The SRVHS Dance Department consists of Mrs. MacPhail and Mrs. Ward for the 150+ Students that take dance every year. The dance students are placed into five separate levels: Dance 1-2, 3, 4, or 5. Each level teaches dance skills of increasing difficulty progressing to Dance 5. Dance 1 is only offered Fall semester; in Spring these students move up to Dance 2. Dance 1-2 does not require an audition. Dance 3, 4, and 5 require an audition which takes place in the spring prior to registration. Dances are taught throughout the year and are of different styles which may include jazz, lyrical, musical theater, and occasionally, a little hip hop. All dance courses may be taken for P.E. or Fine Arts credit, and satisfy UC and California State University Fine Arts elective credit.
Dance 1-2
Dance 1-2 is a beginning class that progresses to advanced beginning and intermediate skills. A prospective dancer is taught the basics of dance. Instruction includes how to move, the different types of turns, jumps, leaps, combinations of movement and different styles of dance. Dances and combinations are taught, and students will be asked to create a short choreography assignment. Written critiques may also be assigned. Dance 2 may be repeated by those students who do not qualify for Dance 3, or just chose to remain in the program to dance. Those students in Dance 2 may audition to participate in a dance to be performed in the winter and/or spring dance production. Students selected for the productions must be able to attend extra rehearsals and, of course, all performances. Courses are open to grades 9-12. Freshman may take the class for Fine Arts credit only and must enroll in Frosh PE.
Enrollment in these classes are by audition only. In this class, the dancers are taught increasingly difficult skills. The dancer is expected to choreograph a new dance for the fall and spring shows. The dances are then "auditioned" for their quality and then can be put in the dance shows. The choreographers then directed their fellow students in the number for the productions. Students are required to attend additional rehearsals after school and on some weekends, and requires a greater time commitment. Their grade is based on all work in class and at rehearsals and performances.
Dance 5
Enrollment is by audition only. The dancer is expected to choreograph a new dance for the fall and spring shows. The dances are then "auditioned" for their quality and then can be put in the dance shows. Students are required to attend additional rehearsals after school and on some weekends, and requires a greater time commitment. Their grade is based on all work in class and at rehearsals and performances.Auditions
During spring prior to registration, ALL dancers are required to audition if they want to qualify for, or remain in, an upper level dance classes. The auditions consist of a variety of skills that are included in a dance combination. They are evaluated on their skills, technique, style, and performance level including energy and stage presence. The dancers tryout in pairs and can choose their own partner. The list is posted the next day and students must initial the list to accept their position in the class. The number students qualifying for each level may vary according to the number of students that meet the criteria. Students may repeat a level as development in dance often varies from student to student.
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Dance Line and Can Can
Dance 5 students may also audition for Dance Line and Can Can. The dancers audition for these teams if they want to represent SRVHS at competitions and shows and school assemblies. Of the 14 girls on Dance Line, seven will be chosen to be on Can Can. These dancers perform the famous Can Can dance which is very spectacular and a crowd favorite. Dance Line and Can Can meet Mondays and Wednesdays during A Period.
Competitions
Every year, Dance Line and Can Can compete in the L.A. Dance Force and L.A. Dance Magic dance competitions held in Santa Clara. During the day they attend classes and learn new techniques and styles of dance which are taught by professional dancers/choreographers. The Dance Line piece in usually students choreographed and competes against professional studios and choreographers. Our team has traditionally received at least silver or gold rankings at their competitions. Can Can has placed first or second, with one third place, over the last 20 years of competition.
Tour
For the past twenty years, the Dance LIne has traveled to Los Angeles to take dance classes at The Edge and the Performing Arts Center. They also go to Disneyland to perform their happiest and most entertaining routines. They have lots of fun and come back from the happiest place on Earth having met new and exciting people, and with new and creative dance material.
© 2003 SRVHS