Dance 15 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: None
Dance 15 provides opportunities to study various forms and aspects of dance. These may include Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Modern, Tap, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy and dance history. Classes are structured to focus on individual improvement in strength, technique, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. A performance opportunity during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence.

Dance 25 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: Dance 15
Dance 25 offers students the opportunity to further expand their dance skills and knowledge of dance. Genres of dance explored may include Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Tap, Modern, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy and dance history. Classes are designed to focus on strengthening previously developed skills in technique, strength, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to further develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. Performance opportunities during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence.

Dance 35 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: Dance 25
Dance 35 offers students with a strong interest in dance the opportunity to further expand their skills and knowledge. Genres of dance explored may include the study of Jazz, Hip Hop, Funk styles, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Creative, Ethno cultural, choreography, anatomy, and dance history. Classes are designed to focus on developing advanced skills in technique, strength, flexibility, and style. Students will have the opportunity to further develop the technical skills necessary to create, perform and analyze dance. Performance opportunities during the term will provide the challenge necessary for students to develop confidence and stage presence.

Dance Composition 35 (5 credits)

Prerequisite: General Dance 25 or Pre or Co-Requisite Dance/Ballet 25 (PVA Dancers)
Dance Composition 35 provides an intensive study which enables students to investigate their personal choreographic voice. Students will have the opportunity to experience the role of choreographer – from concept/idea development, to audition, to the rehearsal process, to the production designs, and finally to the actual performance. Students will learn concepts and tools to generate creative movement and new and creative ways to incorporate this movement into a composition.

PVA Dance Program

PVA Dance 15 & Ballet 15 (10 Credits)

Prerequisite: Three or more years of training in any dance form and acceptance to PVA Dance Program.
Students will be placed in the appropriate level of class in September. The dance faculty evaluates dancers based on their technical, artistic and performance skills.

Dance/Ballet 15 is designed to provide students with an opportunity to participate in an intensive study of various forms and aspects of dance. These include the study of Ballet (Classical and Contemporary), Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Ethno Cultural (including African), choreography, improvisation, anatomy, and dance history. Classes are structured to focus on individual improvement in technical foundation and artistic expression. Students will have the opportunity to create, produce, perform and analyze dance. Dancers will experience intensive immersion with dance professionals from the local community. Students alternate between ballet classes and dance classes throughout the year.

PVA Dance 25, Contemporary 25 & Ballet 25 (15 Credits)

Prerequisite: PVA Dance 15/Ballet 15

Students will be placed in the appropriate level of class based on their ability demonstrated in PVA Dance/Ballet 15. Students will continue their investigation of various dance forms, deepening their technical understanding and artistic awareness. Students will continue their investigation of genres previously studied in PVA Dance/Ballet 15, while also being introduced to new forms including Body Percussion/Rhythm, Swing, Locking and Breakin’. Choreographic and performance opportunities may increase, allowing the student to further explore their personal style and expression.

PVA Dance 35, Contemporary 35 & Ballet 35 (15 Credits)

Prerequisite: PVA Dance 25/Contemporary 25/Ballet 25
Co-requisite: Leadership In the Arts 35

Students will be placed in the appropriate level of class based on their ability demonstrated in PVA Dance / Contemporary / Ballet 25.

Students will continue their investigation of various dance forms, deepening their technical understanding and artistic awareness. Students will continue their investigation of genres previously studied in PVA Dance/Contemporary/Ballet 25, while also being introduced to new forms including Latin, Tap, Blues, Vogue, Popping, and House. Students will work towards creating their own movement vocabulary through a solo choreographic and performance project.

PVA Dance Composition 35 (5 Credits)

Prerequisite: PVA Dance/Ballet 15

The Dance Composition 35 curriculum provides an intensive study in the art of dance creation. Students will develop and appreciate the skills required of a choreographer – from concept/idea development, to the rehearsal process and finally to the production design and performance. Students will critique and discuss dance makers of the past, the work of their peers and reflect on their own process and product.

PVA Leadership in the Arts 35 / Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement)

All PVA students are enrolled in one of two courses; Leadership in the Arts 35 or Entrepreneurial Artist (Junior Achievement). These programs of study allow PVA students to explore how they see themselves as artists and become more aware of the process involved in preparing for the marketing and business aspect of being a professional in the arts community. Students will experience a variety of teacher-led assignments/activities as well as a number of student-directed online projects.