Dance Studio Practice is designed to develop a rigorous physical practice in the young dancer in preparation for college-level pre-professional dance training. This four-week course consists of three components: Dynamic Alignment and Conditioning, Ballet Technique, and Contemporary Technique. Course work focuses on learning to dance healthfully, emphasizing placement and alignment principles that lead to the most efficient use of the body. A comprehensive, organic approach to dance encourages students to develop versatility of style and an individual voice through physical practice.

Objectives

• Strengthen concepts of efficient alignment while supporting a healthy dancing body
• Clarify concepts of classical ballet technique as underlying foundations for technical expertise
• Explore a variety of contemporary technical styles, including Cunningham, Limon, and Release techniques
• Develop a unique voice for physical expression

Creative Research in Dance is designed to introduce students to college-level pre-professional practice in choreography and performance. This four-week course consists of three components: Composition, Repertory, and a series of special workshops in Improvisation, Anatomy/Kinesiology, and Dance and New Media. Course work focuses on the development of new choreography through creative generation of movement phrases and an exploration of spatial and temporal aspects of dance composition. Students will create short choreographies to be shared weekly for constructive critical feedback. Throughout the Repertory component students will learn and refine professional-level dance works to be performed in the Final Studio Showing.

 Objectives

• Introduce tools for generating novel movement compositions
• Develop aspects of personal style in composition and performance
• Explore the interpretation and performance of dance repertory
• Investigate newer fields of dance research and integrate concepts from improvisation, kinesiology, and new media into dance practice

Classes take place Monday to Friday, from about 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with attendance at dance performances in the evenings. Weekends include special workshops, rehearsals, and guest dance company lectures and demonstrations.

This sample schedule is based on previous summers to give prospective students an understanding of the highly structured and rigorous training offered in the Tisch Summer High School Dance Program. This sample schedule is an overview of one of the four weeks in the program. Students accepted and confirmed for the program will be given their actual schedule on orientation day.

Monday

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique
1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)
Free night
11:00 p.m. Curfew

Tuesday

9-9:55 a.m. Pilates or Yoga
10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique
1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)
5-7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC
11:00 p.m. Curfew

Wednesday

10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique
11:45 a.m.-1:15pm Contemporary technique
1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Creative Research (composition & solo/group rehearsal)
Free night
11:00 p.m. Curfew

Thursday

9-9:55 a.m. Pilates or Yoga
10-11:30 a.m. Ballet technique
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Contemporary technique
1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Repertory (guest choreographer rehearsal)
5-7:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Performance in NYC
11:00 p.m. Curfew

Friday

10-11:30 a.m. Contemporary technique
11:45 a.m.-1:15pm Improvisation or Partnering
1:15-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Special Workshops (Dance and Technology, Physical Therapy, Movement Science)
Free night
Midnight Curfew

Saturday

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Site-specific composition/improvisation workshop & rehearsals
1-2:00 p.m. Lunch
2-5:00 p.m. Guest company lecture/demonstration (Q&A to follow)
Free night
Midnight Curfew