Dance Courses

DANCE 231 BEGINNING BALLET I (1.5) An introduction to the techniques of ballet.

DANCE 232 BEGINNING BALLET II (1.5) A continuation of Beginning Ballet I to augment technical proficiency.

DANCE 241 BEGINNING JAZZ I (1.5) An introduction to the techniques of Jazz dance.

DANCE 242 BEGINNING JAZZ II (1.5) A continuation of Beginning Jazz I to augment technical proficiency.

DANCE 261 (GA) BEGINNING MODERN DANCE I (1.5) Introduction to modern dance as an art form

DANCE 270 (GHA) INTRODUCTION TO BARTENIEFF FUNDAMENTALS (3) Physical and theoretical approach to movement: facilitates efficiency, and expression through dynamic alignment, mobility, kinesthetic awareness; reduce physical injuries.

DANCE 482 INTRODUCTION TO LABAN MOVEMENT ANALYSIS (3) Observe and analyze movement elements by exploring concepts of Body, Effort, Shape, and Space to increase personal communication and expression.

DANCE 484 (US;IL) DANCE HISTORY (3) Survey of dance history concerning perspectives of culture, race, and gender with a focus on Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries.

Intermediate Jazz Technique and Musicality (3)
An examination of Jazz dance technique, music structure and theory as it applies to dance performance. As a technique class, the focus will be on improving alignment, strengthening feet and arm positions, maintaining connections through the body center, sharpening rhythms and isolations, and gaining stylistic agility. The musicality aspect of the course will require the students to learn basic musical concepts, including rhythm, phrasing, overall pattern and structure, and dynamic quality. Class work will focus on applying those concepts to movement and analyzing dance using the same musical concepts.

Ballet and Theory (3)
An exploration of ballet technique and the theory of the development of ballet throughout history. Ballet and Theory is designed to acquaint the intermediate level student with the principals of classical ballet through the study of both technique and theory. The student will learn proper execution of ballet vocabulary as well as the theoretical and kinesiological concepts behind the movement.

Ballet Repertory (3)
An exploration of ballet technique and specific repertory to be learned and performed. Ballet repertory will focus on the rehearsal and performance of various historically significant and contemporary ballet variations and original ballet choreography for performance at the end of the semester.

Bodies in Motion (GHA) (3)
An exploration of basic anatomy, skeletal alignment, muscular development, function and efficiency in relationship to the production of dance movement.

Bodies in Motion introduces the student to basic anatomical materials, kinesiological concepts and their relationship to the production of dance movement. Practical movement experiences exploring this information are a large component of the class. Analyzing the varied structures within the individual body, the student will then begin to assess how best to accomplish specific movement.

Contemporary Movement Lab I (3)
Contemporary Movement Lab I consists of contemporary dance technique supported by Improvisation experiences, increasing the students ability and understanding of movement connections and the creative process. Contemporary Movement Lab I is designed to expose the student dancer to the style and techniques of contemporary dance as it uses the creative process for expression and performance. The intermediate level dancer will be developed through higher level of movement requirements, floor work, and strengthening experiences with the support of improvisation as a tool.

Contemporary Movement Lab II (3)
Contemporary Movement Lab II is designed to further expose the student dancer to the style and techniques of contemporary dance and the use of composition and choreography for expression and performance. Regular technique classes will challenge the students while increasing their ability, strength, flexibility, and understanding of the physical bodily connections required to fully express and communicate through movement.

Contemporary Movement Lab III (3)
Contemporary Movement Lab III will act as a capstone class for the Dance Studies Minor, which will consist of contemporary dance technique supported by many aspects of the creative process and performance. This class will further enhance the students' exploration into the areas of composition, performance and improvisation. Regular technique classes will challenge the students while increasing their ability, strength, flexibility, and understanding of the physical bodily connections required to fully express and communicate through movement.

Jazz Dance in Performance (3)
Jazz Dance in Performance is designed to allow jazz dance students the opportunity to further develop their technical skills through learning various concert and musical theatre dance repertoire. The course will focus on learning individual variations taken from a wide range of well-known choreographers, their styles and impact on the dance world.

Postmodern Performance and Exploration (3)
This course explores postmodern dance from 1960-present from practical and theoretical practices. Students will develop into a company of versatile performers as they participate in the creative process for the development of cross-disciplinary work.

Postmodern Performance and Exploration explores dance from theoretical and practical perspectives. Postmodern dance often draws on everyday and pedestrian movement, so no prior dance experience is necessary. An interest in intellectual and experiential artistic practices is required.

This course will cover such artists as: Bill T. Jones, Yvonne Rainer, Trisha Brown and David Gordon. The use of integrated art forms through creative process, both in the theoretical and practical sense, will be researched and explored.

Tap: The History and Practice (3)
An exploration of tap and its place in dance history, from development to current trends. Tap technique will be practiced regularly to learn and further the development of tap and the many styles covered in the class. Hoofer/vaudeville, stage and film, improvisation/rhythm tap, will be explored through the practice of specific steps, combinations and notation systems commonly used.

Contact: Ms. KT Huckabee
Assistant Professor of Integrative Arts and Dance
Office: 127 Misciagna Family Center
Phone: 814-949-5441
E-mail: