Dance
There are many options for students interested in pursuing dance at Newton Country Day. We believe that all students should have the opportunity to develop healthy bodies, communication, teamwork, discipline, expression, grace, and courage through dance. Acting on that belief, all students in the Middle School participate in the dance program and stage two major performances each year. In the Upper School, students may participate in Dance Technique––designed for beginners or those returning to dance––or Dance Collaborative––for those with previously developed dance technique. Advanced senior Dance Collaborative students are encouraged to work collaboratively with faculty to choreograph their own works. Non-curricular opportunities also exist for students interested exploring dance for the first time or developing skills in pointe. The Upper School dance program stages two major productions each year.
Middle School
All Middle School students participate in our Dance program. By the end of Grade 8, our dancers will understand the basic fundamentals of ballet and modern dance techniques, gain experience performing dance as an expression of prayer, and be exposed to a wide variety of other dance genres. Each dancer will perform in a variety of time signatures and develop an understanding of the relationship between rhythm and musicality. Middle School Dance classes educate students in basic anatomy and kinesiology principles. Students are encouraged to experiment and engage deeply in the movement invention process. Rooted in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, students come to understand and know that dance is a universal language and integral to cultures all around the world.
Skills Emphasized
- Technical skills: core support, balance, weight-transfer, coordination
- Creative skills: improvisation, movement, invention
- Collaboration: working effectively with peers to create and refine dances
- Performance: memorization, spatial awareness, rhythmic interpretation
- Feedback and revision: critiquing work constructively and making adjustments
Grade 5 Dance
This course provides an introduction to folk dance, liturgical dance, concert dance, and creative dance. The year begins by defining dance through a multicultural perspective. Folk dances from around the world demonstrate how dance has historically served as a means to celebrate, pray, and build community. A cross-disciplinary unit exploring Native American dance and music as expressions of prayer segues into the study of contemporary liturgical dance. Students present original liturgical choreography at our Advent Vespers Prayer Service in December. Throughout the year, the practice of modern dance and classical ballet teach technical exercises that build coordination. A visit to the Boston Museum of Science deepens students' understanding of the functional and expressive capabilities of the human body. Students think analytically about how their bodies move as they learn to invent their own movement.
Overview of Topics
- Folk dance
- Liturgical dance
- Fundamentals of dance technique (modern, ballet)
- Human anatomy as a source of inspiration for movement invention
- Concert dance performances
Skills Emphasized
- Technical skills: core support, balance, weight-transfer, coordination
- Creative skills: improvisation, movement invention
- Collaboration: working effectively with peers to create and refine dances
- Performance: memorization, spatial awareness, rhythmic interpretation
- Feedback and revision: critiquing work constructively and making adjustments
Signature Activities
- Italian tarantella folk dance with tambourines
- Native American dance and song as prayer: cross-disciplinary work with history, music, and religious studies courses
- Hall of Human Life exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science: cross-disciplinary work with wellness course
- Advent Vespers prayer service performance in December
- Celebration of the Arts performance in May
Grade 6 Dance
In this course, students come to understand dance as a language which we use to communicate our thoughts, ideas, and feelings with one another. Grade 6 dancers study dance as a form of story-telling and engage in projects that create connections between their dance curriculum and other academic disciplines. Highlights of this course include learning a Japanese folk dance, studying dance as a form of prayer, building their ballet, modern and jazz dance vocabulary, as well as engaging in exercises exploring improvisation and choreographic composition. The curriculum includes an introduction to Bartenieff based movement principles, with an emphasis on each student developing their kinesthetic sense through active, multi-sensory learning.
Overview of Topics
- How does studying folk dance help us learn about different cultures and foster both diversity and inclusivity?
- How does practicing liturgical dance enhance the experience of prayer by engaging the body, mind, and spirit in a unified expression of faith and worship?
- What skills/techniques should a dancer study to become a strong dance performer?
- How does studying dance history serve as a foundation for artistic growth and cultural appreciation?
Signature Activities
- Learning the Tankō Bushi from Japan
- Performing in the Advent Vespers Prayer Service and Celebration of the Arts
- Exploring Bartenieff based on movement exercises
- Cross-curricular exploration of Shakespeare's works
Grade 7 Dance
This course provides a broad foundation in dance technique, dance composition, and dance history. As students learn and practice dance fundamentals from the modern, ballet, and jazz vocabularies, they are introduced to the history and cultural context of these dance disciplines. Choreography assignments challenge the students to think critically and creatively. The Five Elements of Dance (body, action, space, time, and energy) are formally introduced in this course and used as a basis for movement invention. A unit in liturgical dance prepares students to perform in the Advent Vespers Prayer Service in December. In the spring semester, particular focus is given to the art of storytelling as the students learn original choreography for the Celebration of the Arts performance in May. Past performances include the Aztec myth, “Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus” and Lois Lowry’s young adult novel, The Giver.
Overview of Topics
- Folk dances
- Fundamentals of dance technique
- History and evolution of classical ballet and early modern dance
- The Five Elements of Dance: body, action, space, time, and energy
- Storytelling: using movement to convey narratives and emotions
Signature Activities
- Folk dances to understand dance as a metaphor for culture
- Perform liturgical dance choreography for the Advent Vespers Prayer service
- Storytelling through dance for the Celebration of the Arts performance
- A Midsummer Night's Dream cross-disciplinary project with English 7 course
Grade 8 Dance
In this course, students study the fundamental dance elements and skills of ballet, modern, jazz, and contemporary dance disciplines. They engage in codified dance techniques and vocabulary; progressing from practice and demonstration to performance. Students gain a fuller understanding of and appreciation for the artistic integrity of dance with in-depth study of its history. Integral to world-wide cultural heritage and traditions, dance fosters a global community. Students experience a myriad of movement initiatives through improvisational activities and creative projects, including the annual Hope for Humanity choreographic dance installation. Students discover the dynamism of dance to inform and effect change in furtherance of a humane world. Students are inspired by Goal III; schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to social awareness which impels action. Interdisciplinary collaborations provide investigative opportunities for new discoveries exemplified in a Dance and Coding unit. Technical and artistic endeavors garner experiential learning. Students participate in liturgical dance in preparation for the annual Advent Vespers Prayer Service and engage in process-oriented repertory for the spring dance concert in the Middle School Celebration of the Arts.
