DANCE STUDIES

DEFINITION

Dance is expressive human movement that unifies the physical with the intellectual, the emotional and the spiritual.

It is a unique art form which uses the body as an instrument of communication.

It is a powerful means of unifying people across boundaries of language, cultures, abilities and gender.

FIELD: CULTURE AND ARTS

In Grades 8 and 9, all learners study two art forms out of Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts

Dance Studies is one of the elective options in FET

A vibrant and exciting subject

Inclusive Certain requirements Access previously not

available to most learners in rural areas

Motivation for offering Dance Studies

Develops dancers, choreographers and dance literacy

Prepares learners for entry into further tertiary study and for employment in the dance and related industries.

Develops personal, interpersonal, cognitive, cultural and economic skills and attributes.

Non-negotiable requirements

Specialist teacherHall or double classroom (minimum) with a

sprung wood floorA dedicated CD player/ music systemTimetabling to accommodate double

periods or at least one hour long periodsSecurity after school hours for practising

Learner Selection

Talented, interested or enthusiastic learnersPreferably with previous dance trainingPrepared to commit to additional hours

outside of school time for rehearsals and performances

Class size should not exceed 20 learnersDance form decided by the school’s choice

of teacher

Broad TopicsDance performance including anatomy

and health careImprovisation and composition including

music for danceDance Theory

and literacy

Advantages

Contributes to cultural life of school, community and nation

Produces fund-raising concerts for schoolDevelops focused, dedicated, committed,

self-disciplined, responsible learnersArts act as a mirror to society

Supported by artists in residence

Current ChallengeDance Studies contributes 20 credits like all

other subjectsRecognised for university entranceDance Studies is currently not on the degree

designated list but this list is about to changeMatric graduates need only 4 subjects on the

designated list to qualify for a degree entry. All learners already have 3 subjects on the designated list i.e. Afrik, Eng, Maths/Maths lit) They only need one other elective on the list.

CareersDance Studies prepares learners to be

resourceful, creative thinkers able to create their own opportunities.

A dance teacher can work in the school system, community centre or open a dance school in any school hall, church hall, warehouse etc. and be self-employed.

Tourism and the Entertainment industry provide jobs for dancers

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Dance Company performer, choreographer, director Free lance dancer in

– Musicals, – Operas, – Music videos, – Commercials, – Cabaret

Dance teacher/lecturer Arts and Culture teacher/lecturer Dance/Arts Administrator/ Entrepreneur Dance Curriculum Advisor/Planner, Writer, Historian,

Researcher, Critic Costume or Set Designer Fitness Instructor (Aerobics, Pilates, Nia, Yoga etc)

Futures Not all history learners become historians and

not all dance learners become dancers. Many of our past graduates have become

physiotherapists, doctors, biokineticists, and lawyers!

Over the past 5 years, 14 of Dance Studies graduates have been accepted into the highly acclaimed Jazzart Dance Theatre Training programme and 18+ into UCT School of Dance

CREATIVITY IS A NATIONAL RESOURCE