AS and A level Dance

Course code: DAS

Level: A Level, AS Level

Availability: Day Course

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Summary

A study of the historical and cultural development of Dance looking at a broad range of dance styles.  You will also develop the practical skills needed to perform dance and to choreograph solo and group dances.

 

Requirements

You will need:
At least five GCSEs at grade C or above to include English Language plus a genuine interest and enthusiasm for Dance.  It is not necessary to have had any formal training in dance as you will be coached fully in preparation for all performance and/or choreography work.  You must have agility, stamina and the concentration and strength to learn technical skills and to develop an understanding of choreography, You will also need to have the confidence to perform and interpret ideas for an audience

because:

  • you will need to be able to write fluently about your own personal dance practice as well as the world of professional dance from a variety of genres and styles that are studied on the course
  • you will have to perform and choreograph dances including solos, duos and group dances.

Course Content

In Year 1 you will study units 1 and 2 for an AS level.  In Year 2 you will take study units 3 and 4 to complete the full A level.

Unit 1: Understanding Dance
You will show knowledge and understanding of dance performance skills and training including anatomy, physiology, safe practices, injury prevention and correct technique. You will study choreography skills, processes, forms, structure and effective outcomes through your own work and professional repertoire. The ability to recognise the significance of the outcome when analysing dance performance is central to this unit.

You will be assessed by written examination

Unit 2: Performance Skills and Solo Choreography
You will experience the theoretical subject content of Unit 1 through practical work in this unit. You will choreograph and perform a solo chosen from questions set by the examination board. You will also perform in a duo/trio which can be in any dance genre but which shows your ability to perform in a small group.
Your two pieces will be teacher assessed and externally moderated

Unit 3: Dance Appreciation
You will study the development of dance by investigating an important dance era in history. You will study this era in its full historical and cultural context together with a critical appreciation of practitioners and their works from that area.

The three areas of study (from which we choose one) are:

  • Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes 1909-1929
  • Modern dance in Britain 1965-1985
  • Dance in the American musicals of the 1930’s and 1940’s

You will also study one set work showing a detailed understanding of this work through analysis, interpretation and critical appreciation.
You will be assessed by written examination      

Unit 4: Group Choreography and Solo Performance

You will research, devise and rehearse a group choreography in which you do not take part in. Your piece will be chosen from questions set by the examination board. You will perform a solo encapsulating the style of a chosen practitioner drawing upon skills used in Unit 2 and theoretical knowledge from unit 3.
Your choreography and solo performance will be assessed by an external examiner

What else do I need to know?

Our dance studio is a perfect setting for practical work and performance.  It is equipped with lighting, sound and video equipment.  Most Arts/Humanities subjects such as Drama and Theatre Studies, Music, Media Studies, Art and Design, History and English Literature combine well with this subject.

Trips to see professional dance companies are an important part of the course. Each A level student usually pays to go on one of the trips organised, either in the south or to a London theatre such as Covent Garden.

The course can lead to higher education courses at degree or HND level in Dance or Creative/Performance Arts and other subjects.  An A level qualification in this subject is as acceptable as any other in applications for degree courses through UCAS for most subjects.  The qualification can assist with careers in performing, teaching, arts administration, dance animateur work and dance therapy.

A typical group size is 12-15 students.  Many students have done very little dance but with hard work quickly gain the confidence and ability to perform and have done well at AS level. A sound dance technique is needed to perform to a high standard on the second year of the course.

 

 

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