Rooted in dance, martial arts and studies of body development and awareness. A duet form where partners use weight, momentum, and inertia to move each other freely through space. Solo and duet skills, rolling, falling, balance, counter-balance, jumping, weight sharing, spirals explored. Skill work combined with more open dancing in a supportive and focused environment. No previous dance training required.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

Yoga is defined as “union”, the uniting together of ourselves in all aspects- body, mind, heart, spirit. This class introduces the student to a hatha yoga method which integrates a dynamic and engaging approach to living through practicing “on and off the mat.” The goal of this class is to learn how to create a deeper, more enlivened relationship to one’s self through honoring one’s abilities and limitations, while growing one’s skills and sensitivity in the supportive environment of the class community. Students will engage with principles of attitude, alignment and action in a full range of hatha yoga poses, breathing techniques, readings on yoga philosophy, reflection, journaling and discussion. Through this ongoing process, students of yoga are encouraged to cultivate a more expansive and clear perception of self and others. Attendance in selected workshops and performances are required.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: GYM

This course will approach ballet technique through the lens of somatic practices, placing an emphasis on dynamic alignment, movement efficiency, connectivity, articulation, phrasing, and breath support. While the primary focus is on an embodied practice, students can expect to develop an appreciation for aspects of the ballet aesthetic while considering theoretical aspects related to historical and socio-cultural contexts.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

Body conditioning aimed to develop and strengthen specific musculature as it pertains to physical demands of dancers, athletes, martial artists, as well as those who wish to explore a mindful, physical and anatomically sound practice. Will introduce fundamental strength training based in Pilates, hands-on bodywork and basic movement sequences designed to help prevent injury as well as build core strength, endurance, coordination and overall physical mobility and stability.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Vernacular jazz movement as it relates to jazz music and its historical context. Stylistically eclectic courses will blend the challenges of full-bodied, culturally influenced dancing with a sense of one's own self. Development of basic skills, energy, strength, control, continuity, and rhythmic and bodily awareness.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

Social dance plays an important role in every society, simultaneously fostering community and self-expression. From the Waltz to Square Dancing, Ragtime Dances to Rock n’ Roll, and Tango to Salsa, this course explores the history and culture of several social and popular dances in America from 1800 to the present. Students discover how cultural beliefs are embedded in social dance practices, and how, vice versa, social dance practices can help shape changing norms and behaviors. Through a mixture of lectures, readings, discussions, video-viewings and experiencing the basic steps, each social dance form studied is contextualized within its time period. The course as a whole considers patterns of cultural change across the decades in terms of gender, race, class and social identities. No previous dance experience is necessary.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

This course is designed for those with some experience in dance who wish to explore mechanisms for generating movement and dance through improvisation. Through movement exploration, reading and discussions, students will become familiar with the process of spontaneous creation.  We will explore various aspects of improvisation including Scores, Site Specific Work, Contact Improvisation and the work of chance.  Through investigation, students will strive for full embodiment, presence, and intuitive awareness.  The course works with theoretical concepts based in (but not limited to) Forsythe Improvisation Technologies, fundamentals of Laban Movement Analysis and other cultural forms of performing arts in the pursuit to understand improvisation as practice, technique, performance and composition. Supporting inspiration and freedom for the exploration of artistic expression and development is at the forefront of this class. 

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

LIN 167M & DAN 167M: Ecolinguistics: Language & Movement This new course is a combined investigation of linguistics and movement. In the context of sustainable living, the course will examine how verbal and non-verbal expression manifest and shape overall well-being. Every year, a different theme will be addressed. The themes for this year is: Knowledge and Expertise. The course will address questions such as: What aspects of language create credibility? What does it mean to know something physically? How does movement lead to knowledge? How is expertise evident in language or in movement? What role does verbal and non-verbal language play in epistemology? The course is cross-listed to bring students from each discipline together to deepen their study of human expression by offering additional perspective to the mutually fascinating subject of language. 

