Department Head: Ms. C. Couch
courtney.couch@burnabyschools.ca

DANCE

Teacher	Email
Ms. C. Wilson	Christina.wilson@burnabyschools.ca

Dance Foundations 8

Through daily warm ups, teacher led choreography, and team building exercises, this beginner level course will teach students basic dance technique and performance qualities developed from the elements of movement. Through a progressive approach, students can expect to improve in strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination; in addition to building confidence and building trust with one another. Students can expect to work in pairs, small groups, and as a large class in preparation for the Year End Dance Recital in May. No prior experience or prerequisite required. *See also Dance Company and Hawaiian.

Dance Foundations 9

This course is an extension of the gr.8 level, but students do not need to have previous experience. The general structure and content of the course is like Dance Foundations 8 in its warm ups, and team building exercises, but previous dance technique is coupled with more difficult challenges. This is a great course for beginner to intermediate dancers and adjustments in difficulty levels are made for more advanced students as well. Through a progressive approach, students can expect to improve in strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination; in addition to building confidence, building trust with one another, and learning how to lead by example. Students can expect to work in pairs, small groups, and as a large class in preparation for the Year End Dance Recital in May. No previous experience or prerequisite required. *See also Dance Company & Hawaiian.

Dance Foundations 10

Depending on how the courses are split due to the number of students signing up for dance in each grade level, gr.10 students are usually placed in a split class with either gr.9 students or grade 11 & 12 students. This does not affect the quality of instruction given or the level of difficulty for the grade 10 dancer. An extension to its predecessor, Dance Foundations 9, this course is open to beginner to advanced dancers without any previous experience. This course includes warm ups and various dance activities. Dance vocabulary and technique is further developed alongside exploration of choreography. Students can expect to work individually, in pairs, small groups, and as a class to create one class dance piece to be performed at the Year End Dance Recital in May. No previous experience or prerequisite required. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. *See also Dance Company, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Dance Foundations 11

Perfect for the beginner student, Dance Foundations 11 centers students around all aspects of performance. Through basic warm ups, across the floor work, and teacher or student led choreography, students will learn basic technique in order to improve strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination. An important focus of this course is on the performance qualities of any choreography that is introduced in the classroom. Progressive lessons will allow students to work more effectively in small and larger groups. One class dance piece is perfected to be performed at the Year End Dance Recital in May. Students do not need any previous experience in order to take this course which also fulfills the 150 minutes per week DPA required for grad transitions. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. Grade 11 students have a choice of up to 6 dance classes to take at the same time. *See Dance Company, Dance Technique & Choreography 11, Dance Leadership, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Dance Foundations 12

This course is an extension of the Dance Foundations 11, but students are not required to have Dance Foundations 11 as a pre-requisite. This is a great course for beginner students. Through challenging warm ups, across the floor work, and teacher or student led choreography, students will learn some basic technique in order to improve strength, flexibility, stamina, balance, and coordination. An important focus of this course is on the performance qualities of any choreography that is introduced in the classroom. Progressive lessons will allow students to work more effectively in small and larger groups. One class dance piece is perfected to be performed at the Year End Dance Recital in May. This course fulfills the 150 minutes per week DPA required for grad transitions. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. Grade 12 students have a choice of up to 6 dance classes to take at the same time. *See Dance Company, Dance Technique & Choreography 12, Dance Leadership, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Dance Technique & Choreography 11

It is recommended to either take Dance Foundations 11 at the same time or have previous experience before taking this course, but all students are welcome to challenge themselves. Students will focus on technique and choreography strategies which include group exploration activities and individual choreography work. One class dance will be performed at the Year End Dance Recital in May. This course focusses on how students can create their own choreography through teacher guided exercises. This course fulfills the 150 minutes per week DPA required for grad transitions. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. Grade 11 students have a choice of up to 6 dance classes to take at the same time. *See Dance Company, Dance Foundations 11, Dance Leadership, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Dance Technique & Choreography 12

It is recommended to take Dance Performance 12 at the same time or to have previous experience for this class, but all students are welcome to take this course. Students will learn in a progressive environment that includes daily warm up, across the floor technique, group exploration activities, and individual choreography work. One class dance will be performed at the Year End Dance Recital in May. This course focusses on how students can create their own choreography through teacher guided exercises. This course fulfills the 150 minutes per week DPA required for grad transitions. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. Grade 12 students have a choice of up to 6 dance classes to take at the same time. *See Dance Company, Dance Technique & Choreography 11, Dance Leadership, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Dance Company 9/10/11/12 *8

Dance Company is open to qualified grade 9 to 12 students who may apply through teacher approval or an audition. This course is a class for students who are highly motivated and those who have extensive previous dance training or experience in either modern, jazz, ballet, hip hop, or breakdance. It is recommended that students take an additional dance class in either dance foundations or one of the after–school dance courses to speed up their technical learning. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation. There are two groups in this class. One focusses on hip hop technique while the other focusses on modern technique. Students are given the opportunity to create their own choreography to be presented in a future show. Students also participate in a large class dance to be performed at the Burnaby Festival of Dance and the Year End Dance recital in May. In special circumstances, exceptional gr.8 students may be hand selected by the teacher to be in this course. *See Dance Company, Dance Technique & Choreography 11, Dance Leadership, Hawaiian, and Dance Production.

Hawaiian 10/ 11/ 12 (After School) *8/9

This 4 credit course is open to grade 10 to 12 students with any level of dance experience and is considered a 9th course in the schedule as an after–school course. *Grade 8 & 9 students may join as club members. Previous experience is not necessary. Students will learn dance techniques, choreography, history, and other aspects of various Polynesian dance styles such as costuming and performance. You may be asked to perform at various events which includes the year end dance recital. This course fulfills the 150 minutes per week DPA required for grad transitions. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation.

Dance Production 11 & 12 (After School)

This 4 credit course is open to grade 11 and 12 students and is considered a 9th course. No experience necessary. Dance Production 11/12 allows students to gain experience in stage management and to improve their practical skills in the areas of design, lighting, sound, set construction, costumes, makeup and props. The course is largely experientially based, however, students will be expected to learn dance history and theory, as well as do research. Students will look at fundraising opportunities to help build the dance program’s scholarship fund. There is no dancing in this course. Students who are not enrolled in another dance course will be expected to run the year end dance recital. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation.

Dance Leadership 11/12

Dance Leadership is open to grade 11 and 12 students who have previously taken dance courses at Burnaby South. Students should have a working knowledge of how the dance studio is run and must represent the Burnaby South Dance Program in a positive manner. Students may be teamed up with a dance class to learn how to lead warm-ups, help with choreography, learn how to manage a classroom, and how to problem solve different situations that may arise in a classroom. Some students may be in a block with just the teacher in which they help the teacher with costumes, organization, choreography and may get an opportunity to work on special solo projects. Students who take a dance class in grade 10, 11, and 12 will be qualified for a dance scholarship upon graduation.

For more information, please contact christina.wilson@burnabyschools.ca