Beginning Jazz I

Catalog description

An introduction to the techniques of Jazz dance. DANCE 241 Beginning Jazz I (1) DANCE 241 is an introduction to basic jazz techniques. The course is designed for any beginning student with an interest in jazz dance, those who are BFA Music Theater candidates, and Dance Minors. The work will include awareness of space as related to the barre, floor, other dancers, and environment. The student will learn basic jazz dance vocabulary as well as the awareness of space to stage elements such as audience, direction, focus, and energy. The student's grade will be based on attendance, attitude, and progress of learning and performing dance combinations. More than three absences or lateness will affect the grade. Maintaining a positive attitude, proper discipline, and willingness to work and learn are essential. The student is required to perform individual rehearsal hours (as homework). Students are responsible for learning and executing all material taught in class. This course serves as a prerequisite for DANCE 242 . Together, the two semesters of jazz satisfy requirements for the BFA Music Theater option and the Dance Minor. The BFA Music Theater student will be juried by the School of Theatre Performance Faculty as a part of their final grade. The jury will consist of a showing of the pieces taught in class. This evaluation will help to determine whether the candidate may be allowed to enroll into the next level of the performance sequence. The required dress for men: Jazz shoes, t-shirt or muscle shirt, dance belt, Jazz pants or tights. For women: Jazz shoes, leotard and tights (possible character shoes).