Dance

Dance A Level

A-level Dance is an exciting dynamic qualification perfect for students looking to study dance both practically and theoretically. The course will prepare students who wish to pursue dance in further education and or as a career. The course encourages students to develop their creative and intellectual capacity, alongside transferable skills such as team working, communication and problem solving. All of these are sought after skills by higher education and employers and will help them stand out in the workplace. This specification reflects both historical and current dance practices, making it more relevant, and inspires a lifelong passion and appreciation for dance.

Students can expect to study:

Contemporary Dance
Ballet
Jazz
Repertoire from professional works
Choreographic Skills including choreographic devices and structuring processes
Dance History
Influential practitioners and choreographers
Critical appreciation and analysis of choreographers and professional works

The A-level Dance specification requires students to develop, demonstrate and articulate practical and theoretical knowledge, understanding and experience of:

technical and performance skills
the process and art of choreography
the interrelationship between the creation, presentation and viewing/appreciation of dance works
the development of dance placed within an artistic and cultural context
professional dance works and the significance of these works
subject specific terminology and its use.

Component 1: Performance and Choreography (50% of A Level)

Solo Performance and Quartet:

Students must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills required to perform dance, as a soloist and in a quartet. The knowledge and understanding of physical skills, including flexibility, strength, cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, agility, neuromuscular coordination, and kinaesthetic awareness underpin and inform the development of both the physical/technical and interpretative/performance skills.

Students must develop and apply the knowledge, understanding and skills required to perform as a soloist in the style of a specified practitioner.

The practitioner must be selected from:

either

the choreographer of one of the prescribed set works located within an area of study

a named practitioner within one of the prescribed areas of study

Students must learn how to perform as part of a quartet.

The dance can be performed in any dance style relevant to the defined genres

Choreography:

Students must learn how to create an original piece of group choreography, which lasts for a minimum of three minutes to a maximum of four minutes, for three , four or five dancers, in response to an externally set task.

To translate their dance ideas into choreography, students must develop and apply practical knowledge and understanding of choreographic processes, including:

researching , developing and experimenting with dance ideas through studio and non-studio investigation
the rehearsal process.

Component 2: Critical Engagement (Theory) (50% of A Level):

The areas of study cover the genres of modern dance, ballet and jazz dance, offering a breadth of study.

Compulsory Set work: Rooster (Christopher Bruce , 1991)

Students must know and understand the following about Rooster :

the significance of the character of the dance
the subject matter (eg theme or topic) of the dance and its treatment
the form of the dance (eg phrases, sections) and its effectiveness in communicating the subject matter
the Constituent Feature of the dance and their relevance in embodying the subject matter
the choreographic approach (the particular technique, movement style and choreographic style) of the choreographer
the influences affecting the development of the choreographer
the origins of the dance
the relationship between the dance and its context
the importance of the dance in the development of both the choreographer and the genre
the similarities and differences between the dance and other works by the choreographer.

Compulsory area of study: Rambert Dance Company (formerly Ballet Rambert) 1966–2002

Students must know and understand the following about the area of study:

the stylistic features of Rambert Dance Company and how these relate to the genre
the choreographic approach (the particular technique, movement style and choreographic style) of a minimum of two named practitioners from the list above showing the range within the genre, including:
- the influences affecting the development of the named practitioner’s technique and style
- at least two works from the two selected named practitioners
- the importance of the practitioners’ works in the development of the genre in relation to Rambert Dance Company
the position of the genre within history, culture and society
the genre’s capacity to reflect and challenge society
terminology specific to the genre

Named practitioners:

Glen Tetley (born 1926)
Robert North (born 1945)
Richard Alston (born 1948)
Siobhan Davies (born 1950)
Ashley Page (born 1956)
Christopher Bruce (born 1945)
John Chesworth (1930)
Martha Graham (born 1894)

Students must then study the same content for the optional area of study and set work.

Optional set works and areas of study:

Course Breakdown:

Further Education:

A Level Dance will give you access to most degree courses as a recognised A Level qualification, but it is most relevant to giving you access to dance degree courses at University, as well as professional Theatre School’s and Dance Colleges. It is also relevant to many other degree courses within Performing Arts and can contribute to Music and Drama.

Career opportunities within the dance and the performing arts industry can include:

– Dancing professionally in the West End, musical theatre, worldwide touring, music videos and more.

– Costume / Set Design

– Dance Movement Therapy

– Choreography

– Dance Psychotherapy

– Dance Critic

– Teacher of Dance / Performing Arts

– Dance Lecturer

– Dance Director / Producer

GCSE Dance would be beneficial prior to A Level but not essential.

Examination board: AQA