The Ernest Manning Dance Program fosters communication, creative expression, innovation, self-discipline, collaboration and teamwork. Through the exploration of dance, students are encouraged to take risks in exploring ways to be creative and achieve excellence, to solve problems and to think critically. Students engage intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. In this course sequence, students have opportunities to explore their own identity, develop self-awareness and deepen their appreciation of diverse perspectives, contributing to the development of ethical citizenship.

EM High Dance provides opportunities for students who would like to pursue dance beyond the current Alberta Physical Education Program of Studies. It is also designed for students beginning their study of dance and who have little or no experience with dance upon entry into this course sequence.  Students in dance have an opportunity to develop:

• positive self-concept
• physical, social and emotional skills
• technical proficiency
• contemporary and historical appreciation

The goal of Dance Program is to foster an understanding and appreciation of, curiosity about, and a lifelong interest in dance. This course sequence is designed to expose learners to a broad range of artistic and aesthetic experiences from a variety of disciplines. Dance also contributes to preparing students for a range of exciting and rewarding careers in the arts, as well as careers in which they can draw upon the skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired through dance.

The dance curriculum is designed to expose students to a broad range of aesthetic experiences from a variety of dance disciplines. Teachers may select from, but are not limited to, the following dance genres to meet the learning outcomes:

• Afro Cuban
• Afro Funk
• Ballet
• Contemporary
• Hip Hop
• Indigenous
• Jazz
• Latin
• Step
• Tap
• West African

Dance 15 (5 credits)

No Prerequisite Required

Students learn and apply dance terminology. They examine a variety of characteristics pertaining to several dance genres and dance styles and study the history of dance, through research of various genres, famous performers and famous choreographers of dance. Students also learn a repertoire of dance techniques and skills pertaining to various styles and genres studied in class.

Dance 25 (5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Dance 15 with 65% or higher

Students are expected to further develop and apply their dance terminology. They engage in an in-depth study of famous dancers. Students complete a kinesiology unit in which they study the physiology of human movement, how to prevent common dance injuries, and the development of a healthy body image. As students’ progress in the 25 level, a higher performance quality is expected. They further expand their dance repertoire and their dance skills become more technically challenging

Dance 35 (5 credits)

Prerequisite Recommendation: Dance 25 with 65% or higher

Students are expected to further develop and apply their dance terminology. They engage in an in-depth study and extensive research paper on a famous choreographer of their choice. They research aspects of professional choreography by studying the choreographic process and tools that choreographers use to create a dance composition. At the 35 level, a more advanced performance quality is expected. Their dance repertoire and skills continue to become more refined to meet the technical challenges 

Complimentary Disciplines:

Students also have an opportunity to earn credits in the following dance disciplines:

Contemporary Dance 25 & 35 (5 credits each level)

• This course sequence is designed for students who have previously studied dance.
• The goal of this course sequence is to foster in students an understanding and appreciation of, curiosity about, and a lifelong interest in contemporary/modern dance.
• It is designed to provide students with opportunities to study contemporary/modern dance and to appreciate it as an art form.
• Contemporary Dance 25 and 35 also contributes to preparing students for a range of exciting and rewarding careers in the arts, as well as careers in which they can draw upon the skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired through contemporary dance.

Jazz Dance 25 & 35 (5 credits each level)

• Jazz Dance 25-35 is designed for students who have previously studied dance. 
• The goal of this course sequence is to foster in students an understanding and appreciation of, curiosity about, and a lifelong interest in jazz dance.
• It is designed to provide students with opportunities to specifically study jazz dance and to appreciate it as an art form.
• Jazz Dance 25-35 also contributes to preparing students for a range of exciting and rewarding careers in the arts, as well as careers in which they can draw upon the skills, knowledge and attitudes acquired through jazz dance.

Dance Composition 35 (5 credits)

• Dance Composition 35 is designed for students who have previously studied dance and who wish to extend and enrich their study to include the processes of choreography.
• Students in Dance Composition 35 will explore the role of choreographer and present a final work to an audience.
• In Dance Composition 35, 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 in a safe, supportive environment.
• Dance Composition 35 provides students with knowledge about choreography in contemporary and historical contexts and the opportunity to develop technical proficiency in choreography