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

From subtle intrinsic movement to whole body integration, students will have the opportunity to experience several somatic modalities and discover what it means to be fully alive in movement and stillness. Mindful Awareness provide the foundation for listening inwardly to one’s immediate embodied experience. From this felt sense and the inherent wisdom of the body, students will be encouraged by various practitioners to explore Alexander Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals, Body-Mind Centering®, and Continuum Movement. This work can be powerful for dancers, and others who are inquisitive, in becoming more open, present, resilient and centered. Experiential practice, readings, discussion, and reflective writing will comprise the course. Participation in 3-4 labs throughout the semester will be required.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

An art form of self-defense with aerobic and dance elements that brings together a harmony of forces. Through history, movement and culture, students gain self-confidence, power, flexibility, endurance, and tools towards self-discovery. Open to all, Capoeira balances the body, mind, and soul and enables one to break through limits, revitalizing oneself for everyday life.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Dynamic dance traditions of Guinea, West Africa. Accompanied by live music, students learn footwork and movements for several rhythms and acquire familiarity with the physical stance common to many styles of West African dance. Learn to execute movements together with the rhythmic foundation provided by our drummers and become familiar with the origins and cultural significance of each dance, and the songs that accompany them.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

A continuation of Dance 181.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

PREREQUISITES: DAN 181

Originated in the boroughs of New York City, hip hop has grown to become a global phenomenon, influencing the lives of countless individuals with the core ideals of peace, unity, love and having fun. The class will provide a look into the historical origins and social importance of hip hop culture. The main focus will be on the original dance of hip hop culture - breaking, (also known as bboying). The class format is geared towards physical movement along with lectures, videos and opportunities to attend events in the community.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

A continuation of DAN 104 that is taught concurrently with the introductory course. Students in DAN 203 will gain a deeper experiential and intellectual knowledge of contact by exploring issues further. Work includes both more advanced practice with other DAN 203 students, and the experience of helping teach the DAN 104 students the basic principles of contact.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

A study of Taijiquan, (also known as T’ai Chi Ch’uan or “Tai Chi”), a traditional Chinese martial art, and its intimate relationship to the cosmological, physiological, and philosophical conceptions found in the culture and thought from which it emerged. The course investigates both the traditional Chinese philosophy and movement aspects of Tai Chi in order to better understand the integration of human body, mind, and spirit. The Simplified 24-Step Taijiquan (Ershisi Shi Taijiquan) is learned, along with the foundation skills of the Eight Methods or Energies (Ba Fa), Reeling Silk (Chan Si Gong), Pushing Hands (Tui Shou), and Standing Pole meditation (Zhan Zhuang). Tai Chi is not only a valuable cross training exercise for the dancer, but also provides training for relaxed strength, whole body coordination, balance, centered alignment, timing, weight shifting and moving with fluid grace.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Qi Gong is a ancient Chinese internal art and an early forerunner of Tai Ji Quan. It is an Eastern Movement Discipline (EMD) which embodies a holism of Eastern martial arts and Eastern meditation. This course is a study of the philosophical roots, mindful practices and physical movements of Qi Gong in order to better understand and attain the integration of body, mind, and spirit. Topics will include traditional Chinese cultural concepts such as Yin-Yang theory, Five Element theory and Qi theory and their potential inclusion in modern Western culture. Qi Gong provides the dancer and athlete with healthy lifestyle practices and fitness training for better breathing, body awareness, focus and concentration, mental presence, imagery, and cultivating and expressing energy flow.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

This experiential course invites pausing and reflecting on the habits of mind. Cultivate awareness of the present moment, which is the only moment available to learn and live. Students will be guided in mindfulness and insight techniques, relaxation, and other mindfulness practices. Incorporating mindfulness into daily life, class discussion, reading, and writing assignments will support understanding and personal growth. This new course offering is part of the Mind-Body Somatics Cluster (H1DAN009)

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

In this course, students with prior yoga and/or dance experience will learn how to refine their skills through a continued exploration of asanas, pranayama, philosophy, and meditation. We will explore a more rigorous vinyasa flow practice, resulting in students developing more clarity regarding alignment, breath support, core aliveness, and, ultimately, body/self-awareness. While this is an individualized practice, the importance of community will be emphasized throughout as students share aspects of their practice with each other. Readings, discussion, and reflective writing are inherent to deepening one’s practice.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: GYM

PREREQUISITES: DAN 114 or DAN 216 or equivalent experience with instructor's permission.

