Dance

ASA’s dance program stretches students’ bodies and minds with a curriculum based on a core study in ballet in partnership with The School of Ballet Arizona. Our students train under current and former professionals, many with advanced degrees and certifications in arts education and somatic movement. 

Middle school training provides a comprehensive syllabus of many types and genres of dance including ballet, Horton technique, and flamenco. High school students can choose to focus on ballet or contemporary dance and additional program strands include modern dance, Horton technique and flamenco. The dance curriculum focuses on technique and movements foundational to each dance form and students learn to devise their own choreography. Our graduates have gone on to pursue professional careers with reputable dance companies all over the world. Mental focus, concentration, time management, and healthy activity are beneficial to a developing mind.

Middle School Arts sequenceHigh School Dance sequence

Students will concentrate on increasing their knowledge of ballet steps, vocabulary, build strength, and improve flexibility. Students will execute combinations that require stamina and memorization in class. Batterie (Beats) in allegro work, turns, and grande allegro will be incorporated in barre and center work. Students will study classical ballet 3 days a week. The other two days will consist of a flamenco class and a class in the contemporary dance genre. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 5th/6th

In this level students will concentrate on preparing for pointe (Ladies) and Men’s (Gentlemen) work. Class will focus on building strength in the corps, lower legs, and feet. Ballet exercises at the barre and in the center will become more complex focusing on releves, balances on one leg, increased speed, and batterie in allegro work. Students will study classical ballet 3 days a week. The other two days will consist of a flamenco class and a class in the contemporary dance genre. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 5th-8th

Students have an extended class that covers two arts periods. The class will focus on increasing the difficulty of pointework, men’s work, flamenco and contemporary dance studies. Students are expected to apply corrections related to the principles of ballet, flamenco and Horton without redirection from the instructor. They will focus on self-evaluating their technique in Ballet, flamenco and Horton with the goal of determining which “Core” level of the dance program they desire to continue training in for High School. Students will study classical ballet 3 days a week. The other two days will consist of a Horton technique and a flamenco class. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 5th-8th

Students have an extended class that covers two arts periods. The class will focus on pointe work, men’s work and contemporary dance forms. Students will focus on self-evaluating their technique in both classical and contemporary genres of dance with the goal of determining which Core level of the dance program they desire to continue their training in 11th and 12th grade.  It is expected that students develop the ability to execute with consistent use of proper posture and turn-out: multiple pirouettes, adagio and allegro work for placement in “Classical Core”. It is expected that students develop the ability to execute Horton fortifications with strong technique and artistry to be considered for placement in Contemporary Core.  Students will study classical ballet 3 days a week. The other two days will consist of a Horton technique and a flamenco class. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 9th/10th

Classical Core is for students who are seriously studying ballet. Students expand and explore in greater depth the technical and artistic nature of classical, modern and contemporary ballet. Students are expected to consistently display proper posture and rotation, line and extension of the legs in adagio, and proper speed, ballon, and spatial awareness in all allegro work. They are expected to use ballet technique to form expressive, quality movement in classical and contemporary styles of dance. The students will continue to develop their musicality and strength in the execution of the ballet vocabulary. Female dancers will have both barre and center work on pointe 2-3 times a week. Students will study classical ballet three days a week and have an additional day of ‘Classical Composition’ for workshops, repertory, classical variations and colloquia on relevant topics in today’s world of dance. The final class of the week will consist of one semester of Horton Technique class and one semester of flamenco dance class. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 9th-12th

This level is for the student seriously studying contemporary dance. The program will include five weekly classes with one day of ballet and four days concentrating on modern and Horton techniques and their derivatives: dance composition, body conditioning, repertory, workshops and colloquia on relevant topics in today’s world of dance. This will better enable our students to develop the skills they must master to gain admission into a university level dance program upon graduation from ASA. 

Prerequisites: Instructor approval; evaluation required for incoming students

Grades: 9th-12th

Students will receive instruction that meets the highest artistic standards and helps prepare students for a career in dance, should they choose to pursue this path. Students will expand and explore in greater depth the technical and artistic nature of classical, modern and contemporary ballet.  Students are introduced to a wider variety of classes, including Pointe, Variations, Pas de Deux, Modern, Flamenco, Men’s class and Conditioning. The curriculum will focus on proper posture and rotation, length and extension of the legs in adagio, and proper speed, ballon, and spatial awareness in all allegro work. They are expected to use ballet technique to form expressive, quality movement in classical and contemporary styles of dance. Students in this program may have the opportunity to perform alongside Ballet Arizona’s professional dancers as part of their training. Acceptance in this program is by invitation only from SBAZ. In addition to having opportunities to perform in Ballet Arizona productions, students will perform in the SBAZ Student Showcases, ASA Showcase, Fall Repertoire Recital as well as have other performance opportunities. 

Prerequisites: Audition or instructor approval and separate registration through School of Ballet Arizona. Additional fee required.

Grades: 9th-12th

This program of performing arts preparatory study is designed and designated for students who are planning on professionally pursuing the performing arts, and who will be majoring in their specific area of artistic concentration in institutions of higher education. This course is designed to support students in the rigid and detailed college application and preparation process for performing artists. Students interested in the areas of arts performance, education, and therapy work with a mentor to work on the requirements to complete regular college applications alongside specific arts school applications, audition preparation and practice, and robust and challenging career-specific interviews. 

Prerequisites: Application and Interview

Grades: 12th

ASA Seniors have the opportunity to apply and earn this recognition from the Arizona Department of Education for inclusion on their ASA diploma. The Arizona Arts Proficiency Seal is awarded to graduating high school students who complete the Seal of Arts Proficiency Pathway through ASA.  The pathway is designed to celebrate students who complete a rigorous, standards-based, and high-quality arts education course of study throughout their high school education. All students select an arts teacher as their mentor to meet the requirements and complete an arts capstone project. Seniors have the opportunity to receive the Seal of Arts Proficiency in multiple disciplines.

Grades: 12th

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