Teaching Curriculum

Swing Dance/Authentic Jazz
The introduction of practical applications of Swing Dance and Authentic Jazz dance styles, history, vocabulary and technique. Develops partnering placement and technique, leader/follower concepts using mirror imagery, resistance and force dynamics, proper hand placement, overall couple dexterity. Emphasizes rhythmic cadences while challenging couple unison. Proper techniques in aerial and acrobatic execution.

Dances of the African Diaspora
Follows and connects the historical overview of traditional African dance, music, and ritual in folkloric and contemporary cultures in the Americas, Brazil, the Caribbean and South India. Emphasizes the interconnection and similarities of music and dance, resulting in contemporary fusion of international music and dance styles, including Hip-hop.

Afro-Brazilian Dance I
Traces from Africa the traditional dance, music, cultural and ritual migration to the Northeast region of Brazil. Explores folkloric dances of the Orixa, processional dances of Afoxe. Practical applications of Capoeira (Brazilian martial art) and features the jubilant dances of Samba de Roda.

Afro-Brazilian Dance II
Advanced study of the African influence in Brazilian culture. Examines folkloric dances of the Orixa and the contemporary movement exploration in the forces of nature. Explores contemporary social dance trends Lambada, Arrocha (couple dances) and Axe (group stadium choreography). Practical applications of Capoeira (Martial art) and dance (Maculele) and features the jubilant dances of Carnival and Samba.

Dance of the Caribbean
Traditional, social and folk dances of the Caribbean paralleled with history and cultural commentary of the dance and its origins. Tracing the African influence from slavery, including circular dance formations and flirtatious couple dancing, through and including contemporary social dances of Reggae and Reggaeton.

Art In Education Programs
Dance education, music and history for grades K – 12, and adults. Developing motor skills, coordination/spatial dynamics, strength/flexibility training, body alignment, calisthenics, aerobic training, African dance technique and general dance discipline. Emphasizes rhythm and complex rhythm patterns by introducing international music appreciation and concepts with traditional, contemporary, ritualistic and ethnically infused music styles.

JAZZ I – The Early Years: “Jookin’ to Jazzin’”
To develop the basic components and history of select jazz styles, technique and execution. Emphasis on the structure of the universal jazz dance vocabulary and movement. Will explore the influence of early nightclubbing (Jook Houses), minstrel shows, vaudeville, and authentic jazz techniques engaging in the theory of “The aesthetic of the cool.” Analysis of works by Josephine Baker, Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Pepsi Bethel.

JAZZ II – From Africa to Broadway: African influences in American Jazz
An advanced approach to the jazz dance technique. Increased difficulty in the basic jazz component including acrobatics, floor work, fluid/lyrical dynamics, and complex rhythm cadences. Explores the rebirth of African influence in American jazz through the works of Katherine Dunham, Cholly Atkins, improvisational jazz music and Hip-hop. In depth discussion: Is everything old new again?

JAZZ III – Celebration of African-American Choreographers from the concert stage to the video age
Intermediate/Advanced study of jazz technique and performance theory. Explores various contemporary choreographic approaches to the jazz discipline with an emphasis on performance. Analysis of the evolution of jazz dance and technique through and including Hip-hop. Discussing: What is the next wave of the Black Dance Vernacular?

Modern Dance
Instruction in Horton, Graham and Contemporary Dance technique. Instilling dance principles, theories and applications through body conditioning, vocabulary and technique.