Dance Courses

This course applies technical, performing, script analysis, stage management, and other skills to an actual theatrical production. Students contract with a department mentor for responsibilities and the appropriate credit expectations. In addition to production responsibilities, students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments connected to the production. This course is repeatable for credit.

This course explores the evolution of dance from early movement to the diverse representation of dance found in the world today. Emphasis will be placed on the study and appreciation of dance through an exploration of theory, history, and the perspective of cultural and social impacts, along with traditional and experimental dance forms. Students will experience and reflect on a survey of dance forms through lectures, discussions, literature references, and viewings of film and live performance.

Designed for the performing artist in the contemporary dance environment, this class will expose students to theatrical techniques to enable them to develop characters on stage. Students will be introduced to the actors’ craft, process and technique in relation to movement.

This course is designed to enrich the student's understanding of their own physical condition. Students achieve a deeper level of physical preparation for the study of dance. While conditioning and alignment are central to the course barre practices, flexibility and placement exercises and exercises from yoga and Pilates will be taught. Students will set specific individual conditioning, flexibility, and alignment goals.

Pointe technique is an element of classical ballet that concerns pointe work. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. While the primary focus is on strengthening individual dance technique and knowledge of traditional and contemporary ballet movements, dynamic alignment, movement efficiency, connectivity, articulation, phrasing, and breath support, students can expect to develop an appreciation for aspects of the ballet aesthetic while considering theoretical aspects related to historical and socio-cultural contexts.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of jazz dance through an examination of movement concepts, artistic principles, and the exploration of theory, history, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will explore various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street, and Contemporary. Emphasis will be placed on body isolations and rhythmic phrasing to help students develop an appreciation for jazz dance as an art form. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and their comprehension of jazz dance in relation to music, space, time, and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about jazz dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice, and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course.

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of hip hop through an exploration of theory, historical and aesthetic foundations, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will experience a variety of movement qualities, develop techniques for proper body stretching and conditioning, and be exposed to basic hip hop styles and trends. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of hip hop dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about hip hop dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course.

This course is designed as an introduction to dance as a developmental, expressive, and creative art form. Students will learn how the artistic principles and movement concepts of: basic rhythms, dance technique, improvisation and beginning choreography; impact the creation and execution of modern dance. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of modern dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. Theoretical aspects of dance related to historical and socio-cultural contexts will be explored. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required.

This course is designed as an introduction to ballet observed through artistic principles, movement concepts and the exploration of technique. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of the ballet form in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. While the primary focus is on strengthening individual dance technique and knowledge of traditional and contemporary ballet movements, dynamic alignment, movement efficiency, connectivity, articulation, phrasing, and breath support, students can expect to develop an appreciation for aspects of the ballet aesthetic while considering theoretical aspects related to historical and socio-cultural contexts. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required.

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of dance and choreography through an exploration of theory, history, and social-cultural perspectives encompassing the elements related to designing movement. Students will explore various approaches of dance composition and the creative process from historical and cultural perspectives while examining the interactions of dance and movement found in society today. Attention will also be placed on the role of designing movement and space beyond the dance studio. Examples from live and recorded performances, as well as digitally produced creations such as animations in television, movies and video games, will be examined.

The description will be specified in each Special Topic Documentation Form.

This course is designed to explore cultures from around the world, emphasizing how dance is derived as an expression and reflection of each culture and people. Students will have the opportunity to actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of world dance and culture. Students will experience a cross-cultural examination and analysis of dance traditions and movement through historical, critical, artistic, and socio-cultural contexts.

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of the intersection of dance and technology. Students will examine historical and contemporary integrations of technology in both the creation and production of dance. This inquiry-based exploration broadens perspectives and encourages inventiveness as students actively investigate the relationship between dance and technology.

This course focuses on the significance of African dance and movement intertwined in historical, cultural, and social contexts. Students will actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of dance from various regions of Africa. Students will explore how African dance offers a different perspective of movement compared to a more western focus.

In this course, students will actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of the relationship between dance and movement behavior. Students will creatively engage with emotional, physical, and cognitive processes through the movement of the body. Emphasis will be placed on self-awareness and a first-person experience of movement.

RIT Dance Collective is an audition-based company providing in depth dance experience and training for RIT students. Students participate in School of Performing Arts and NTID Department of Performing Arts dance productions on campus and touring opportunities as well as engaging in community performances.

Ballet is a form of dancing performed for theatre audiences. Like any other dance forms, ballet may tell a story, express a mood, or simply reflect the music. But a ballet dancer's technique (way of performing) and special skills differ greatly from those of other dancers. Ballet dancers perform many movements that are unnatural for the body, but when these movements are well executed, they look natural and beautiful. The beginner section is for students with 0-4 years of formal training. The intermediate/advanced section is for students with 5 or more years of formal training. Both sections will focus on the various ballet movements, from the very fundamental to more complex movements, poses and classical styles. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

Advanced Ballet is for students with 5 or more years of formal training. This class will focus on the various ballet movements to solidify fundamental techniques to more complex poses and styles. Each week, choreography will be introduced that will incorporate classical, contemporary and modern styles to challenge, refine and enhance each dancer’s skill level. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

This course is designed as a beginner introduction to Ballroom Dancing. Dances covered will include the Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Cha Cha and East Coast Swing. Major course objectives include developing kinesthetic awareness, natural body rhythms, and improving posture. Concepts covered include lead and follow techniques, establishing frame, footwork, style. rhythm and musicality. Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear soft soled shoes or dance shoes. Flip flops are not recommended. No need to sign up with a partner, we will be rotating partners throughout the semester. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill.

