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DANCE

Here at Hurtwood the dance department strive to develop dancers who are: creative, technically proficient, and exceptional performers who are also knowledgeable about the exhilarating world of dance. We have a busy, exciting and thriving department where dance can be studied at A Level as well as an extra-curricular activity for all levels. A variety of classes across a wide range of dance styles are held every day.

 

 

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How Dance is taught at Hurtwood

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

The dance department at Hurtwood offers a vibrant and exciting choice of additional weekly technique classes which are open to all students. There is a great energy and buzz coming from the dance studio daily! These classes are wide-ranging from ballet, jazz, hip hop and commercial, to tap, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theatre. The Dance department also runs the prestigious Hurtwood Dance Company who train for 2 and a half hours every week to develop their technical and performance skills. Students must audition at the beginning of the year to gain a place, and as a result, feature highly in the Hurtwood concert and Dance showcase.

 

The Hurtwood Dance Company

For the experienced dancer the Dance Company is probably the most exciting opportunity at Hurtwood - an intensive two-year training programme for the school's most competent and committed dancers, exposing them to a professional level and pace, developing their stamina and technique and preparing them for dance colleges and for the business itself. A range of professional dancers and teachers from Dance Colleges around the UK visit the school to work with the students to help prepare them for auditions.

Dance Classes

Extra-curricular Dance classes are currently offered in Jazz, Ballet, Contemporary and Tap. These classes are specifically catered to the student’s needs, and are streamed in levels of ability from complete beginners to the highly advanced.

Enigma Dance Options

Every week dance is offered in at least one of the Enigma options. Recent courses have included Street Dance, Come dancing - Latin and Ballroom, Bollywood Dance, Hip-Hop & Commercial Dance and Dance aerobics.

Hurtwood Shows

Hurtwood's three major yearly productions all have a strong emphasis on dance and choreography. Often working with outside professional choreographers, the shows are a great way to experience dance at Hurtwood and put the skills learnt in classes into practice. We also have a more informal summer term Dance Showcase for students to present work.

A Utopia for
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CURRICULUM

The Department follows the AQA A Level course which is assessed both practically and through a written examination. Dance follows a linear programme where all assessment takes place at the end of the second year. The course is evenly split into 50% practical and 50% theory. For the practical component, students are given the opportunity to choreograph their own group dance - for this they effectively become the teacher! Students create on their peers, in response to an examination question set by the exam board during the second year of study. For technique and performance, students prepare two exam pieces. In the first of these pieces, candidates are required to dance a solo in the style of a choreographer, which links to the theoretical component of the course. For the second performance, students are required to dance as part of a quartet. These pieces are both prepared over the course of the two years. As part of technical training, all A1 students work towards Grade 6 Contemporary NATD exam which is taken at the end of the first year. This qualification counts for UCAS points and provides another qualification alongside the A Level.

The theoretical component is assessed through a written examination where students bring together their knowledge of the two areas of study. The compulsory area of study is Rambert Dance Company which is the UK’s leading and oldest contemporary dance company. The second area of study looks at the history of American Jazz from 1940-1975, focusing on key practitioners such as Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse who contributed hugely to the development of the jazz genre. For each of these areas of study a range of practitioners and their works will be explored, with specific focus on the two set works; Rooster by Christopher Bruce and Singin in the Rain by Gene Kelly.

We recommend that all A Level dance students take advantage of the range of extra-curricular dance on offer here at Hurtwood. A Level dancers are expected to attend a supplementary technique class each week to help develop their technique and performance skills.

   
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ETHOS AND AIMS

Through the A Level programme, we aim to develop the three fundamental areas of performing, choreographing, and appreciating dance. These skills are developed within a variety of theoretical and practical classes that take a holistic approach. We nurture our students through technique classes in contemporary, ballet and jazz, as well as choreographic and performance workshops. In theory classes students are introduced to a wide range of professional dance works and are welcomed to discuss the subject matter of these pieces, which often tackle issues relevant to society today.