Topic

Slide/s Number

General FAQs

2-4

The Selection Process FAQs

4

Program Specific FAQs

5-6

General Questions

What kind of dance is taught?

• We explore ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, choreography, improvisation, social/world dances, and technique/body placement.

Are there chances to perform?

• In the Beginner Class
• In a typical year beginner classes have a performance at the end of each semester. Winter students participate in the Winter Concert. Spring students participate in the Spring Concert. Concert participation is optional for beginner students. If this happens, Winter and Spring semester beginner dancers will be able to participate.
• In the advanced Class
• In a typical year advanced classes have a performance at the end of each semester. Winter students participate in the Winter Concert. Concert participation is optional for advanced students. Other performance opportunities for the advanced students include Pep Rallies and District 5 Benefit Concert.

General Questions Continued

Is there a dance team?

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• There is no dance team at this time. I am unsure as to when or if IMS will have a dance team again.

Are there tests and quizzes?

• Yes, there are tests and quizzes. Some quizzes and tests evaluate student movement growth. Some quizzes and tests are based on the knowledge/academics learned throughout the course. There is also a final exam in the beginner and advanced classes. There is no exam for 6th grade.

Can I take more than one year long course?

• Yes, students can take more than one year long course as long as the schedule permits this. Sometimes this is only allowed if one of the year long courses is for high school credit.

What do you learn in dance class?

• Dance history, important people, vocabulary, technique, choreography, and styles are learned in dance class.

Are the dances going to be hard?

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• This answer depends on the individual student. Some students may think the class is easy. Some students may think the class is too hard. Overall, I try to find a balance that challenges each student. Often times there are levels within one class. This way students can work at the pace that suits them best.

General Questions Continued

Will I be challenged in dance class?

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• I hope so. My goal is to push each student to his or her personal best.

Are we just going to do one type of dance?

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• No, we explore many different styles of dance.

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Are we going to do dances I don't know how to do?

• We will likely learn movements that students don’t already know. There will be some movements that students are familiar with, and there will be some movements that students have never experienced before.

The Class Selection Process

Beginner Dance

• There is no prerequisite to take beginner dance. Any student can sign up for this course.
• No audition is necessary.
• 6th-8th grade students may enroll in this elective course.

Advanced Dance

• Advanced dance is for dancers that have dance experience. Audition and approval from the IMS Dance Teacher is required.

Program Specific Questions

What is beginner dance?

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• This course introduces jazz, hip-hop, modern, and ballet, along with dance terminology, history, and choreography. No audition is required. Open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Proper attire, as specified by the teacher, is required.

What is advanced dance?

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• This course is designed to meet the needs of the advanced dancer. Emphasis will be on fundamental techniques and performance skills. Enrollment is by audition or teacher recommendation only.

What is the beginner class like?

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• Beginner Dance Class
• A typical day in the beginner class consists of 5 minutes for dress out, 5 minutes for bellwork/academic dance learning, 10 minutes of academic review/application, a class warm-up, class stretches, learning movement across the floor, learning a short dance combination, and 5 minutes to dress back into school clothes.

Program Specific Questions

What is the advanced class like?

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• Advanced Dance Class
• A technique day in the advanced class consists of 5 minutes for dress out, a class warm-up, class stretches, center technique skills, learning skills across the floor, and and 5 minutes to dress back into school clothes.
• A dance day consists of 5 minutes for dress out, a class warm-up, class stretches, learning a short dance combination, and 5 minutes to dress back into school clothes.
• A choreography day consists of 5 minutes for dress out, a class warm-up, class stretches, time for students to create movement, and 5 minutes to dress back into school clothes.