Expand upon your tap dance foundation. Discover techniques essential for the study of Rhythm Tap Dance including subtle weight shifts, articulate footwork, and dynamics. Explore the physical interpretation of rhythm through the art of tap dance and the practice of improvisation.

BUILDING: OBRN | ROOM: DANCE

PREREQUISITES: Previous tap dance experience is expected.

This is an introductory design course aimed at giving students exposure to light as a medium, lighting design, lighting equipment, and visual story telling for performance through class discussion, and practical work. This is a 2 credit course and only meets a few times throughout the semester from 12:30-3:30pm on 7 Fridays that are TBD. Students will be required to attend dance performances and will help install the light plot. The class is built around specific performance dates that will provide the students with an opportunity to light a dance piece.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Dance/Movement Therapy Foundations examines the field’s approaches to (1) enhancing personal, professional, and creative development, and (2) treating a wide range of challenges (e.g., autism, anxiety, eating disorders, abuse, developmental challenges, and psychosis). To these ends, students will learn how Dance/Movement Therapy integrates natural movement, formal elements of dance, music, language, psychology, counseling, neuroscience, and concepts drawn from Asian approaches to healing. Improvisational dance, music-making, role plays, live music, and videotapes of actual sessions highlight these concepts. Dress comfortably. Be prepared to move. Participation in 3 labs during the semester will be required.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Dance is powerful. Art is a tool that inspires social change. This course examines the relationship between social activism and artistic practice, exploring this integration in dance, art, music, and film. Through a combination of lecture and experiential learning, students will be invited to explore creative social engagement practices to understand the impact of arts in activism while also investigating the creative perspective in successful social movements. Emphasis will be placed on socially engaged art as a practice and philosophy, creative composition within effective social movements, and the power that art can have in promoting social change.

BUILDING: TODD | ROOM: 107

Dance appreciation, experiential practice and movement observation are the overarching areas of focus in this course. In an relaxed and intimate setting, students will experience contemporary dance through examining dance concepts influenced by Laban/Bartenieff theories, Bill Evans pedagogy, and eclectic contemporary and modern dance influences. Through the exploration of basic movement developmental patterns and complex choreographic combinations, classes will explore patterns of total body organization and connectivity, efficiency of movement, use of momentum and weight sensing, musculo-skeletal anatomy, alignment, Body, Effort, Shape, Space, rhythm and somatic practices to develop and improve self-awareness and dance skills. Through viewing/discussion, we will also investigate the context, history, applications and societal impact of Modern and Contemporary dance. Open to all levels. (Core course for Majors, Minors, Clusters)

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Continuing technical development and comprehension and integration of theory into practice is the focus in this course. Students will practice contemporary dance experientially through examining dance concepts influenced by Laban/Bartenieff theories and by exploring complex choreographic combinations. Classes will explore continuity and connectivity, patterns of total body organization, efficiency of movement, momentum, musculo-skeletal anatomy, strength, alignment, gravity and weight, rhythm and somatic practices to develop and improve technical skills. We will also investigate subtlety and individual expression in performance. Pre-requisite: DAN 250: Interm.Contemporary Dance: Context and Practice

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Continuing technical development and comprehension and integration of theory into practice is the focus in this course. Students will practice contemporary dance experientially through examining dance concepts influenced by Laban/Bartenieff theories and by exploring complex choreographic combinations. Classes will explore continuity and connectivity, patterns of total body organization, efficiency of movement, momentum, musculo-skeletal anatomy, strength, alignment, gravity and weight, rhythm and somatic practices to deepen the investigation and mastery of technical skills. We will also continue to work on deepening the understanding or artistry as it pertains to subtlety and individual expression in performance. Pre-requisite: DAN 250: Interm.Contemporary Dance: Context and Practice

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

PREREQUISITES: DAN 250

Experiment with various methods of dance-making and focus on examining craft in the service of choreographic expression. You will be encouraged to curiously and playfully embody manipulations of movement material to better understand different points of view and to explore the elements of time, space, shape and effort to see how they affect quality and content. Drawing from dance, visual art, music, current events, writings and other sources, we will explore diverse approaches to creativity, experimentation and choreography.

