The Academy for Fine Arts at Frederick County Public Schools
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Dance Course Descriptions

Provisional Students
Beginner Dance
663141 Grades 9-12
A reasonable studio fee and/or specific shoes or dance attire may be required.
This course is for any student who has little or no formal dance training. It focuses on beginning technique for a variety of dance forms. At this time, the student begins to make judgments about the value of dance. Dance history, physiology, vocabulary, and dance criticism are emphasized. The student differentiates among the forms of dance, dancers, and choreographers.

First Year Academy Students
Dance Technique and Composition (1 Credit)
663460                    1A                               Grades 10-12
663461                    1B                               Grades 10-12                                                                 
This course emphasizes rigorous training to develop and extend the artistic, affective, cognitive, and psychomotor potentials of the student. The student will be provided with opportunities to explore and perform ballet, jazz, modern, world and theatrical dance forms. Focus will be on enhancing technique in regards to alignment, flexibility and strength with the goal of honing a student’s ability to retain and explore movement phrases. In addition, students will study and enhance performance skills while implementing techniques learned in the classroom in a variety of performance venues.
During composition study, students will explore a variety of processes and elements that may be used in the study of making dances. Students will create their own dance studies in response to a variety of assigned choreographic exercises. Topics will include elements such as space, time, shape, and dynamics. Improvisation will be employed to initiate the exploration of concepts. Students will begin developing their own aesthetic and stylistic approach to choreography and will engage in critiques of their own and other’s work and are expected to work rigorously and imaginatively to expand in new directions. Students will participate and perform in group and individual composition assignments.

Dance History and Criticism (1 Credit)
663464                  1                                  Grades 10-12
In this course, students explore dance personalities with specific choreographic and artistic ideas through their writings, videotapes of their dances, and by creating dance studies that are based on their ideas. Students will study dance trends and genres as they relate to world events while exploring the place and importance of dance in various cultures throughout history. In addition, students will become dance critics as they analyze the aesthetic elements of dance performance through a critical mindset. Students will relate work in Dance Composition directly to Dance History and Criticism studies so that the students complete written work as well as create dance projects based on historical trends and personalities.
 
Dance Kinesiology/Anatomy (1 Credit)
663466                                                        Grades 10-12
In this course, students will examine the structure and function of skeletal and muscular systems.  (Kinesiology is the study of the body in motion through examination of how the skeleton, joints and muscles move and function.)  Students will examine and evaluate their own muscular flexibility and strength.  From this examination, each student will summarize strengths, limitations, muscle tension and flexibility that will be used to create a personal conditioning plan. Students will also explore and apply principles of body alignment, explore how muscles and joints work in motion, increase flexibility and range of muscle and joint motion, examine anatomical and connectivity relationships to the execution of movement, examine ways improving overall strength and flexibility influence dance technique, promote greater body awareness and concentration and encourage self-responsibility and autonomy. Healthy lifestyles will be explored as they relate to dancer nutrition and overall health.


Second Year Academy Students
Dance Technique and Composition (1 Credit)
663462                    2A                                Grades 10-12
663463
                    2B                                Grades 10-12
This course emphasizes rigorous training to develop and extend the artistic, affective, cognitive, and psychomotor potentials of the student. The student will be provided with opportunities to explore and perform ballet, jazz, modern, world and theatrical dance forms. Focus will be on enhancing technique in regards to alignment, flexibility and strength with the goal of honing a student’s ability to retain and explore movement phrases. In addition, students will study and enhance performance skills while implementing techniques learned in the classroom in a variety of performance venues.
During composition study, students will explore a variety of processes and elements that may be used in the study of making dances. Students will create their own dance studies in response to a variety of assigned choreographic exercises. Topics will include elements such as space, time, shape, and dynamics. Improvisation will be employed to initiate the exploration of concepts. Students will begin developing their own aesthetic and stylistic approach to choreography and will engage in critiques of their own and other’s work and are expected to work rigorously and imaginatively to expand in new directions. Students will participate and perform in group and individual composition assignments.

Dance History and Criticism (1 Credit)
663465                     2                                  Grades 10-12
In this course, students explore dance personalities with specific choreographic and artistic ideas through their writings, videotapes of their dances, and by creating dance studies that are based on their ideas. Students will study dance trends and genres as they relate to world events while exploring the place and importance of dance in various cultures throughout history. In addition, students will become dance critics as they analyze the aesthetic elements of dance performance through a critical mindset. Students will relate work in Dance Composition directly to Dance History and Criticism studies so that the students complete written work as well as create dance compositions based on historical trends and personalities.

Dance College and Career Readiness (1 Credit)
663467                                       Grades 10-12
This course is designed to concentrate on College and Career Readiness by working on the following: an artist statement or biography, a one-page resume, two to three solos for audition purposes, development of interview skills, and exploration of college, conservatory, and university programs in dance and other related fields of study. In addition, the course is designed for the students to investigate, research, and develop proposals for projects, internships, and/or choreography for the Capstone Project for the student’s third year.

Third Year Academy Students
Graduation Requirement 
(1 Credit)
Students may choose to take their senior year English credit or another course necessary for graduation.


Theories and Practices in Content (1 Credit)
663500 Grade 12
The course emphasizes the practices of being a visual and performing artist from both practical and theoretical perspectives. Methodology is refined as a basis for lifelong practice in arts field. Students develop into active, independent, and critical contributors to their art.

Mentor/Internship
(1 Credit)
663501  Grade 12
Students explore career opportunities that they may consider studying in a post-secondary setting. Students are placed for one semester with adult mentors to explore the responsibilities, benefits, advantages, and disadvantages of a career choice. Each school’s Transition Education Teacher-Coordinator serves as a conduit between the school and internship site. Each student will be paired with a faculty advisor. An approved project is completed during the internship and requires the demonstration of both oral and written communication skills.

Academy Capstone Project 
(1 Credit)
663502 Grade 12
The capstone experience may be connected to the mentor/internship; a research project; a career-related project; an arts, media or information resource design portfolio; the preparation and performance at a competition/festival/exhibition; or leadership of a school/community initiative. The capstone experience must be planned and approved in accordance with a teacher mentor and/or business partner upon completion of the application. Students must complete and submit an Application a Capstone Experience Description and a Capstone Experience Agreement. Capstone experiences will be assessed by the mentor teacher, and/or a small group consisting of academy leaders, teachers and/or professionals from the community.


Want More Information?  Give us a call or email!


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AFA Coordinator

jonathan.kurtz@fcps.org

Telephone

Voice: (240) 236-8352
Fax: (240) 236-8201

Visit Us

Governor Thomas Johnson High
1501 North Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
  • Home
  • Focus Areas
    • Dance
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Musical Theatre
    • Visual Art
  • About
    • Staff
  • Application Information
  • Visit the AFA
  • Events
  • Galleries
    • Art of Being Human 2018
    • Walk of Art 2019
    • Ekphrastic Collaborations 2020
    • Darkness to Light 2021
    • AFA Sponsors
  • Donate