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.

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Introduction to dance technique, specifically in Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary Modern Dance. Emphasis will be on the development of basic skills, energy, strength, control, breath, alignment, continuity and connectivity, and rhythmic and bodily awareness. No prior training is necessary or expected.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

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 ones self through honoring ones abilities and limitations, while growing ones 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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 103 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (MW 9:00AM - 10:15AM)

Focus is on contemporary dance, a form that is an evolving exploration of expression through movement. It will blend the challenges of full-bodied, momentum-driven dancing with a sense of ones own self-awareness and discovery. Through rigorous dancing, move beyond not only physical, but also artistic boundaries and dimensions.

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Social dance plays an important role in every society, simultaneously fostering community and self-expression. From the Waltz to Contra 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 the United States from the countrys founding 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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

This course explores dance improvisation as a practice and technique for self-expression, performance and composition. By opening our senses and learning tools for generating movement in real-time, students will unite their bodies and minds to engage in spontaneous investigation and creation. Specific theories and techniques based in the work of Anne Bogart, William Forsythe and Laban Movement Analysis will be explored in addition to wider concepts such as scores, collective composition and site-specific work. The main goals of this class are to provide students with the freedom to explore their own movement-based research interests and to develop their individual artistic voices within a structured environment. Students will also strengthen their presence, intuition, self-awareness and decision-making skills

Location

Todd Union Room 107 (MW 9:00AM - 10:15AM)

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 ones 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 2-3 labs on Fridays throughout the semester will be required. Dates TBD. Clusters: (H1DAN009) Mind-Body Somatics and (H1DAN010) Dance and Performance

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 6:30PM - 7:50PM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

A continuation of Dance 181.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

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.

Location

O'Brien Residence Hall Room 104 (MW 8:00PM - 9:15PM)

Exploration of world cultures through dance. Dance literacy through movement and embodied dance history. Investigates historical and anthropological significance of dance as well as provides an experience of the movement qualities of different world cultures.

Location

Lechase Room 103 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

This course will focus on the structure and function of the skeletal and muscular systems primarily in order to explore efficiency of movement, alignment, and body connectivity. Additionally, the class will explore topics that promote well-being such as: nutrition, hydration, rest, joint health, injury prevention, basic injury treatments, and fitness and strength practices that support the demands of dance. The class will include reading, discussion, research, creative approaches, writing, and kinesthetic practice. The course requires 4 workshops that will be scheduled with the class outside of regular class time.

Location

Todd Union Room 107 (TR 9:40AM - 10:55AM)

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.

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

A study of Taijiquan, (also known as Tai Chi Chuan 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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 3:25PM - 4:40PM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (F 10:00AM - 12:20PM)

Blank Description

Location

O'Brien Residence Hall Room 104 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

This experiential course invites pausing and reflecting on the habits of mind, cultivating awareness of the present moment, which is the only moment available to learn and live. Students will be guided in meditation 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. To facilitate establishing a personal practice, attendance will be required at DAN218 meditation labs on Fridays. You must register for Lab when registering for the main section. Cluster: (H1DAN009) Mind-Body Somatics

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 8:40AM - 10:10AM)

To facilitate establishing a personal practice, attendance will be required at meditation labs on Fridays

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (F 9:00AM - 9:50AM)

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 ones practice. Prerequisites:DAN 114 or DAN 216 or equivalent experience with instructor's permission.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 103 (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

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. Prerequisite: Previous tap dance experience is expected.

Location

O'Brien Residence Hall Room 104 (MW 10:25AM - 11:40AM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (F 12:30PM - 3:30PM)

Foundations and Principles of Dance/Movement Therapy examines the ways dance/movement therapy in the west has integrated Asian concepts, natural movement, formal elements of dance, creative processes, music, verbal expression, and constructs drawn from psychology and counseling to treat a wide range of populations. Students will compare and contrast the treatment of individuals seeking help for a range of concerns (e.g., psychosis, autism, anxiety, eating disorders, histories of abuse). Experientials, creative dance, and videotapes of actual sessions with a variety of populations highlight these concepts. Dress comfortably and be prepared to move.

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

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.

Location

(TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

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.

Location

Todd Union Room 107 (TR 11:05AM - 12:20PM)

In this course, students practice contemporary dance forms and examine concepts influenced by Laban/Bartenieff theories. Classes explore patterns of total body organization and connectivity, efficiency of movement, weight sensing, and somatic practices. Students develop self-awareness and technical skills while addressing artistry and self-expression. The course looks at Contemporary Dances rich history and its influence on 21st century forms. In addition to movement practice, students participate in discussions, workshops and performances. Students can register for either section A or B during initial enrollment. A first-day placement class will determine appropriate section for each dancer

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 11:50AM - 1:35PM)

In this course, students practice contemporary dance forms and examine concepts influenced by Laban/Bartenieff theories. Classes explore patterns of total body organization and connectivity, efficiency of movement, weight sensing, and somatic practices. Students develop self-awareness and technical skills while addressing artistry and self-expression. The course looks at Contemporary Dances rich history and its influence on 21st century forms. In addition to movement practice, students participate in discussions, workshops and performances. Students can register for either section A or B during initial enrollment. A first-day placement class will determine appropriate section for each dancer.