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

Dancer as Collaborator is a one-credit movement course engaging students as dancers for choreographic work generated from the DAN 278 Choreography class and/or the Program of Dance and Movement’s Fall Concert. DAN 279 students act as collaborators in that they embody and perform the choreographers’ concepts and vision and participate in creative process. Rehearsals will average twice weekly for the bulk of the semester. Pieces created in this course will be included in the Fall concert, the End of the Term Showings, and/or other Program approved performance opportunities throughout the semester. Enrollment is by permission of instructor. Please email requests to m.p.smith@rochester.edu.

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PREREQUISITES: Enrollment is by permission of instructor. Please email requests to m.p.smith@rochester.edu.

Improve strength, flexibility and self-awareness of the body. Includes meditative movement, dance technique, improvisation and rhythm identification through music and drumming.  Dance forms such as Egyptian, Turkish, and American Tribal will be taught.  Traditional costuming will be addressed. History, art, and culture from these countries will be explored and experienced.  Discourse and research topics will explore issues of gender, body image, historical perspectives and Orientalism. 

BUILDING: SPURR | ROOM: DANCE

DAN 296 explores designing creative, comprehensive, and engaging lessons for dance studios and K-12 classrooms. Pedagogical areas of study include: Lesson and curriculum planning, teaching methods, assessment, inclusive classrooms, alignment with state and national teaching standards, and formulating a teaching philosophy. Students will have the opportunity to work directly in a studio setting and with K-12 students, developing, teaching, and evaluating lessons of their own design. Includes pedagogical theories such as Muska Mosston’s Spectrum of Teaching Styles, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Arthur L. Costa and Ben Kallick’s Habits of Mind, and Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. This course is geared for both the student interested in arts in education and in teaching creative dance. DAN 296 requires prior experience in Program of Dance and Movement technique or somatic classes, or other dance experience.

BUILDING: TODD | ROOM: 107

Students in this capstone course will write, choreograph, perform, implement and/or carry out research, performances and/or projects. All students, regardless of their trajectory (choreography, performance or interdisciplinary research) will write a senior thesis, develop and realize their projects under advisement, consider and discuss various career opportunities and develop curriculum vitae. Practice in grant-writing, budgeting, marketing and general arts management skills will be addressed when appropriate. Creative process and creative and critical thinking are a focus of this course and are carried through to a culminating event, paper, or project. Internships, other coursework as part of the major, co-curricular dance activity, service learning and/or other related activity is meant to support this capstone research both in advance of and in simultaneity with this Seminar.

BUILDING: TODD | ROOM: 107

PREREQUISITES: Dance Majors and Dance Minors only.

Within a choreographic process, students experience the creation of new work and/or repertory that will be adapted in order to draw on the unique artistry of each of the dancers. Experience a rehearsal process from beginning to end, addressing a variety of performance techniques and carrying out various production aspects of performance as well as performance itself in various public settings. The group will likely have the opportunity to travel and perform at the American College Dance Association Conference in Winter 2019.

BUILDING: | ROOM:

PREREQUISITES: Permission of instructor or by Audition on the first day of classes.

Within a choreographic process, students take part in the creation of new work or works. Students will be asked contribute movement and other creative elements in order to draw on the unique artistry of each individual. Experience a rehearsal process from beginning to end, addressing a variety of performance techniques and the unique and personal artistry that is yours alone. Students will also carry out various production aspects of performance as well as performance itself in various public settings, most likely including the American College Dance Association Conference in winter 2019. Pre-requisite: DAN 385

BUILDING: | ROOM:

PREREQUISITES: DAN 385

Within a choreographic process, students take part in the creation of new work or works. Students will be asked contribute movement and other creative elements in order to draw on the unique artistry of each individual. Experience a rehearsal process from beginning to end, addressing a variety of performance techniques and the unique and personal artistry that is yours alone. Students will also carry out various production aspects of performance as well as performance itself in various public settings, most likely including the American College Dance Association Conference in winter 2019. Pre-requisite: DAN 385 & DAN 386

BUILDING: | ROOM:

PREREQUISITES: DAN 385 & DAN 386

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BUILDING: | ROOM: