and injury prevention will continue to be included. Students majoring in dance should prepare audition for transfer. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: Instructor approval required.
• Advisory: DANCE 34B or equivalent experience.

This course introduces the advanced ballet student to the basics of beginning pointe work. Topics covered include placement and strength-building exercises, selection of proper footwear, and barre and center work in soft shoes and en pointe.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: Instructor approval required.
• Advisory: Dance 37 or equivalent experience.

This course introduces advanced ballet students to the intermediate level of pointe work. Students work on placement, body alignment and barre and center work en pointe at the intermediate level. Students will learn selected classical variations necessary for transfer and professional auditions. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.

This course is a beginning level modern dance technique class with an emphasis on body alignment/placement, an introduction to kinesiological awareness, movement in space, modern dance terminology and introduction to historical forms of modern dance in the United States. This course focuses on foundational technique, creative experiences, conditioning and stretching exercises to improve and enhance each dancer’s strength, limberness and flexibility. Historical studies on topics surrounding modern dance pioneers, codified styles, cultural influences, and current trends are included.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: Dance 41 or equivalent experience.

This course offers a beginning/intermediate level of modern dance technique with an emphasis on further developing aesthetic concepts and principles of movement learned in Dance 41. Correct body alignment and stance will continue to be stressed throughout the semester and technique combinations will be added with the goal of mastering new steps and terminology. More complete use of body parts, complex movement phrasing and vocabularies, and new technical skills will be introduced in class.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 42 or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 43.

This course is an intermediate level of contemporary modern dance technique with an emphasis on developing technical and compositional skills. Dance 43 will embrace increased range of motion, more complex phrases with various musicality, and more in depth analysis of movement and choreography. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 43A or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 44.

This course is designed for students to continue to master concepts and principles of intermediate modern dance technique with an emphasis on the development of improving technical ability. Dance 43B introduces compositional skills, diverse movement phrases with different styles, changes of levels, and increased “air” skills with multiple turns. This class is designed to prepare students for stage performance experience. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 43B or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 45.

This course is an intermediate-advanced modern dance technique, continuation of Dance 43B. The ability to transfer, invert and do phrases in retrograde, as well as use dynamic physicality (high energy changes in levels and dynamics) is explored. Repertory excerpts are also included in this course. This class is designed to prepare students for stage performance experience.This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.

• Prerequisite: None.
• Advisory: DANCE 44A or equivalent experience.

Formerly Dance 46.

This course is designed for students at an advanced level of contemporary modern dance technique. Emphasis is placed on maintaining the advanced level of technique the dancer has achieved. The ability to transfer, invert and do phrases in retrograde, as well as use dynamic physicality (high energy changes in levels and dynamics) is explored. Original and traditional repertory excerpts are also included in this course. This class is designed to prepare students for stage performance experience. Students majoring in dance should prepare audition for transfer. This class is intended for dance majors.

Attendance of dance productions for which students must purchase tickets, see smc.edu/dance, is required along with written assignments.