It is our desire that each student obtain intellectual, aesthetic and physical benefits from the classical ballet, contemporary modern, jazz, and West African training offered here at The University of Georgia. The UGA Department of Dance strives to create a healthy atmosphere of guided practice in the disciplines and principles of these techniques, with special attention given to proper alignment, movement qualities, musicality, breath and expression. Contemporary Modern Dance is a genre that integrates movement concepts and aesthetics from both classical and post-modern dance techniques, improvisation, and contemporary concert dance. Contemporary Modern training is informed by dance science and draws on the lenses of various ancillary movement forms such as Pilates, yoga, and somatic movement practices to support a wide range of related performance and educational contexts. Technique Proficiency Standards Jazz Dance is a contemporary jazz style with elements of traditional American Jazz Dance combined with new contemporary forms of jazz movement. Emphasis is given to technical proficiency, rhythmic movement, performance quality, and stylistic definition. The course content is diverse to enable the student to become more fluent in a variety of jazz movement styles, rhythms, phrasing and dynamics. Dance combinations will explore various contemporary jazz styles, infused with rhythmic and syncopated musicality. Technique Proficiency Standards Classical Ballet training is offered at several levels and students will be assigned to the appropriate level to improve and advance their technique skills. The classical ballet training is based in the principles from three primary schools of classical ballet technique: Russian school of Agrippina Vaganova, the Danish school of Auguste Bournonville, and the Italian method of Enrico Cecchetti. Additionally, classes follow the standards of the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum. Pointe classes with classical variations are also offered throughout the year and consist of preparatory barre, center combinations and classical variations. Pas de Deux classes are offered every spring semester. The instruction of these techniques is also based on the study of the science of kinesiology with specific regard to the demands that twentieth century ballet technique places upon the human anatomy. More advanced ballet technique classes embrace elements of Alexandre Munz’s S.A.F.E.™ method and other somatic practices to inform and improve ballet skills while strengthening the body to avoid injury. Technique Proficiency Standards WEST AFRICAN DANCE West African Dance Forms deeply explore the fundamentals of West African history, culture and tradition through music and dance. The use of polyrhythm, polycentric and holistic elements of movements as well us call-and-response, technical proficiency, performance quality and traditions are introduced. These West African traditional dance forms seek to contribute to creating an underlying belief in the classroom, were mind and body must be incorporated into building a community towards liberating/healing modality, transforming and empowering the individual. The course content analyzes what is lost in learning/embodying specific traditional dance movements mainly from Ghana, Guinea, Senegal and Mali and demonstrates the authenticity of the movements through performance when taught away from its original environment or country of origin or setting. The course focuses strongly on elements such as; contraction of the upper torso; use of breath; angulation; total body articulation; isolation; staying grounded; use of the pelvic thrust; multiple types of call-and-response cues; understanding the drum language and repetition; body articulation; polyrhythm; polycentrism; movement communication or dancing with the drummer; while making connections to culture and traditions. Technique Proficiency Standards HIP-HOP DANCE AND CULTURE Hip Hop Dance and Culture introduces and explores the rhythmic delivery of poetic speech and its relations or percussive nature to movements. A course structure that represents the freedom to learn (knowledge), grow (challenge) and evolve (transform) while understanding foundational principles that embraces the Hip Hop culture and community building practices as well us learning muscle control, body re-centering and body alignment related to street/Hip Hop dance style,. The course content includes the foundational elements, vocabulary, musical connection, culture and history of the Hip Hop/street dance styles and their development. Special attention is placed on the improvisational principles of “freestyling” and the collective individuality at various levels. Technique Proficiency Standards AERIAL DANCE Aerial Dance is an exciting genre that utilizes suspended apparatuses (e.g. aerial fabric, trapeze, hoop) to perform in mid-air. It incorporates movement principles and aesthetics from many ground-based dance forms (as well as circus arts) serving to reinforce technical and artistic development in other areas of the AB curriculum. Alongside physical skill training, coursework emphasizes creative development with performance opportunities including informal class showings, student choreography for YCS, faculty choreography for UGADC, and other special events on campus. Safety is the top priority in aerial coursework as evidenced by regular inspections of rigging and equipment, standard use of safety mats, level appropriate progressions for skill development, and kinesiological principles for conditioning and injury prevention. Technique Proficiency Standards Permission of Department (POD) Procedure For Dance Technique Classes Students wishing to enroll in a DANC technique class, including prospective majors and minors who have not yet completed a department audition, must participate in the placement audition held in August just prior to the first day of fall semester classes. Students who are placed at a level of II or higher will be given a POD access clearance to enroll in the class prior to the first day. Once cleared, the student is responsible for enrolling in the course(s) during drop/add. Foundation level courses do not require a clearance, however, some level II Foundation courses may require a pre-requisite override which will be provided as well. Please note, this placement audition is open only to those enrolled Fall semester. Your placement will be good for the academic year, but you will need to contact the department for a POD clearance for spring semester. Priority will be given to intended dance majors and minors. More information can be found under the Admission & Auditions tab.