Overview of Topics
- Identify/demonstrate movement skills as they pertain to established techniques
- Apply instruction through understanding of fundamental dance concepts
- Comprehend that dance is a means of communication
- Consider dance as integral to world-wide cultures and global community-building
- Implement the connections between dance and health
- Immerse artistic and spiritual dancing into preparation for the annual Advent Vespers and year-end Celebration of the Arts
Signature Activities
- French ballet vocabulary and modern/contemporary terminology
- Ballet, modern, and contemporary techniques
- Cultural folk dances: creating global community
- Advent Vespers Prayer Service: lessons, practice, presentation
- Hope for Humanity: choreographic dance installation
- Dance and coding: movement and mathematics. sequences, combinations
- Celebration of the Arts: spring dance concert performance
Upper School
In Upper School Dance, students progress from foundational technique in contemporary dance forms, to the creation and performance of original choreography for the stage and the screen. As they advance through the dance program, students collaborate in ensemble work, deepen their technical proficiency, and serve as mentors to younger dancers, culminating in leadership roles as they perform at school events like the Advent Vespers Prayer Service and Festival of the Arts. The integration of choreography, technology, and performance provides a holistic experience that connects the body, mind, and spirit to cultivate creativity and self-expression. Students ready to be challenged at the honors level engage in composition theory and analysis, and create individual choreographed works to be presented on our stage and abroad.
- Dance Technique
- Dance Collaborative I
- Dance Collaborative II
- Dance Collaborative III
- Honors Dance Composition
Dance Technique
Dance Technique students study three fundamental dance disciplines: ballet, modern, and jazz. Students practice the core principles of each methodology and demonstrate an understanding of each technique through execution of movement vocabulary. The primary goals of this course are to obtain dynamic body alignment and move the body with maximum efficiency, as well as build community through performing as an ensemble. Over the course of the year, students are introduced to progressively complex steps and combinations, are challenged in the use of space and rhythm, and work towards the ability to quickly memorize and retain dance sequences. Students learn two pieces of original repertoire that are showcased in our Advent Vespers Prayer Service and Festival of the Arts.
Dance Collaborative I
Dance Collaborative I is a repertory-focused course of study for students who have previous dance training. While building an increased technical foundation, students gain an appreciation for the artistic integrity of dance as a discipline. Students develop greater strength, flexibility, stamina, alignment, and coordination through the art and craft of producing choreography and performing. Students learn and explore various choreographic devices and develop an understanding of dance as a language. Music, visual art, various media, and dance history serve to complement movement discovery in creating original repertory work. Dance presentations include performances in the Advent Vespers Prayer Service and Festival of the Arts. Prerequisite: Dance Technique or previous dance training outside of Newton Country Day School
Dance Collaborative II
Through the art and craft of producing choreography, and performing for both the stage and screen, students learn about choreographic devices and develop an understanding of dance as an art form and a language used to communicate. Dance and technology become a focus of this course of study through a yearlong investigation of screendance as a form of art. Dance Collaborative II students study ballet, modern, and contemporary jazz dance disciplines throughout the entirety of this course while also engaging in extended exploration of improvisation in the video dance-making process and developing digital non-linear editing skills. Original dance works created throughout the course of the year are showcased in our annual Advent Vespers Prayer Service and in the Festival of the Arts. Prerequisite: Dance Collaborative I or departmental approval
Dance Collaborative III
Dance Collaborative III builds upon all of the technical and choreographic skills acquired in Dance Collaborative I and II. The dancers in this course serve as leaders in our dance program and are tasked with assisting faculty in the rehearsal process as well as serving as mentors to underclassmen. This course serves as a culminating experience in our dance program and upon completion of this course, students have a deep understanding of dance as a language and are able to produce and perform their work, organize and present their ideas to a wide audience, and demonstrate technical proficiency in the contemporary dance realm. Performance opportunities include dancing in the annual Advent Vespers Prayer Service, in Newton Country Day Mass and Chapel services, and in the Festival of the Arts. Prerequisite: Dance Collaborative II or departmental approval
Honors Dance Composition
Honors Dance Composition is an advanced course of study for dancers currently enrolled in Dance Collaborative. This course serves to deepen students’ understanding of the choreographic practice and challenges them to speak to a broad view of artistic and social issues. The course asks each participant to engage in movement research, inquiry, analysis, performance, and to help serve as an art advocate within the community. The primary goal of the course is to create original dance compositions that are showcased in performances such as Advent Vespers, Festival of the Arts, and Masses. Part of the Honors Program, this course is intended to provide a more rigorous academic pace and students are given choreographic assignments to be completed outside of their scheduled class periods. Prerequisite: a minimum of two consecutive years of dance training. Must also be enrolled in a Dance Collaborative course and complete an evaluative audition in the Spring term.
Dance Committees
Danse Esprit
Danse Esprit is primarily designed to encourage new dancers to explore the medium and skilled dancers to further incorporate dance into their schedules. While building strong technique is at the foundation of this committee, it is not an ideal substitution for our curricular dance programs. This committee strives to be a fun, welcoming environment for anyone interested in exploring dance. The committee performs annually.