This advanced course is designed for students who have participated in formal ballroom training or have successfully completed the Beginner Ballroom class at RIT. Dances covered will be the Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Quickstep, Rumba, Cha Cha, and Swing. The focus will be on understanding different rhythms, musicality, partner skills, footwork and presentation. The intent is to create a sense of student competency as an above average ballroom dancer. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

This course is designed as a beginner introduction to Metrengue, Bachata, Salsa, Cha Cha, and Salsa Rueda. A brief history of each of these dances coming from the Caribbean and Latin America will be discussed. Concepts covered will include lead and follow techniques, establishing frame, footwork, style, rhythm and musicality. Major course objectives include kinesthetic awareness, developing natural body rhythms and improving posture. Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear soft soles shoes or dance shoes. Flip flops are not recommender. No need to sign up with a partner, we will be rotating partners throughout the semester. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill.

This course provides students with a wide range dance vocabulary which is created from ballet, modern dance and ethnic traditions. The styles of Bob Fosse and the fall and rebound of Jose Limon are a basis for this jazz course. The course will focus on the basic, intermediate and some advanced movements of contemporary jazz dance to help enable students to experience successful and enjoyable jazz dancing. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

Covering the latest line dances, club, and studio couples dances, Country Line Dancing is designed for beginning to intermediate dancers. Traditional dances give depth and background to the various basic terminology and techniques. Becoming familiar with today's social sector, dance adds excitement to body coordination, improved memorization, gained confidence, partner skills, self-confidence and enhanced creativity. The Electric Slide, Chattahooche, Dr. CC, Earthquake and Bubba are line dances of distinction. Couples pursue the Cha-Cha, Two Step, Waltz and the Sugar Waltz (full of turns and spins). Beginning with music beats and basic dance choreography counting, students pursue understanding that lays the foundation to all. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

Hip Hop dance refers to styles primarily danced to hip hop music or that have evolved as a part of the hip hop culture. Hip hop dances are often considered street dances because of how they were formed and are being practiced. This hip hop class offers basic to more advanced skills that will encourage students to use their bodies in ways that help to develop/execute many different stylistic techniques. This class is high-paced and challenging and allows students to emphasize their creative rhythmic talents. As hip hop is a broad genre in dance studios the instructor has the freedom/room for personal interpretation thus allowing the class to be highly creative. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

Often marked with a blur of flashing feet, Irish step dancing has emerged from the pubs of Ireland to the international stage. This course teaches the style of dance made famous by the shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. In addition to being introduced to the rich history of Irish dance, students will learn soft shoe, hard shoe and ceili (group) dances. Be prepared for a great cardiovascular workout. Irish dance requires endurance, coordination and strength. The first dances (reels, jigs and slip jigs) are taught in soft shoe. These dances begin to teach the fundamentals of Irish dance. As you progress, you will start to learn more complex soft shoe dances, and then move onto learning hard shoe dances (treble jigs and hornpipes). **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

This course is designed as a beginner introduction to Swing Dance. All of the Swing Dances originate from the Charleston so a brief history of each of the different styles and their similarities and differences will be discussed. Dances covered will include Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing and West Coast Swing. Major course objectives include developing kinesthetic awareness, natural body rhythms, and improving posture. Concepts covered include lead and follow techniques, establishing frame, footwork, style, rhythm and musicality. Students are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear soft soled shoes or dance shoes. Flip flops are not recommended. No need to sign up with a partner, we will be rotating partners throughout the semester. **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill.

Tango Dancing will focus on dancing comfortably and expressively to traditional tango music in a social setting. Argentine Tango traditionally stresses improvisation over repetition of set patterns. Students will progress from simple walking exercises to an introduction to simple steps and figures that are idiomatic of Argentine tango. Once students are comfortable with basic figures and a connection to the music and their partner, we will progress to more complex sequences built up from the basics. We will emphasize the spontaneous discovery of these sequences as a creative response in the moment to the music and to our partners over the route memorization of rigid choreography. Students will learn the art of dancing expressively while also respecting the boundaries of other dancers on the floor. Navigation - or floor craft - is an essential skill to master in order to enjoy dancing in a crowded room. Upon completion of the class, students will feel comfortable dancing at a tango social dance along side experienced tango dancers. *Note: This is a Co-Ed Class environment.* **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**

Rhythm, technique, and musicality are the three areas of tap dance emphasized in this course. Whether you are brand new to tap or have previous experience, this course challenges students of all levels. Each level will receive tap steps and variations appropriate for their level. Beginners will learn basic steps, shuffles, ball changes, flaps, Maxie Fords, buffalos, and turns. Intermediate and advanced technique include wings, pullbacks (pickups), more intricate footwork, directional changes, and challenging variations. Styles include soft shoe, waltz clog, swing tap, musical theater and urban. *Note: Tap shoes are required.* **Fee: A course fee applied via SFS bill. See Course Notes for course fee information.**