Location

O'brien Hall Room 105 (MW 11:50AM - 1:35PM)

This fall course provides a forum for dance majors, especially with a concentration in Dance Studies, to develop ideas for their interdisciplinary research projects. Juniors or Seniors taking this course will be introduced to various research methods, as well as viewing, reading about and experiencing existing interdisciplinary and collaborative work. Working under advisement of the instructor, students will identify a mentor within the Program of Dance and Movement, as well as an advisor from a partnering discipline when appropriate, who agrees to provide external feedback. In preparation for creating a Senior thesis, students engage in individualized research, concept planning, and drafting written and performative material. To support the research in this course, students may participate in internships, lab work, creative practice, service learning, and/or other community-based work.

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, weight sensing, rhythm and somatic practices to develop and improve technical skills. We will also investigate subtlety and individual expression in performance. Experience in dance required. Having already taken DAN250 is helpful.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 11:50AM - 1:35PM)

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, weight sensing, 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 266: Intermediate Contemporary Dance

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 11:50AM - 1:35PM)

Practice and performance of classical and contemporary ballet with a contemporary approach in order to serve the dancer of any style of movement. Within the ballet form, classes will explore efficiency of movement, breath, anatomical mechanics, strength, alignment and through-line, weight, rhythmic accuracy, clarity of space, shape and effort, and somatic practices to develop and improve technical skills. Prerequisite:DAN 116 or permission from Instructor.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

Practice and performance of classical and contemporary ballet with a contemporary approach in order to serve the dancer of any style of movement. Within the ballet form, classes will explore efficiency of movement, breath, anatomical mechanics, strength, alignment and through-line, weight, rhythmic accuracy, clarity of space, shape and effort, and somatic practices to develop and improve technical skills. Prerequisites: DANC 268 or DANC 252 or permission from Instructor

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

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.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (MW 1:55PM - 3:15PM)

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 Movements 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. 

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

Taught by a long-time member of Les Ballets Africains, the national ballet of Guinea, instructor Fana Bangoura will introduce students in this course to dynamic dance traditions of West Africa and will join with them the power of percussion. Students will also become familiar with the origins and cultural significance of each dance, and the songs that accompany them. By breaking down the drum parts alongside the traditional dance movements, students experience dancing and drumming in perfect unison. This opportunity is geared for both drummers and dancers and is highly recommended for all skill levels.

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 103 (MW 4:50PM - 6:05PM)

Improve Strength, Flexibility and Self-awareness of the body. This class will explore Traditional forms of Middle Eastern Dance such as Egyptian Raks Sharqi, Turkish, Tunisian and Moroccan. History, Costuming, and Culture from these countries will be experienced. Class will include meditative movement, dance technique, improvisation and rhythm identification through music and drumming. Discourse and research topics will explore issues of gender, body image, historical perspectives and Orientalism.Clusters: Movement and Culture, Dance and Performan

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 6:30PM - 7:45PM)

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 Mosstons Spectrum of Teaching Styles, Blooms Taxonomy, Arthur L. Costa and Ben Kallicks Habits of Mind, and Howard Gardners Multiple Intelligences. This course explores designing creative, comprehensive, and engaging lessons for dance studios and geared for both the student interested in arts in education and in teaching creative dance. Open to all levels.

Location

Todd Union Room 107 (TR 12:30PM - 1:45PM)

Sansifanyi offers experienced dancers the opportunity to study West African dance forms as well as studying cultural history and context from which and in which they are performed at a professional level. This course requires a high degree of student commitment. Dancers who enroll in Sansifanyi will learn choreographic techniques for West African dance and gain experience dancing as soloists. They will also focus on rhythmic timing, and on advanced skills such as how to combine movement with drumming. In addition to the time students spend in class, dancers in the ensemble are expected to spend several hours per week researching, reading, writing, viewing videos, text and article analysis, practicing, and choreographing various rhythms, songs, movements, and sequences. Dancers must also be available for performances both on and off campus throughout the semester.   Clusters: Improvisation and the Creative Process, Movement and Culture, Dance and Performance. Prerequisite: One of the following: DAN181/182, DAN 283, DAN 253, DAN 285. For Drummers one of the following MUR168A, MUR168B, MUR14

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 106 (TR 7:30PM - 7:50PM)

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 7:51PM - 9:00PM)

Sansifanyi offers experienced dancers the opportunity to study West African dance forms at a professional level, and requires a high degree of student commitment. Dancers who enroll in Sansifanyi will learn choreographic techniques for West African dance and gain experience dancing as soloists. They will also focus on rhythmic timing, and on advanced skills such as how to combine movement with drumming. In addition to the time students spend in class, dancers in the ensemble are expected to spend several hours per week researching, practicing, and choreographing various rhythms, movements, and sequences. Dancers must also be available for performances both on and off campus throughout the semester

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 8:00PM - 9:30PM)

Sansifanyi offers experienced dancers the opportunity to study West African dance forms as well as studying cultural history and context from which and in which they are performed at a professional level. This course requires a high degree of student commitment. Dancers who enroll in Sansifanyi will learn choreographic techniques for West African dance and gain experience dancing as soloists. They will also focus on rhythmic timing, and on advanced skills such as how to combine movement with drumming. In addition to the time students spend in class, dancers in the ensemble are expected to spend several hours per week researching, reading, writing, viewing videos, text and article analysis, practicing, and choreographing various rhythms, songs, movements, and sequences. Dancers must also be available for performances both on and off campus throughout the semester.   Clusters: Improvisation and the Creative Process, Movement and Culture, Dance and Performance

Location

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 104 (TR 7:50AM - 9:00AM)

Spurrier Gymnasium Room 106 (TR 7:30PM - 7:50PM)

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 2020.

Location

O'Brien Residence Hall Room 104 (TR 2:00PM - 3:15PM)

Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed thru the instructions for online independent study registration.